Best Practices for the Care of Breastfeeding Patients Requiring Local or General Anesthesia

Abstract

The care of breastfeeding patients who require anesthesia presents unique challenges; therefore, caregivers must be knowledgeable regarding drugs' pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic profiles to ensure the safety of the breastfed infant. Although most anesthetic drugs are compatible with breastfeeding, health care providers continue to advise patients to "pump and dump." This advice can lead to undesirable outcomes, including interruption or cessation of breastfeeding, creating possible physical and psychological challenges for parents and their neonates. This article outlines best practices for the care of breastfeeding patients receiving anesthesia.

Keywords: anesthesia; anesthetic guidelines; breastfeeding; drug safety profile; general anesthesia; human milk; interruption of breastfeeding; lactation; surgery.