Aloha Margie,

In the past couple of weeks, I have been receiving calls from moms whose
dentists have told them they cannot nurse for 24 hours after a filling
due to the medication given to numb the area.

I checked Hale's book on this one due to the influx of calls I have been
receiving---although I continued to nurse after having a filling without
question---my dentist knew I was nursing as well.

Usually an injection of Lidocaine and Epinephrine is given in the area
where the work is to be done.  Lidocaine is approved by the AAP for use
in breastfeeding mothers.  It is the Epinephrine that the dentists are
worried about.  From what I read in Hale (please check the 98 edition),
it does not seem to be much of a concern unless the baby is early
neonatal or premature.

I checked with my own dentist who said he never tells breastfeeding
mothers to stop nursing  for 24 hours after such an injection.  He does
point out that he is particular about only numbing the area in question.
He also mentioned that dentists should have an injection of Lidocaine
only on hand for those people who cannot have Epinephrine, so my question
is---if the medication is questionable to the dentist, why not just go
with the Lidocaine?

I wish the moms would call me ahead of time, so I can give them the
needed information.


Aloha,
Gloria Thai  Honolulu, O'ahu, Hawai'i  located 20 degrees North of the
Equator