Has anyone had any experience with a nursing toddler who needed to have
teeth extracted?  I apologize for asking a question about my own child but I
cannot find any information about this and don't think it's very common.

My 2 1/2yo fell and injured his L upper central and lateral incisors 3
months ago, and now has developed a small abscess necessitating the teeth be
removed.  The dentists we've seen have been reluctantly supportive of
breastfeeding, grudgingly "okayed" us to continue nursing after the injury
(his teeth were *very* loose and he had an alveolar bone fracture.  I was
*shocked* he wanted to nurse within 12 hrs, but we figured out how to make
it work so he wasn't killing me).  I am afraid, however, that he will not be
allowed to breastfeed after the teeth are pulled, for risk of dislodging any
clot formation at the gum site.

Any ideas or information on this?  I know that sucking through a straw is
"forbidden" after most extractions (which also unfortunately is how he
handles liquids the best) but I'm not sure that nursing exerts the same
negative pressure -- and also wonder if he'll be compressing breast tissue
against his gum in the gap and whether or not it would be rubbing or
irritating the sockets.  He will also likely have some GI/airway evaluations
done under anesthesia at the same time and may have a temporary
naso-esophageal probe in place and I can only imagine just horrible he will
be feeling if he is unable to nurse for the 24 hrs after the procedures (and
just how much fun I will have trying to entertain him, ugh).  But obviously
if it may truly be detrimental, we'll hold off on the nursing.  Opinions or
experiences???

Thanks much,
Sarah Reece-Stremtan M.D. (peds anesthesiology fellow who had to work WAY
too much this weekend in Washington DC)

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