Breastfeeding and Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome: Supporting Mothers and Healing Infants

Learning to feed is one of the first challenges every newborn must overcome. For babies experiencing Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS), that challenge can be much greater. Withdrawal can make it difficult to coordinate sucking, swallowing, and breathing while increased muscle tone, irritability, gastrointestinal discomfort, and higher calorie needs can turn every feeding into hard work. Something as natural as finishing a bottle or latching to breast can require tremendous patience, specialized support, and countless small victories.

In honor of National Breastfeeding Month, we’re highlighting the important role nutrition plays in the recovery of infants experiencing NAS. Breastfeeding can provide significant benefits for moms and babies, but is it safe for mothers receiving treatment for opioid use disorder to breastfeed their babies?

The answer is yes, for many mothers who are stable on MOUD.

Women who are stable on Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) and meet medical guidelines can often safely breastfeed. Mothers who choose to breastfeed are supported throughout the process after discussing their plans with our medical provider to ensure it is the safest and healthiest option for both mother and baby. 

Research has shown that breastmilk offers numerous benefits for infants experiencing NAS. It is easier to digest, can help soothe gastrointestinal discomfort that is common during withdrawal, provides important immune protection, and has been associated with less severe withdrawal symptoms and shorter lengths of stay for some infants. During pregnancy, mothers are encouraged to participate in Jacob’s Hope’s breastfeeding class to learn what to expect, build confidence, and prepare for their baby’s arrival.

Every mother and baby are different, which is why feeding plans at Jacob’s Hope are individualized. Whether an infant is breastfeeding, receiving expressed breastmilk by bottle, formula feeding, or using a combination of feeding methods, our medical team carefully develops a plan based on the baby’s medical needs, growth, and ability to feed safely.

Supporting successful feeding takes more than simply offering a bottle or helping with a latch. Our specialized nursery allows nurses the time to provide one-on-one feeding support that simply isn’t possible in many traditional care settings. Combined with our calm, low-stimulation environment, babies can focus on feeding without unnecessary distractions while nurses recognize hunger cues, adjust feeding techniques, and provide individualized support throughout each feeding. Babies may benefit from side-lying positioning, paced feeding, frequent rest breaks, or trying different bottle and nipple combinations until the best fit is found.

For mothers who choose to breastfeed, our support extends well beyond encouragement. Hospital-grade breast pumps are available throughout each mother’s stay to help establish and maintain milk supply, and mothers are provided with an electric breast pump to take home after discharge so they can continue their breastfeeding journey. Our lactation consultants are also available to provide hands-on guidance, answer questions, and help mothers build confidence every step of the way.

Our mission extends beyond helping babies feed successfully while they are with us. We work alongside parents throughout their stay, teaching feeding techniques, recognizing infant hunger and stress cues, and building confidence before they return home. Every peaceful feeding, every ounce gained, and every moment of connection helps lay the foundation for a healthier future for both baby and family.

 

Nurse Spotlight

Question: What is one feeding milestone that always makes your day, and why?

Tanya Perry, RN Supervisor: “I love when a baby finishes their whole bottle for the first time! It’s such a major accomplishment for our little ones who struggle to eat, and it brings so much excitement and relief to their parents. We always celebrate that first whole bottle!”