“Is it safe to breastfeed after general anesthesia?”
I had surgery under general anesthesia. I want to breastfeed. Is it safe to breastfeed after general anesthesia?
2 Answers
Yes. Pump and dump is not necessary. Anesthesia drugs are not passed during breastfeeding in any appreciable amount.
It is safe. Be sure to tell your anesthesiologist that you are breastfeeding. There are very few medications that will pass into breast milk. However, if you are taking narcotics due to the pain of the surgery, I would be cautious. If you are sleepy from medications then I would not breastfeed your baby. You can pump and dump that milk until you are not needing those medications. The stress of surgery can diminish your supply of milk.
