Neonatal abstinence syndrome following abrupt cessation of breastfeeding

Neonatal abstinence syndrome is seen commonly in infants born to women on m ethadone maintenance. Many of these infants are breast-fed but few data are available on the distribution of methadone in breast milk, particularly fo r women receiving doses greater than 60 mg daily. We report two infants who appeared to develop neonatal abstinence syndrome, after abrupt discontinua tion of breast-feeding by women receiving 70 mg and 130 mg of methadone. Wo men on methadone maintenance on high doses should be counselled to wean bre ast-feeding gradually.