This NHS content is written for people in England. Medicine names, availability, prescribing and services may differ in other countries.
Methadone and pregnancy
You may need to take methadone when you're pregnant, especially if it stops you from using heroin.
If you become pregnant while taking methadone, speak to your doctor or prescriber. They'll make sure you get a special care plan for you and your baby. You'll also get extra clinic visits from your doctor, midwife or key worker.
Your dose of methadone may need to be adjusted as your pregnancy progresses.
If you take methadone at the end of pregnancy, it may affect your baby. Your midwife will check your baby for withdrawal symptoms and arrange treatment in hospital if needed.
Methadone and breastfeeding
If your baby is healthy, you can usually take methadone if you're breastfeeding. You'll be managed by a specialist team who will help you decide.
Only small amounts of methadone pass into breast milk. It's important to keep taking your methadone to help reduce your withdrawal symptoms and heroin cravings.
Breastfeeding can benefit you and your baby. If you're taking methadone, it may also help to reduce your baby's withdrawal symptoms if they have any.
It's also important not to stop breastfeeding suddenly. This may cause babies to get withdrawal symptoms.
It's important not to share a bed with your baby while you're taking methadone.
It's very rare for breastfed babies to have side effects from medicines you're taking. But it's important to keep monitoring your baby if you're taking any medicine while breastfeeding.
Contact your healthcare professional or call 111 as soon as possible if you notice that your baby:
- is not feeding as well as usual or putting on weight as you would expect
- is unusually irritable
- has diarrhoea or is being sick
- has constipation
- has a rash
Go to A&E or call 999 now if your baby:
- seems unusually sleepy
- is having difficulty breathing
- seems unusually pale, sweaty or is shaky
Ask for advice about whether to keep breastfeeding and taking your medicine.
Information
Do not drive to A&E. You can ask someone to drive you or call 999 and ask for an ambulance.
Bring all the medicines you or your baby takes with you.
If your baby has any symptoms that are not listed, or if you're worried about them, you can also call 111 or contact any healthcare professional.
View the original NHS website page ↗. Refreshed 19 August 2026.
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