Expert: ruth kraft - 11/15/2010

Question
Hello,

Just had my daughter 2 weeks ago and I was put on ibuprofen &
hydrocodone by the hospital since delivery! I noticed that my daughter has
been sleeping longer and spend just couple minutes awake then as sson
as she latch on she's right back to sleep again! I didn't take any pills at all
for the whole ( wanted to know if I can tolerate the pain) and noticed that
she's MORE awake AND can't seem to get a good sleep which made her
very fussy! Never seen like that before since I gave birth to her since she's
always asleep! Are my meds making my daughter sleepier/drowsy and is it
affecting her? Should I continue taking them or should I just stop
altogether! (everynow and then I would feel like stiches poking my skin
and it's uncomfortable especially when I set down! I tore up when I
delivered so I got stitches down there! No episiotomy just my baby tore
me up :)) Also when should I stop taking them? The meds makes me
drowsy myself but it also helps me fall to sleep easily! First time mom and
still discovering so many things about my baby :) Thank you for your time!

-First time Mom in Las Vegas :)  

Answer
It is likely that the meds you are on are effecting your daughter and making her sleepy.Anything you are taking will go through your milk and get to the baby.  If you are still in pain, then you should still take them as your doctor perscribed. If you no longer need them, then wean off them. You will both get into your natural sleeping patterns as time goes on and there are no meds you are taking :)

I hope that helped!