Is it Safe for My Baby?

Risks and recommendations for the use of medication, alcohol, tobacco and other drugs during pregnancy and breastfeeding

For Immediate Release: June 18, 2003 - Toronto - Expectant and breastfeeding mothers no longer need to be confused about how much coffee is safe to drink when pregnant, if the nicotine patch is a good option when breastfeeding or if the medication they are taking may be unsafe for their babies. To help answer their questions, the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) has recently published an information booklet called Is it Safe for My Baby? Risks and Recommendations for the Use of Medication, Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding.

"The most important issue for a developing baby is to have a healthy mother. This booklet will help pregnant and breastfeeding women get more information about the safety of medications and other substances in order to make informed choices," explains Wende Wood, a designated specialist in psychiatric pharmacy and CAMH's Drug Information and Drug Use Evaluation Pharmacist. This new 33-page resource is written for women who are planning a pregnancy, are pregnant or breastfeeding, and for the people who care and are concerned about them. Health care professionals interested in providing this type of information to their patients/clients will also find it useful.

The relative risk and safety of caffeine, alcohol, tobacco, psychiatric medications, sedatives, illegal drugs, over-the-counter medications and herbal remedies when pregnant or breastfeeding are just a few of the over 200 substances covered in this important resource. It also provides recommendations and alternatives to discuss with health care providers.

Is it Safe for My Baby? is available in English and French for $2.50 if purchased individually or $15.00 for a package of 10 booklets. Copies are available from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health at 1-800-661-1111 (or 416-595-6059 in Toronto), by e-mail at marketing@camh.net , or by fax at 416-593-4694. Information on addiction and mental health issues can be obtained by calling CAMH's 24-hour Information Line at 1-800-463-6273 or in Toronto at 416-595-6111.

Media and the public are invited to attend the launch of the publication:

Thursday, June 19th, 2003 6-8 pm
Caversham Booksellers 98 Harbord St. Toronto
Contact Rosalicia Rondon for more information
(416) 595-6653

The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health is a Pan American Health Organization and World Health Organization Collaborating Centre and a teaching hospital fully affiliated with the University of Toronto.

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Media contact: Anne Ptasznik, Media Relations Co-ordinator, (416) 595-6015.

Is it Safe for My Baby?

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