My 21/2 year old still breastfeeds on demand and she has to get a dental surgery while under general anesthesia and my question is whether or not she can breastfeed before the surgery. I know that you are not supposed to have any liquids before the anesthesia but someone told me that breast milk was different. is this true? Thank you for your help.
No, it's not different in that way. Anything in her tummy, even if it's the best thing in the world, and the anesthesia could make her vomit, she could asperate, and she could die. Nothing in her tummy is the only safe way.
My daughter had general anesthesia at 16 months and the directions we got from the hospital had different recomendations for different ages. For example young babies could have breastmilk up to four hours before the appointment. We asked the doctor who told us our breastfed toddler could have breastmilk as long as clear liquids were allowed but not after that. Usually clear fluids are allowed closer to the surgery than other foods, but confirm this with the dentist or the anesthesiologist. That said my daughter has vommited every time she's been put under but she does have severe reflux and cannot take her medication the mornign of the surgery. IF it would be easier on your daughter, have dad care for her with you out of sight up unitl a few minutes before they put her under. Then you can be with her afterwards and offer her the comforts of breastmilk as she wakes up. ALso take extra clothes for everyone, not everyone's stomach is settled upon waking from suregery and if any blood ended up in her stomach she is all the more likely to vomit when she wakes. Another thing I was totally unprepared for was that some kids wake up very upset and combative and it just take stime for them to calm down.
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Honestly this a question you shoud only be asking the dentist, good luck.
No liquids is no liquids. My daughter underwent ear tube surgery at a year old when she was still nursing on demand and I specifically asked about breastmilk and was told nothing by mouth after midnight. Period. Her surgery was scheduled for 07:00 in the morning.
Breastmilk IS considered a clear fluid when treating other illnesses like a stomach virus, etc.
Make sure the dental practice knows to schedule her first thing in the morning. You'll be able to nurse her as soon as she is awake. However, the GA can make them a little nauseous and there may be some puking involved.
G.,
as a pediatric RN and a Lactation Consultant I can tell you there are two main differences with breastmilk to most other foods/fluids. One has been mentioned, it readily digests so usually is in the stomach for less time then other foods. The other is that (in small doses) it is not an irritant to the lungs like other fluids. However it is believed that any food or fluid in the stomach during general anesthesia will increase the risk of vomiting and therefore increase the risk of aspiration (inhaling foriegn material). Also note that if she does vomit the acidic stomach fluid that may be mixed with the milk is very harmful to the lungs.
The most likely concession that is made for breastmilk is to treat it like clear fluids or water. At 2.5 years of age your daughter will probably be able to understand the safety issues involved if you keep it simple (if you eat or drink anything it may make you vomit).
I hope all goes well with her surgery. Having you there able to provide comfort and nurturing along with nursing (after surgery) will make all the difference.
G., I am really sure tha you have reasons to have an almost 3 yo breastfeeding on demand-- I have been wet nurse as well as being the mother of 5 children 2 of which have had to have many operations over the years everything from a stomace sealing shut to ear tubes. It is never safe to eat or drink anything before Anesthesia. Not only is it going to cause some complications but could be potentionally harmful in many ways. Breastmilk is milk and that is a fact so doesnot fall under special previlage. The fact that you nurse says that you are trying to fill the stomace with solid milk-- so if it was a small child and not a toddler it might be different. The whole idea is safety here and at 2 1/2 the child is old enough to understand the words no and not safe!
This is DEFINITELY a question for the doctor and anesthesia team, but breast milk IS a liquid. It goes into her belly and the whole reason for not eating or drinking before anesthesia and surgery is because it can make you nauseous where you throw up and aspirate it into your lungs. I would say NO WAY, but you definitely need a certified medical opinion!
Breast milk is different because it is digested faster but most anesthesiologists do not want surgical patients consuming any liquids within 4 hours of surgery due to the risk for aspiration.
She should not nurse either. The risk is of aspiration (taking food/liquids into the lungs) which can happen with anything she takes in, including breast milk.
anything you have can be thrown up and aspirated...
At 2.5 she is old enough to understand that she needs to wait to nurse. My daughter was 20 months when she weaned and prior to that she understood if we weren't able to stop what we were doing and nurse. Be prepared with a couple of small new toys, coloring book, etc to help with distraction. Change up your routine prior to going that day so it will be easier to distract her from the nursing.
You really need to ask your doctor, but my understanding is that the stomach should be empty to avoid vomiting so I would assume that breast milk is no exception
I would rely on actual research and facts rather than well-meaning opinions and fears.
This is a resource I found helpful. It looks like the consensus seems to be that breastfeeding should be stopped 3-4 hours before surgery but can be resumed safely afterward. I am not a doctor so please do your own research too!
I would say that no liquids means NO liquids.
The main reason for that is the choking hazard. They don't want anything in her stomach that can come up during the procedure.
Your little one won't understand not being able to nurse on "demand" beforehand, but you can nurse her afterwards and as young as she is, she won't remember it or be scarred for life about it.
Don't give in....it will be tough, but it will be all right in the end.
Best wishes.
P.S. I just read Dawn's response and wanted to second what she said about gum.
Before a surgical procedure, my mouth was so dry that I did chew half a stick of gum thinking it wasn't the same as drinking a liquid, and they rescheduled me. Even chewing gum increases your saliva to an extent that your stomach isn't empty. I learned that one the hard way.
