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Guidelines on Anaesthesia and Sedation in Breastfeeding Women 2020

#1 · August 20, 2020, 1:37 pm

Quote from Debbie Young, MSL, LCCE, ICCE, ICBD, CLC on August 20, 2020, 1:37 pm

Our friend, Laurel Wilson from Mother Journey, shared these thoughts. There are new "guidelines on anaesthesia and sedation in breastfeeding women 2020" from the Association of Anaesthetists. The recommendations include the following:

1. Women should be encouraged to breastfeed as normal following surgery.

2. There is no need to express and discard breast milk after anaesthesia.

3. Anaesthetic and non‐opioid analgesic drugs are transferred to breast milk in only very small amounts. For almost all drugs used peri‐operatively, there is no evidence of effects on the breastfed infant.

4. Drugs such as opioids and benzodiazepines should be used with caution, especially after multiple doses and in babies up to 6 weeks old (corrected for gestational age). In this situation, the infant should be observed for signs of abnormal drowsiness and respiratory depression, especially if the woman is also showing signs of sedation.

5. Codeine should not be used by breastfeeding women following concerns of excessive sedation in some infants, related to differences in metabolism.

6. Any women with an infant < 2 years should routinely be asked if they are breastfeeding during their pre‐operative assessment.

7. Opioid‐sparing techniques are preferable for the breastfeeding woman. Local and regional anaesthesia have benefits in this regard, and also have the least interference with the woman’s ability to care for her infant.

8. Where possible, day surgery is preferable to avoid disrupting normal routines. A woman having day surgery should have a responsible adult stay with her for the first 24 h. She should be cautious with co‐sleeping, or sleeping while feeding the infant in a chair, as she may not be as responsive as normal.

9. Breastfeeding support should be accessible for lactating women undergoing surgical and medical procedures.

10. Patient information leaflets and additional resources should be available containing information on the compatibility of anaesthetic agents and analgesics during breastfeeding, and guidance on breastfeeding support in the peri‐operative period. To read more: https://buff.ly/3iXwAj2

Our friend, Laurel Wilson from Mother Journey, shared these thoughts. There are new "guidelines on anaesthesia and sedation in breastfeeding women 2020" from the Association of Anaesthetists. The recommendations include the following:

1. Women should be encouraged to breastfeed as normal following surgery.

2. There is no need to express and discard breast milk after anaesthesia.

3. Anaesthetic and non‐opioid analgesic drugs are transferred to breast milk in only very small amounts. For almost all drugs used peri‐operatively, there is no evidence of effects on the breastfed infant.

4. Drugs such as opioids and benzodiazepines should be used with caution, especially after multiple doses and in babies up to 6 weeks old (corrected for gestational age). In this situation, the infant should be observed for signs of abnormal drowsiness and respiratory depression, especially if the woman is also showing signs of sedation.

5. Codeine should not be used by breastfeeding women following concerns of excessive sedation in some infants, related to differences in metabolism.

6. Any women with an infant < 2 years should routinely be asked if they are breastfeeding during their pre‐operative assessment.

7. Opioid‐sparing techniques are preferable for the breastfeeding woman. Local and regional anaesthesia have benefits in this regard, and also have the least interference with the woman’s ability to care for her infant.

8. Where possible, day surgery is preferable to avoid disrupting normal routines. A woman having day surgery should have a responsible adult stay with her for the first 24 h. She should be cautious with co‐sleeping, or sleeping while feeding the infant in a chair, as she may not be as responsive as normal.

9. Breastfeeding support should be accessible for lactating women undergoing surgical and medical procedures.

10. Patient information leaflets and additional resources should be available containing information on the compatibility of anaesthetic agents and analgesics during breastfeeding, and guidance on breastfeeding support in the peri‐operative period. To read more: https://buff.ly/3iXwAj2