MAT During Pregnancy & Breastfeeding: What You Need to Know

A safe, evidence-based guide for expectant and new parents

NOTE: The below is intended as general information and not personalized medical guidance. if you have specific questions about your case, speak with a licensed medical provider, such as Affect.

💬 Quick Overview

Many pregnant or breastfeeding people worry about taking Suboxone or other medications for opioid use disorder (OUD). You may wonder:

• Is it safe for my baby?

• Will CPS be involved?

• Can I breastfeed while on MAT?

• Should I try to quit on my own instead?

Here’s the truth backed by decades of medical research:
👉 Staying on MAT during pregnancy is safer than stopping.
👉 Breastfeeding is usually encouraged while on Suboxone.
👉 Being in treatment protects both you and your baby.

This guide explains everything you need to know about MAT, pregnancy, postpartum safety, and your legal rights.

🧠 Is It Safe to Take Suboxone During Pregnancy?

Yes — for most patients, it is recommended.

MAT (Suboxone or buprenorphine) dramatically reduces the risks associated with opioid use during pregnancy:

• overdose

• preterm birth

• infections

• placental abruption

• stillbirth

• withdrawal from suddenly stopping opioids

Medical guidelines from SAMHSA, ACOG, and ASAM all agree:

The safest choice for you and your baby is to stay on medication, not to detox suddenly.

👶 What About the Baby? Understanding NAS (Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome)

Some babies born to people taking Suboxone may experience NAS, a temporary and treatable withdrawal syndrome.

Here’s what’s important:

• NAS is not the same as addiction.

• NAS is common and manageable.

• Babies typically recover within days to a few weeks.

• Being in treatment leads to lower rates of complications than using opioids without treatment.

Suboxone (buprenorphine) is associated with shorter and less severe NAS than methadone (ACOG, 2017).

🟩 Should I Stop Using Opioids Cold-Turkey During Pregnancy?

No.
Suddenly stopping opioids can lead to:

• miscarriage

• preterm labor

• fetal distress

• relapse (which sharply increases overdose risk)

That’s why medical organizations strongly recommend maintenance treatment, not detox.

💊 Suboxone vs. Subutex During Pregnancy

You may have heard that some doctors prefer buprenorphine-only (Subutex) during pregnancy.

Here’s the current medical view:

• Both Suboxone (buprenorphine/naloxone) and Subutex (buprenorphine alone) are considered safe.

• Naloxone has extremely low absorption when taken properly and does not reach the baby.

• Many modern guidelines allow staying on Suboxone if you are stable and doing well.

Your provider will help choose the best option based on your history, dose, and stability.

🍼 Can I Breastfeed While Taking Suboxone?

Yes — in most cases, breastfeeding is encouraged.

Buprenorphine passes into breastmilk in very low levels that are not harmful to newborns (ACOG, 2021). Studies show:

• Breastfeeding can reduce NAS symptoms

• Babies tend to be calmer and require less medication

• Parents feel more connected and supported

Exceptions may apply if:

• you are using other non-prescribed substances

• your baby has specific health risks

• your provider recommends otherwise

Most patients on MAT can safely breastfeed.

🛡 Will CPS Get Involved If I’m in Treatment?

This is one of the biggest fears — and one of the most misunderstood.

Here’s the truth:

✔ Being in treatment dramatically reduces the chance of CPS involvement.

Providers are required to support safety, not punish recovery.

✔ Taking medication as prescribed is not considered substance misuse.

CPS does not remove children for being on Suboxone.

✔ Many states consider MAT during pregnancy “evidence of care,” not neglect.

You are doing the medically recommended thing.

If you have specific concerns about your state, your care team can guide you.

💛 What If I Relapse While Pregnant?

You should not hide it — and you will not be punished for honesty.

Your provider’s job is to:

• stabilize you

• keep you and your baby safe

• adjust your medication

• support you without judgment

Relapse is a medical event, not a moral failure.

🧭 Your Pregnancy & MAT Safety Checklist

✔ Stay on your medication — don’t stop suddenly

✔ Attend your prenatal visits

✔ Communicate openly with your provider

✔ Ask about comfort meds if you experience withdrawal

✔ Breastfeed if you’re able — it’s usually encouraged

✔ Reach out if you slip or relapse

✔ Make a postpartum support plan (your team can help)

You are not alone in this — and you’re doing something incredibly strong for yourself and your baby.

📘 Citations

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2017). Opioid use and opioid use disorder in pregnancy (Committee Opinion No. 711).

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2021). Breastfeeding and the use of human milk.

American Society of Addiction Medicine. (2020). National practice guideline for the treatment of opioid use disorder.

SAMHSA. (2021). TIP 63: Medications for Opioid Use Disorder.

Jones, H. E., et al. (2010). Neonatal abstinence syndrome after methadone or buprenorphine exposure. New England Journal of Medicine, 363, 2320–2331.

Debelak, K., et al. (2013). Buprenorphine + breastfeeding outcomes. Journal of Perinatology, 33(9), 763–766.