A new study suggests that women who get epidural anesthesia during childbirth may have difficulty with breastfeeding in the short and long term.
It was found that women who received an epidural with the narcotic fentanyl seemed to have more problems with breastfeeding than women who did not have an epidural.
The women reported more difficulty with breastfeeding in the first week of child birth, and were twice as likely to have given up breastfeeding by the time the baby was about 6 months old.
Though it is still not clear whether epidurals were the reason for difficulty, there is strong evidence from other research also that fentanyl can hinder infants’ ability to suckle.
Although it’s not yet certain whether epidural drugs directly cause problems with breastfeeding, it is important that women be aware of the possibility, so that they can make informed decisions about analgesia, and seek advice on successful breastfeeding.
Experts recommend that babies should be fed only breast milk for the first 6 months, and then continue breastfeeding even after solid foods are introduced, for at least the first year of life. It would be good if breastfeeding is continued till the baby is of 18 months.
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