One thing I have learned from Dr. Hale is to look at the method of administration of any medication. All anesthetics are administered by topical application, injection, IV, or inhaled. If they could effectively give one orally, I'm sure they would but they don't work that way. So the baby cannot ingest the anesthetic and become anesthetized in any way. Especially in the case of lidocaine which is used for numbing locally, which means it stays where it is applied/injected. The concern is for the ability of the mother to be responsible for the care and handling of the baby. SInce she is not being asked to control or drive any kind of machinery, I have always understood the caution to be that the mother needs to be alert, aware and competent, then she can nurse her baby. 

Cindy Garrison BS IBCLC 
practicing in Pittsburgh, PA USA 

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