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Breastfeeding, Surgery, and Anesthesia

Breast milk confers both direct and indirect infant benefits through at least 6 months of age and is recommended by the WHO and AAP to continue until 24 months. General anesthesia and most perioperative medications are compatible with breastfeeding. Physical separation from the infant may require a mother to pump, but discarding the expressed milk is rarely necessary. Mothers of normal term or older infants can resume pumping or direct breast feeding without interruption following anesthesia as soon as they are awake and alert. This is consistent with recent guidelines by the American Society of Anesthesiologists and the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine.
A Collaborative Approach: How to Talk to Your Provider About Medications and Breastfeeding
Empower yourself with knowledge and confidence, and remember that you have the right to question and understand the healthcare decisions that affect you and your baby.
Weight Loss in Lactation
Many women are eager to lose weight after childbirth. However, a common concern is how to do so safely without compromising milk supply. Self-compassion is very important in this process as societal p...
Domperidone and Low Milk Supply
In recent decades, domperidone has gained popularity in the breastfeeding community and has been used off-label to treat low milk supply. Domperidone’s major drawbacks are rare, but severe, including ...

Research

Every year, the InfantRisk Center publishes studies on the transfer of various drugs into breast milk. We invite you to review these studies and consider participating in one of them. Participation is simple: you will need to collect samples of your breast milk at regular intervals, freeze them, and send them to our laboratories using prepaid overnight mailing. Your involvement will greatly contribute to our research and help ensure the safety of medications for breastfeeding mothers.

Participate in Research

Cough & Cold Medications while Breastfeeding

In this article you will find information about cold and flu medication and supplement safety during lactation.

Breastfeeding, Surgery, and Anesthesia

Breast milk confers both direct and indirect infant benefits through at least 6 months of age and is recommended by the WHO and AAP to continue until 24 months. General anesthesia and most perioperat...

A Collaborative Approach: How to Talk to Your Provider About Medications and Breastfeeding

Empower yourself with knowledge and confidence, and remember that you have the right to question and understand the healthcare decisions that affect you and your baby.

Managing Blood Sugar in Pregnancy

Pregnancy brings remarkable changes to your body, but these shifts can also increase the risk of developing gestational diabetes, a condition that can affect both you and your baby. Understanding how ...

Is Medical-Grade Honey Applied on the Nipple Safe for Use while Breastfeeding?

When medical-grade honey (like MediHoney) is used by breastfeeding moms on cracked nipples, it is probably not harmful to the breastfed infant. There are some actions you can take to make it safer.

Vegan Diets during Breastfeeding

Vegan diets are becoming increasingly popular worldwide. Evidence suggests that vegan diets may prevent long-term health consequences, but what does this mean for your baby? Diets that exclude all an...

Choline During Pregnancy and Lactation

Choline has become a “hot topic” for nutrition in pregnancy. Data suggests that most pregnant women in the U.S. don't get enough. Are you getting enough?

What is the Pitcher Method for storing breastmilk?

Everything you need to know to decide if the Pitcher Method could be a good choice to manage your pumped milk. Benefits, Challenges, Safety, and Guidelines.

Medication-Assisted Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder in Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

If you're a mom addicted to opioids during pregnancy or while breastfeeding, there are treatments available to help you reach recovery and protect your baby!