Phenol following ingrowing toenail surgery and breastfeeding

[TashieWoo]

Posted here for traffic!

I have just had ingrowing toenail surgery and phenol applied to kill the nail bed. The podiatrist advised that I didn’t breastfeed for 10 hours as research on phenol entering breast milk is limited, having just done some research I think it would be okay but I’m still worried.

DD is 9 months old now and I only do a couple of feeds at night but I’m also feeding her to sleep, and I’m really not sure what to do this evening!

Maybe this evening will be the start of night weaning, I was putting that off because bedtimes aren’t easy at the moment as she’s experiencing separation anxiety, she was self settling until about 6
weeks ago but I’ve been feeding to sleep again to help her get through it.

Breastfeeding network is the best source of information on drugs in breastmilk. They have an information sheet on podiatry and breastfeeding. Basically, as you say, there is little research but it says "the application is unlikely to affect the breastfed baby". Lots of reasons are given. The information is at www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/podiatry/
Even if you decide not to feed her to sleep tonight, you can get back to it tomorrow if you want. It doesn't have to mean the start of night weaning, unless that's what you would like to happen. Good luck!

www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/podiatry/ oh snap! No need to wean because of this.

Thank you @Trutzschler and @Isthisexpected , I read that too ☺️. DP and I decided that I would try with a bottle after usual routine and see what happened, she was really tired but she went to sleep! Has been down for half an hour now so hopefully she will be okay 🤞🏻, I am very pleasantly surprised.

I can feed her again at 1am and I won’t be night weaning as I still think BF is beneficial for her and I’m not ready to stop, but it’s good to know that she can be more adaptable than I think perhaps.