I have not seen a study evaluating the use of nitrous oxide in labor on breastfeeding outcomes -- I am not sure that there have been any done that try to isolate this particular therapy.  However, the effects of nitrous ("laughing gas") in the way it is commonly used during labor, which is via a patient-controlled inhalational device, are transient and unlikely to directly cause breastfeeding problems.  That's how I've presented it recently in a couple of lectures anyway.  However, it's not a great analgesic either -- even with its very quick onset and offset, moms won't typically feel the full effect of hyperventilating in 50% nitrous until after the peak of a contraction.  It's a nice idea in theory but most moms aren't going to experience the level of analgesia they're expecting if they've previously had an epidural or have heard good things about those.  (And no, definitely not trying to open up a debate on those evil things right now ;) but just trying to answer the original question on whether or not).

Certainly the use of nitrous oxide is cautioned and contraindicated in certain clinical disorders but it is a very nice adjunct in normal anesthetic practice and I use it daily to induce general anesthesia in my little patients.

Best,
Sarah Reece-Stremtan MD (pediatric anesthesiologist in Washington DC)

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