Presentation Information

Medication and Breastmilk in the NICU

• Speaker: Wendy Jones , PhD, MRPharmS
• Presentation Type:
• Duration: 60 Mins
• Credits: 1 CERP, 1 Nursing CEU, 1 CME

Abstract:

For optimal health, a baby born pre-term should be enabled to breastfeed as soon as possible or to receive expressed breastmilk from their birth mother. Where this isn't an option, donor breastmilk can be used. Breastfeeding a pre term or otherwise vulnerable baby in NICU is challenging, and where medications are involved there may be additional barriers. The baby may need medication to treat its own medical needs, the birth mother may also need medication and it is important to consider the risks of these passing through breastmilk. If the baby is to receive donor breastmilk then it is essential that the donor is not taking anything that might impact on the health of the recipient baby. In this presentation some of the barriers will be discussed along with discussion on how these may be overcome using the limited evidence base available.