Breastfeeding study does not have enough evidence to blame painkillers

It is known that breastfeeding rates in Britain are among the lowest in Europe, particularly the duration rates. Many midwives observe that in their practice, some babies may be slow to breastfeed after birth because of the effect of pain-relieving drugs given to their mothers in labour. We also know that some of these drugs have the potential to cross the placental barrier.
This study, based on the Cardiff Births survey, has made the association between drugs given to mothers to prevent haemorrhage after birth and low breastfeeding rates. However, it is just an association and yet another variable to add to the numerous reasons that prevent women from having a successful breastfeeding experience.

One of the drugs in question, oxytocin, is given routinely to all women after birth to prevent haemorrhage; along with blood transfusions and antibiotics it is one of three key interventions that have had a significant impact on maternal survival rates over many decades in the UK and elsewhere.

An alternative explanation is simply that the types of women who may refuse the injection are the same types of women who are likely to breastfeed successfully. It would therefore be a mistake and potentially dangerous to come to any conclusion of causality from the survey without substantially more evidence.

The last UK infant feeding survey highlighted among other issues a lack of access to advice and support as a key reason why women do not continue to breastfeed. In addition, some parents continue to be bombarded with inappropriate information and generally, we are a society where bottle feeding is seen as the norm and in that context, messages about "breast is best" are not enough.

Many new mothers need positive support and encouragement to breastfeed, especially in the immediate period after giving birth. We know that the quality of support that mothers receive at this crucial time can determine their likelihood of continuing to breastfeed successfully.

However, two factors militate against this: the shortage of community midwives because they are being pulled from working in the community to work in understaffed maternity units; and the reduction and the lack of provision of antenatal and postnatal support classes, which are regarded as a Cinderella service in some areas of the country and usually are the first services to be cut.


Breastfeeding study does not have enough evidence to blame painkillers - Times Online