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May 26, 2007

Warning To All Mothers

July 03, 2007 05:49 PM EDT

views: 44 | rating: 10/10 (6 votes) | comments: 10

I just found out I'm pregnant (with my first) and decided to share the following email with everyone that I received. Thanks, Michelle C

Baby Dies From Toxic Breast Milk

Codeine prescribed for postnatal pain can produce deadly concentrations of morphine in breast milk.
A lawsuit over the death of Toronto newborn Tariq Jamieson, who died as a result of opiate toxicity in his mother's breast milk, has renewed the debate over prescribing such drugs as Tylenol 3 to breastfeeding mothers.

Tariq's mother Rani was prescribed Tylenol 3 for lingering episiotomy pain. Although Tariq was initially healthy, he developed increasing lethargy after the seven-day mark, and after 11 days he was brought to a pediatrician due to concerns about his skin color and poor feeding. Two days later, Tariq died.

Tariq was found to have high blood levels of acetaminophen, and a blood concentration of morphine six times higher than would normally be considered safe in a neonate. Tylenol 3 contains both acetaminophen and codeine, which is metabolized to morphine in the body. However, not everyone metabolizes codeine at the same rate. Rani Jamieson was an ultra-rapid metabolizer of codeine to morphine, which means that the opiate built up in her breastmilk very fast.

While ultra-rapid metabolization of codeine occurs in about 1 percent of Caucasians, it occurs in as much as 30 percent of some African and Asian populations.
National Review of Medicine June 15, 2007
http://v.mercola.com/blogs/public_blog/Baby-Dies-From-Toxic-Breast-Milk-20388.aspx

Tags: first time moms, mom, breast feed, first time, breast feeding, parent, parenting

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Comments: 10

Michelle C. Jul 3, 2007, 5:49pm EDT

I don't know if this is true? Thought I'd share with everyone, though.

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Tina R. Jul 3, 2007, 5:55pm EDT

oh my gosh I just nearly had a heartattack - my sister's name is Michelle C on here and I thought she was saying she was pregnant!!! WHEW!!!!!!!!

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Lisa Frost Jul 3, 2007, 5:55pm EDT

I have heard that this can be true, but you should talk to your dr. about anything. It is always best to avoid anything you can when you breastfeed your baby. Many medications transfer through the milk to your baby, so it is best to avoid as much as you can while you are breast feeding. try to catch illnesses early, so you don't have to take large doses of anything to clear anything up. Just make sure your doctor is aware of everything you are taking including OVERTHE COUNTER VITAMINS, HERBS, AND HOMEOPATHIC MEDICINES AND CURES.

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Michelle C. Jul 3, 2007, 6:35pm EDT

I thought it had to do with what medicine you receive during labor? Maybe I misunderstood the email and its meds you take after? I don't take many meds in general (unless I'm probably in labor- that may be different), but in that case, in general taking meds- I'd have nothing to worry about. I might take Tylenol or headache meds-related meds, maybe once a year? I'm not much a believer in meds. unless its really needed.

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Janice (What Would Buffy Do?)B. Jul 3, 2007, 7:10pm EDT

I wondered about the codeine and did without it at my last birth. See! trust your instincts. A good rule of thumb with breastfeeding is to assume everything will get through.

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*Carol ~Bronx Southern Belle D. Jul 3, 2007, 9:01pm EDT

Warning:
Stay off the Internet while pregnant. Don't read anything. Speak to your doctor or mother. The horror stories I have heard. Here's what I think: Look around you. How many healthy people do you see? That's not an exception for your baby. Odds are quite good that your baby will be perfect. Don't ruin this time with reading terror reports. Take care, and God bless you and your family.

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Jenna S. Jul 3, 2007, 9:46pm EDT

Most anything mother's eat or take while breastfeeding can be passed down in breastmilk. I would be cautious if you were going to be needing meds or something and choosing to breastfeed. As everyone said make sure to talk to your doctor.

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