Can I breastfeed after a general anaesthetic?

[TheDuchessOfKidderminster]

I'm due to have surgery (gallbladder removal) next Monday. DS2 is almost 18mo and I still still BFing 1x per day before bed (so it's not essential or anything but is part of his bedtime routine). The nurses at my pre-op assessment said not to BF for 48hrs afterwards to allow the anaesthetic to get out of my system? Is that correct? I'm wondering because mothers are usually encouraged to BF as soon as they can after having a CS under general anaesthetic. Does it depend on the type of anaesthetic used? I'll obviously discuss with the anaesthetist before I have the op but wanted to try to find out what I can for myself first.

[TheDuchessOfKidderminster]

• I'm still

[JohnLapsleyParlabane]

Yes you can. Just tell them you want to.

[DoWop2]

Yes you can, I had a general for my c section and was breastfeeding a newborn as soon as I came round.

[JeffJarrett]

I was about to tell you no, I had two GA's last year and the smell of the drug on my breath and when went to the toilet was horrendous for the following two days, I presume it would transfer into milk too.

However, I had an emergency CS for DS and breastfed straight after too like DuWop so I'm also wondering if it's a different drug they use. Definitely ask them.

[CatsCantFlyFast]

kellymom link

[CatsCantFlyFast]

breastfeeding network info

[sarahnova69]

If you're alert enough to hold your toddler for a feed afterwards, you're fine to breastfeed - the Breastfeeding Network is great for factsheets on the compatibility of drugs/procedures and BF. There are very very few which are incompatible with continued breastfeeding.

[sarahnova69]

Sorry, I mean very few drugs and procedures generally which are genuinely incompatible with bf. Anaesthetics are fine.

[TheDuchessOfKidderminster]

Excellent Thank you all, I'll make sure to tell the anaesthetist.