Local anaesthetic & breast feeding

8 replies

UntamedShrew · 23/01/2012 11:12

Dd is 7 weeks and exclusively breast fed. I'd like to feed her for at least as long as I did my DTs, so 10 months, but I need an operation on my leg and the sooner the better.

My consultant says that after 4 hours the local anaesthetic has left your system so I can express & chuck any milk from that time. We've plenty of my milk in the freezer and luckily DD will take a bottle from DH.

But I just wanted to know if anyone had experience of similar / or knew of any reasons to leave it a bit longer than 4 hours? Obviously the thought of the anaesthetic affecting DD is a concern to me.

Thanks.

OP posts:

tiktok · 23/01/2012 11:34

Local anaesthetic is not systemic - won't go anywhere near your milk :)

You can check all this with the factsheets at the breastfeeding network site.

No need to express. Just feed as normal.

Albrecht · 23/01/2012 14:07

Yes I was wondering about this last year as I had some work done by the dentist while bf. Local anaesthetic just numbs the area its injected into, not like a general, so you can feed as soon as you like.

I think your consultant is either, playing it very safe or clueless about where milk is made!

festiemum · 23/01/2012 14:12

I had a horrendous infection and needed teeth out when dd was very tiny, and my dentist was adamant I should express or switch to formula! After a good research on the internet, including Kellymom - she's always a good source of info, and speaking to both a midwife and health visitor, I came to the conclusion that the dentist was being ultra careful and there was no need to worry.

Besides which, my eldest was born by elective cs, so I had a complete spinal block, so what's the worry, frankly?! I think these professionals just cover themselves.

bagelmonkey · 23/01/2012 14:14

Is it a big operation?
Ask to speak to the anaesthetist.

Original poster

UntamedShrew · 23/01/2012 14:36

Thank you all! He's a dad of four himself, you're right you'd think he might know where milk is made :)

OP posts:

Original poster

UntamedShrew · 23/01/2012 14:37

Oh and not a big op, vein ablation (yuck)

OP posts:

Pastabee · 23/01/2012 18:32

Surely it can't get in your system as most people have local anaesthetic after giving birth for stitches? I had loads of anaesthetic when she was born. It never occurred to me it could get in the milk.

Pastabee · 23/01/2012 18:33

Sorry, untamedshrew reading back my post is so incredulous it's like I'm questioning you! Just really surprised about what you've been told.

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