Breastfeeding Infants in Women with Opioid Use Disorder

Cheryl King1

  • 1Cheryl King, DNP, RN, CNS, is an assistant professor in the School of Nursing and Health Professions at Colorado Christian University, Lakewood, CO. She has 35 years of expertise in neonatal intensive care, emphasizing high-risk obstetrical care for the family.

An interprofessional approach from healthcare professionals can assist the woman with opioid use disorder (OUD) to become free of using opioids during pregnancy and beyond. These vulnerable women and their newborns need extended community support. The purpose of this article is to provide foundational information and standards that support the collaboration of community professionals in providing healthcare and treatment options for the woman with OUD to promote the family unit remaining together, support bonding, and encourage lactation/breastfeeding. Women with OUD need guidance from Christian nurses and the community as they transition to sobriety, motherhood, and breastfeeding.

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