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.