Webinar: Breastfeeding Recommendations for Women Impacted by Opioid Use Disorder and Infants with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome

The prevalence of Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) among pregnant women and neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) by infants have been rising with the increasing severity of the opioid crisis. Improving the identification and treatment of pregnant women with OUD and the care of infants with NAS (a type of withdrawal syndrome that can cause hyperirritability, feeding challenges and respiratory issues), is critically needed. When women with OUD seek medical care and support, it is an opportunity for them to receive prenatal care appropriate to their needs. Women should be made aware that breastfeeding can play a key role in the treatment of NAS by decreasing its duration and severity. Providers should understand that some women may feel ashamed to discuss their struggle with opioids or fear the consequences. This webcast will provide resources for identifying pregnant, breastfeeding, and post-partum women with OUD, strategies and tools for discussing it with them, and approaches to refer them to the most appropriate options for support and follow up.

Program Objectives 

After watching this webcast participants will be able to:

• Summarize the impact of opioid use on maternal and infant health outcomes;
• Explain how to identify women and infants impacted by opioid use;
• Describe the importance of breastfeeding and mother-infant bonding during OUD and NAS;
• Discuss best practices to support women with OUD to successfully breastfeed their infants; and
• Identify strategies and referral practices to enhance the continuity of care and follow-up support across service areas.