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Home > Is This Safe When Breastfeeding? > Illness/Surgery

Breastfeeding when mom has surgery

Compiled by Kelly Bonyata, IBCLC

General anesthesia should not affect breastfeeding. You can safely nurse once you are awake and alert enough to hold your baby. By that time, the amount of medication in your bloodstream is low enough that the amounts in your milk would not be significant. The point at which you wake up after general anesthesia is the point where enough of the drug has left your system that it no longer has an effect. In addition, pediatric surgeries require anesthesia - and that is a more serious exposure than through mom's milk. Mom might want to nurse just before the procedure in case she's out for a while or too groggy to function normally for a bit. See the articles and references below for more detailed information.

Articles

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@ other websites

Moms' Stories

Breastfeeding & Gall Bladder Surgery by Doe

 

Page last modified: 08/08/2005

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