Breastmilk feeding for mothers and infants with opioid exposure: What is best?

With rare exception, breastfeeding is the optimal way to feed infants, and has special benefits for women and infants with perinatal opioid exposure. Infants breastfed and/or fed their mother's own breastmilk experience less severe opioid withdrawal symptoms, have shorter hospital stays, and are less likely to be treated with medication for withdrawal. The specific impact of mothers' milk feeding on opioid withdrawal may be related to the act of breastfeeding and associated skin-to-skin contact, qualities of breastmilk, healthier microbiome, small amounts of opioid drug in breastmilk, or a combination of these.
Source: Seminars in Fetal and Neonatal Medicine - Category: Perinatology & Neonatology Authors: Source Type: research