I have personal experience of breastfeeding a toddler following tooth extraction.  She was breastfed in recovery, immediately she returned from the OR.   She breastfed in the post-recovery ward.  She breastfed most of the following night. I would venture that the mechanics of straw sucking and of suckling differ markedly.  Remember human milk has anti infective, anti-inflammatory factors and is likely to promote rather than impede healing.
Nina Berry PhD
Australia

On 26 Aug 2014, at 2:13 am, Angela Burton <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> Hi everyone, 
> 
> permission to post-
> 
> Does anyone have any experience with a nursing 3 year old needing to have a tooth extracted? Extraction will be under general anesthesia & mom is ok with that part, but she is concerned about suction causing dry socket. She has been told not to give a straw for a week. Mom is worried about not being able to nurse for comfort after the surgery, but also doesn’t want to cause further pain/problems by resuming nursing too soon. All the information we can find relates to mother having surgery, so doesn’t apply here.
> Sorry to all who see this several times, I'm x-posting on as many lists as I can for a very dedicated mother who has overcome many obstacles to continue breastfeeding.
> 
> Thanks for any insight, information you can give.
> 
> Angela Burton, LLLL, IBCLC
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
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