 | The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
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| The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
Anne Merewood, MA, IBCLC, The Breastfeeding Center, Boston Medical Center, 850 Harrison Ave, ACC 5, Boston, MA 02118, 617-414-6455, anne.merewood@bmc.org and Barbara L. Philipp, MD, IBCLC, Division of General Pediatrics, Boston University School of Medicine, Maternity Building, 4th Floor, 91 East Concord Street, Boston, MA 02118.
Background: Methadone is used to treat individuals overcoming an opiate addiction. In 2001, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) reversed a recommendation of almost 30 years, stating that breastfeeding was compatible with methadone maintenance therapy (MMT) regardless of maternal dose. This position change means that all US maternity hospitals will need to update their policies on methadone use and breastfeeding. Boston Medical Center (BMC) is an inner-city hospital with UNICEF/WHO Baby-Friendly status for breastfeeding promotion and support. Currently, all women in the Boston Public Health Commission Methadone Treatment Program give birth at BMC. Objective: This presentation will review the new AAP recommendations in the light of current practice among women on MMT, and will describe the challenges and rewards of implementing the AAP policy in the hospital inpatient setting during the first 2 weeks postpartum. Method: Clinical practice reports and case studies will be used to illustrate obstacles encountered and demonstrate strategies used to support breastfeeding among this vulnerable population. Results: These examples will demonstrate that implementation of complex and potentially controversial policy can be achieved, but require team effort and staff buy-in in order to succeed. Implications: Conclusions and discussion will address implementation of this policy at the national level.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Breast Feeding, Drug Abuse Treatment
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.