Hi Sonya,

Neither anesthesia choice is administered orally, which suggests that they do not have a great impact if ingested.  The milk will be good for baby.  

As already posted, the general criteria for resuming breastfeeding after general anesthesia is to be awake, alert, and stable, as well as capable to hold the baby (or pump, if baby is not handy) unless she has a support person to hold the baby/pump to the breasts for her. 

She might want to ask the surgeon how long it takes for each to wear off.  Sometimes a general is eliminated from the body faster because once the IV stops, it begins decreasing.  A spinal may require several hours to diminish enough for the mother to safely sit up.  That may influence her to opt for the shorter overall time for elimination of the anesthesia.

Cindy Garrison BS IBCLC
practicing in Pittsburgh, PA
> 
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> 
> Date:    Sun, 2 Apr 2017 12:01:34 -0400
> From:    Sonya Myles <[log in to unmask]>
> Subject: General or spinal anaesthesia?
> 
> Hi there
> 
> I have been contacted by a mom who needs to have foot surgery. Her baby is 9 months old and is breastfeeding 5 or so times per day. They have offered mom a choice between general and spinal for the procedure. While she doesn't really want to be awake for the surgery, she does want to do what will impact breastfeeding the least. Does anyone have any input?
> 
> thanks,
> Sonya

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