Red flags — call us immediately or go to the Emergency Department if:
- Your baby is unusually drowsy or hard to rouse (infant sedation)
- Your baby's breathing seems slow, laboured, or irregular (call 112 immediately)
- You feel you slept through your baby's cries overnight
- You are taking more than prescribed or have been on the medicine for more than 4 weeks
- A rash that does NOT fade when you press a clear glass on it — sepsis sign
- Fever in a baby under 3 months (any temperature ≥ 38.0 °C)
- Fast breathing, blue lips, or sucking-in of the ribs — breathing emergency
- A fit/seizure, or your child becomes floppy or unresponsive — general red flag
What zopiclone and zolpidem are
Zopiclone (Imovane) and zolpidem (Stilnox) are prescription sleeping tablets. They work by calming brain activity through GABA receptors — the same general mechanism as benzodiazepines, though they are a different chemical class. They are typically prescribed for short-term insomnia — no more than 2–4 weeks. Postpartum insomnia is very common, and these medicines are sometimes prescribed to help new mothers get rest.
How much passes into breast milk
Both medicines pass into breast milk. For zolpidem, the relative infant dose is usually below 1 % of the mother's daily dose, adjusted for weight. For zopiclone it is a little higher — approximately 1–3 %. These amounts are low. For most healthy, full-term babies, the risk is considered low, especially if you take the tablet just before bed and there is a gap before the next feed. However, very young newborns (under 4 weeks) and premature babies metabolise these medicines much more slowly and face a higher risk of sedation.
What current guidance says
LactMed lists both zopiclone and zolpidem as probably compatible with short-term use during breastfeeding, with monitoring. The UK Drugs in Breastmilk Information Service advises caution for young infants but considers occasional or short-term use at low dose acceptable. Zolpidem has slightly more favourable data than zopiclone. Guidance universally cautions against bedsharing while using these medicines.
What to watch for in your baby
Watch for unusual drowsiness, difficulty rousing your baby for feeds, or slow, irregular breathing. These are rare at the doses typically used but are the key risks to monitor. If your baby is under 4 weeks old or was premature, extra caution is warranted. Contact your GP or paediatrician if you notice any changes in your baby's alertness or breathing.
Safe sleep while taking sleeping tablets
This is the most important safety point. A sedative-hypnotic can make you sleep more deeply than usual. If you bedshare, this significantly increases the risk to your baby — you may not wake when your baby needs you or rolls into a dangerous position. While you are taking zopiclone or zolpidem, do not bedshare. Use a bedside cot or safe separate sleep surface. Ask your midwife, ONE / Kind & Gezin nurse, or health visitor for safe-sleep advice.
If anything changes
Do not bedshare while taking zopiclone or zolpidem — use a separate safe sleep surface for your baby. Watch for unusual drowsiness in your baby. If your baby's breathing seems slow or irregular, call 112 immediately.
Emergency? Call 112. Do not wait for a reply from us.
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Message us on WhatsAppReviewed and signed off by Dr Didier Decamps on 5 September 2026. This is general information and does not replace an individual assessment by a qualified clinician.
Written with AI assistance. Reviewed, corrected and signed by Dr Didier Decamps, paediatrician.
Last reviewed: 5 September 2026