Does lidocaine affect breast milk supply?

Understanding Lidocaine and Its Impact on Breast Milk Supply
Lidocaine, a commonly used local anesthetic, has raised questions regarding its safety for breastfeeding mothers and its potential effects on breast milk supply. As more women seek pain relief options during and after childbirth, understanding the implications of lidocaine use becomes crucial.
Lidocaine in Breast Milk
Research indicates that lidocaine does pass into breast milk, but at very low concentrations. Studies show that whether administered through continuous intravenous infusion, epidural administration, or as a local anesthetic, the levels of lidocaine found in breast milk are minimal . This low transfer rate suggests that the amount of lidocaine that a breastfeeding infant might ingest is unlikely to be significant enough to cause any adverse effects.
Moreover, when lidocaine is ingested by an infant through breast milk, it is poorly absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract. This means that even if small amounts of the drug are present in the milk, the infant’s body does not effectively absorb it. Consequently, breastfeeding after a mother has received lidocaine is generally considered safe, with no expected negative outcomes for the nursing child.
Effects on Milk Supply
While the direct impact of lidocaine on breast milk supply is not extensively documented, the consensus among healthcare professionals is that lidocaine does not adversely affect milk production. The primary concern with any medication during breastfeeding is its potential to influence milk supply or quality. However, the evidence suggests that lidocaine’s low levels in breast milk and its poor absorption by infants do not pose a risk to breastfeeding efficacy.
Safety Considerations
Despite the reassuring findings regarding lidocaine’s safety, it is essential for nursing mothers to consult with healthcare providers before using any medication, including lidocaine. Allergic reactions, although rare, have been reported, and individual health circumstances can vary significantly. Therefore, personalized medical advice is crucial for ensuring both maternal and infant safety.
In summary, lidocaine is considered safe for use during breastfeeding, with minimal transfer to breast milk and no significant impact on milk supply. Mothers can feel more at ease when receiving lidocaine for medical procedures, knowing that it is unlikely to affect their breastfeeding experience negatively.

Should I pump and dump after anesthesia?

Patients should resume breastfeeding as soon as desired after surgery11 because anesthetic drugs appear in such low levels in breastmilk. It is not recommended that patients “pump and dump” and rather they should “sleep and keep”13.

Does lidocaine decrease milk supply?

Summary of Use during Lactation
Overall it appears that with good breastfeeding support epidural lidocaine with or without fentanyl or one of its derivatives has little or no adverse effect on breastfeeding success. [4-9] Labor pain medication may delay the onset of lactation.

What decreases milk supply?

Other things that can also lead you to have low milk production include:

• Smoking or drinking.
• Some medicines and herbs.
• Hormonal forms of birth control. This is especially true for birth control that has estrogen.
• Nursing or pumping less often.
• Getting sick.
• Feeling stressed.
• Getting pregnant again.

How long to pump and dump after numbing cream?

“The standard thinking has been ‘pump and dump’ – discarding the breast milk for 24 hours after anesthesia. As an outdated practice, it is not evidence-based and is potentially harmful for babies. The evidence shows that this breast milk is safe.”

What medications affect breast milk supply?

Medications that affect breast milk production

• Cold medicines containing pseudoephedrine. Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) is an OTC medication that treats nasal congestion.
• Fertility medications like clomiphene. Clomiphene is sometimes used as a fertility treatment.
• Birth control containing estrogen.

Can you use topical lidocaine while breastfeeding?

There have been many studies done on the transfer of lidocaine into breast milk. All conclude that lidocaine transfer to milk is minimal and probably safe to use during breastfeeding. The dose of lidocaine in dental procedures is minimal and should pose no harm to the breastfed infant.

Can you use lidocaine for postpartum?

Postpartum numbing sprays are a widely used treatment option to relieve the pain and discomfort that follow a vaginal delivery. This topical anesthetic is one of the many suggestions for effective postpartum care, as its lidocaine agent offers a numbing relief from perineal pain.

How long does lidocaine stay in your system?

Elimination: The half-life of lidocaine is approximately 1.5 to 2 hours and is prolonged in patients with congestive heart failure and hepatic impairment. Approximately 90% of the drug is excreted in the urine.

What drugs should be avoided during lactation?

Drugs contraindicated during breastfeeding include anticancer drugs, lithium, oral retinoids, iodine, amiodarone and gold salts. An understanding of the principles underlying the transfer into breast milk is important, as is an awareness of the potential adverse effects on the infant.

Does anesthesia affect breast milk supply during?

Local anaesthetics for procedures do not transfer into breastmilk, so breastfeeding is not affected. 2,3 However caution is necessary when large amounts of local anaesthetic are used, such as during the plastic surgery procedure liposuction.