Breastfeeding after local anaesthetic

[LivTorc]

I'm having an operation on my finger the day before I go on holiday. It'll take about an hour under local anaesthetic.

I was told by the person who booked me in that I wouldn't be able to breastfeed for 24 hours and would have to 'pump and dump'... Is this really the case? I've researched online and even the NHS breastfeeding page says that local anaesthetic and breastfeeding are safe.

I'm really worried about it because I don't want to put my baby at risk but I don't want to pump for a week, feed by bottle overnight a baby who has only ever been breastfed to sleep and who will be so upset by my denial of the boob... then go on holiday the next day with nowhere to sterilise bottles or keep milk cool.

Advice muchly welcome.

[Didactylos]

You need to talk to the anaesthetist performing the procedure: there are a few ways they can do it - injections at the finger/injections at wrist or further up the arm, or a block that involves a larger volume into the veins of the arm (very rarely used now)
I would specifically ask what the plan is and whether they feel it would be safe. They will have a much better idea of what is being used/volumes etc and be able to give you more personalised information than someone doing a booking appt.

If you think about it, a huge percentage of people initiate bf when exposed to local anaesthetic (epidurals, spinals, stitches) and have to have procedures such as dental extractions etc while BF. But its hard to make an individual judgement on your particular exposure from the info youve got so far.

[fledermaus]

That sounds very unlikely to me - more like the person who told you was too lazy to actually investigate and thought "pump and dump" was an easy option! As the PP says, I have breastfed during/after having a spinal block.

[LivTorc]

I know I will be injected at the base of my fingers and then possibly at the wrist if they have to take a skin graft for use on the finger... But thank you I will call the surgery tomorrow and double check.

[BikeRunSki]

I bf a couple of hours after general anaesthetic!!

[tiktok]

It's a bit disturbing you have been told not to be for 24 hours - this would be extraordinary advice and as you say, all other sources are reassuring.

Please challenge it - this could be off putting to many bf mothers. It's upsetting for babies and enormously inconvenient and sometimes difficult for mothers.

The clue is in the name - 'local' anaesthetic. This means it does not reach your blood circulation, and effectively stays in the one place it affects. It cannot get anywhere near your milk. Even if it did - like a general anaesthetic - it is quickly out of the system, and would be unlikely to harm a baby anyway.

Mothers who have a general for a section bf straight away!

[tiktok]

not to be = not to bf :)

[CityDweller]

The Breastfeeding Network has really useful 'drug sheets' on what is compatible with bf'ing. I used their research to feel confident in bf'ing DD a few hours after a general anaesthetic when she was 8 months old. Link here. They also have a helpline you can call for more specific advice.

[McBaby]

Sounds a bit strange.

I was told it was ok to feed straight after local anesthetic in my breast to have a cyst drained.

[LivTorc]

I've called the surgery and they apologised for the misunderstanding and said it was perfectly ok to breastfeed straight after local anaesthetic. Thanks for all your advice x