Breastfeeding and surgery

[Juanh2y1]

My exclusively breastfed nine month old has to have tubes put in his ears in two weeks : (

The doctors office says he is not allowed to nurse or have anything after midnight the night before the surgery, and the surgery is not until 7:30am. He always has his biggest nursing session of the day at 4am, followed by another large feeding at around seven. So, this fast seems as though it will likely be impossible, and complete torture for both of us. Ideas?

[PatioGardener]

My guy had surgery at 2 months, and we were told no nursing for 4 hours before the surgery. Breast milk digests really quickly. kellymom agrees: http://www.kellymom.com/health/illness/baby-surgery.html

[Drummer's Wife]

My 2nd child had to have surgery at 3 months old and we were also told to not nurse for several hours beforehand.  But, breastmilk digests a lot quicker than formula so if I recall right I was able to feed him around like 4 am, even though we had to be at the hospital at 8 am.  Even that was hard, b/c he was used to eating right when he woke up and of course when they messed with him and such at the hospital (cute tiny hospital gown!) he would have loved to nurse.  But once he was sedated, of course, he was fine. 

I'd bet you can nurse at 3 am, but I guess I'd clear it first with someone from surgery.  It's obviously really dangerous to have anything in the stomach beforehand, but with breastmilk that time before digestion is that much quicker.