Figure 1. Safety guidelines for codeine use during breastfeeding.

Motherisk safety guidelines for codeine use in breastfeeding pamphlet given to all expectant mothers with planned caesarean sections at St. Michaels Hospital in Toronto, Ontario, Canada (14). Women were advised to take codeine for as short a period as possible (3–4 days postpartum) and were advised to seek the care of a physician if they required pain medication beyond this point. Mothers were also advised to breastfeed before taking codeine to maximize the time to eliminate codeine in between feeds. ©Motherisk Program and The Hospital for Sick Children. Reprinted with permission from the Canadian Family Physician.