A client undergoing general anesthetic for middle ear procedure is concerned about length of time postop she may be unable to breastfeed. What anesthetics would be safe to use so breastfeeding could continue uninterrupted?
A nursing mother receiving general anesthesia should be allowed to breastfeed as soon as she is awake and aware. Agents used in general anesthesia do not remain in the mother's system, or affect her milk (Spigset 1994).
When considering the use (and safety) of general anesthesia in a nursing mother, it is important to keep in mind that general anesthetics are sometimes used during birth or a tubal ligation, and the newborn generally is encouraged to breastfeed as soon as the mother is awake and able to safely hold her baby. The newborn's immature system is much more at risk than an older nursing baby or child who is better able to metabolize a drug.
It is also important to remember that weaning, even for a brief period of time, has it's own health risks associated with it. The known benefits of breastfeeding must be carefully weighed against what may only be a theoretical risk of a medication. Best wishes!
