Breastfeeding after surgery
You may need a general anaesthetic for a procedure or operation while you are still breastfeeding. Most medicines used for putting you to sleep are safe for breastfeeding. Let your healthcare provider know you are breastfeeding so they can support you.
Expressing milk before your surgery
You may need to express milk before your surgery to feed your pēpi while you are apart for longer than 3 hours
Talk to your midwife or doctor for advice.
On the day of your surgery
- Eat and drink as usual until the time you have been told to stop.
- You can drink water up until 2 hours before your procedure.
- Try to breastfeed your pēpi just before surgery.
- Make sure that your anesthetist knows that you are breastfeeding.
After your surgery
- Once you are awake enough to hold your pēpi, you can usually breastfeed.
- Ask your support person to bring your pēpi to you as soon as possible.
- If you are taking strong pain relief, ask your support person to stay with you while feeding.
- If you cannot breastfeed immediately, express milk when you wake up and store it for later use.
- Take care not to fall asleep with pēpi after having a sedative and an anaesthetic.