This webinar is part of our new Guidelines Educational Series.
This series of new education brings the Association’s globally respected guidelines to life. Through expert-led webinars and seminars, guideline authors explore real-world application, case studies and practical implementation to support safe, effective anaesthetic practice. To find out more visit our
Guidelines Educational Series webpage.Joining the webinar
You can log in from the comfort of your own home, your office, or any where else that is convenient. All you need is a decent internet connection and a quiet room. If you are unable to attend live do not worry, you will be automatically sent the recording 24 hours after the webinar whether you attend or not.
Please ignore questions about access and dietary requirements during the booking process. Joining details will be sent automatically via email - please ensure the email we have for you is correct, and remember to check for updates in that email account in the week prior to the webinar.
About this webinar
The guideline is a multidisciplinary guideline to facilitate the peri-operative management of patients who are breastfeeding, providing information on anaesthetic management to ensure minimal risk to the breastfed child. It was first published in 2020 and recently updated to include information on the environmental impact of breastfeeding and patient care pathways. It aims to dispell the 'pump and dump' myth and replace it with the updated advice of 'sleep and keep'. It is useful for all anaesthetists in their career as it serves to raise awareness of the care for patients who are breastfeeding.
This session will provide information on the importance of the health benefits of breastfeeding and the impact of suddenly stopping breastfeeding; information relating to the pharmacology of anaesthetic and analgesic drugs in breastmilk and the impact on the baby; and the process of identifying and supporting patients in the perioperative pathway along side information for clinicians and patients to provide a supportive environment for the care of the parent and baby.
Organiser and chair:
Dr Joellene Mitchell Consultant Anaesthetist University Hospital Ayr, NHS Ayrshire & Arran, UKProgramme:• Introduction and background - Dr Joellene Mitchell, Consultant Anaesthetist University Hospital Ayr, NHS Ayrshire & Arran, UK
• Impact of breastfeeding on maternal and infant health - Ms Marianne White, Infant Feeding Advisor, NHS Tayside, National Clinical Lead for Midwifery, Scottish Patient Safety Programme, Healthcare Improvement Scotland
• Pharmacology of drugs in breastmilk and drugs commonly used during anaestheisa and sedation - Dr Wendy Jones, PhD MBE Specialist Pharmacist Breastfeeding and Medication, Portsmouth UK Hon Research Fellow LIFT University of Swansea, Swansea UK
• Pre-operative assessment, patient pathways and perioperative care - Dr Merle Cohen, Consultant Anaesthetist, King's College Hospital, London, UK
• Case reports - Breastfeeding and Anaesthesia Working Group
• Discussion