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Updated: May 23, 2026

Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
Published on: August 25, 2014
Neonatal benzodiazepines exposure during breastfeeding
Lauren E Kelly1, Shirley Poon, Parvaz Madadi
1Schulich School of Medicine, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.
Objective:
To assess central nervous system depression and other adverse effects in infants exposed to benzodiazepines through breast milk.
Study Design:
A prospectively recruited, retrospectively assessed cohort study of mothers who contacted the Motherisk program regarding the safety of benzodiazepines and were invited to participate in a follow-up program regarding the effects of these medications on their infants during lactation.
Results:
A total of 124 consenting women participated. Adverse outcomes, specifically sedation, was identified in only 1.6% (2 of 124) of infants and was not associated with benzodiazepine dose, number of hours breastfed, or any demographic trait. Mothers reporting adverse outcomes in themselves (26% [32 of 124]) were more likely to be taking concomitantly a greater number of central nervous system depressants.
Conclusions:
This study supports the continued recommendation to initiate breastfeeding while taking benzodiazepines postpartum.
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