A little planning before a colonoscopy can help when it comes to breastfeeding.
If you’ve been told you need a colonoscopy, you may have questions about breastfeeding before and after your procedure.
In most cases, mums undergoing a colonoscopy can continue breastfeeding without much disruption. A little planning can help.
What to expect
A colonoscopy is a medical procedure that allows your doctor to look inside your bowel. A colonoscope (a thin, flexible tube with a light and camera on the end) is inserted in your bottom and slowly passed up through your bowel so your doctor can see the inside surfaces. Sometimes tissue samples are collected or growths (polyps) removed.
In the days before a planned colonoscopy, you will need to eat a special diet and then fast from all foods. You will be asked to drink plenty of clear fluids and take medicine to help empty and clean out your bowel.
If you need an urgent colonoscopy, you may be given medicine in the hospital to clean out your bowels more quickly.
Colonoscopies are often done as a day procedure, meaning you won’t usually need to stay in hospital overnight. However, you may be in the hospital for several hours. You will likely be sedated for the procedure so someone will need to drive you home and stay with you afterwards.
Talking to your doctor
It’s important that your medical team know that you are breastfeeding. Let your doctor know at your first appointment and ask them to record it in your notes.
You may not talk to your specialist or anaesthetist until the day of your procedure. But if your notes show you are breastfeeding, there are a few ways your medical team could help you plan for this:
- Your doctor may be able to give you fluids via a drip to help keep you hydrated.
- You may be able to choose an admission time that allows you to do most of your prep when your baby is sleeping or you have help to care for them.
- If you need to express, you may be able to borrow a breast pump from the hospital, especially if they have a maternity unit.
- Your baby may be able to be with you in the hospital before and after the procedure if there is someone else there to care for them. The procedure itself is usually short, so you may not miss any breastfeeds if you can keep your baby close. Your right to breastfeed your baby anywhere is protected by law.
Your baby’s care
If you are your baby’s main carer, you may need some extra help before, during and after your procedure.
- The medicine given to clean your bowel before your procedure will mean you spend a lot of time in the bathroom. You will have sudden urges to use the toilet and won’t be able to wait long. You may also feel tired and weak from lack of food and broken sleep. It can be helpful if someone else can be with you to care for your baby and bring them to you for breastfeeds.
- You will need someone to look after your baby while you are in the hospital. Your stay could be anything from a few hours to most of the day.
- After the procedure you may be drowsy or feel unwell for up to 24 hours. Having someone stay with you will help keep you and your baby safe.
Planning for the day
- Make a plan for how your baby will be fed while you are in hospital. Expressing enough milk for the breastfeeds you’ll miss will allow your baby to still have your milk. An older baby or toddler who is eating a wide variety of family foods may be able to have extra foods while you are apart and catch up on breastfeeds when you are together again.
- Make sure the person caring for your baby has all the information they need. We have helpful tips on feeding a breastfed baby when mum isn’t there. You may find it easier if your baby and their carer come with you to and from the hospital, and perhaps stay close by if they can. You will miss fewer breastfeeds if you can offer your baby a feed just before you are admitted and as soon as you are awake or have been discharged. You may like to request an early appointment to reduce the chance of delays.
- Look after the health of your breasts if you are missing one or more feeds. You may need to express some milk while you are in hospital to prevent mastitis and to protect your milk supply. If you don’t have a breast pump you may wish to hire one or learn to express your milk by hand.
Stories from other mums
My partner brought my baby to the hospital when I was admitted and walked with him around the grounds. He was asleep when I woke up in recovery and didn't need to feed for another hour so. By the time he was ready for a breastfeed I was much more alert and had already had something to eat and drink.
My husband wore my girl in a carrier at the hospital while I was sedated and we managed without any bottle feeds. I fed right up until being wheeled into theatre, and once I was awake I asked the nurses to ring my husband to check if our daughter needed a feed. She was awake so hubby brought her to me in recovery and helped position her so I could breastfeed while laying down.
My procedure was delayed and my breasts began to feel sore as it'd been several hours since I last fed my baby. Thankfully the nurse fetched a breast pump from the nearby maternity ward so I could express some milk while I waited.
Breastfeeding before your colonoscopy
Your doctor will give you detailed instructions about what you can eat and drink, and when, in the days before your procedure. Short-term fasting from solid foods is unlikely to affect your breastmilk or your supply.
Continue to breastfeed your baby as often as they need and drink plenty of clear fluids to stay hydrated. This will help to maintain your milk supply. Electrolyte drinks, clear juices and savoury broths may also help to keep your energy levels up.
Try to offer your baby a breastfeed before you begin your bowel cleansing medicine. This means you will have more time before the next feed. It may help to have another adult close by when you are feeding or caring for your baby, in case you need to go to the toilet urgently.
Most common bowel preparation medicines are safe for use while breastfeeding and have no effect on a breastfed baby. They act locally in the bowel and do not pass into your body or breastmilk. If you are unsure about the medicine you will be using, talk to your pharmacist or call the Medicines Information Line in your state.
Breastfeeding after your colonoscopy
It is usually safe to breastfeed your baby after sedation or anaesthesia as soon as you are awake and alert. Most sedatives, anaesthetics and pain relief drugs pass into breastmilk at very low levels and are not thought to pose a risk to babies and young children.
There is usually no need to throw away (‘pump and dump’) your breastmilk after a colonoscopy. If your baby is premature or sick or you’re taking other medications, you may need to take extra care. Discuss your personal plan with your doctor. If your doctor is unsure, ask that they check with medicine information experts or a lactation consultant.
After your procedure you may need to stay in hospital for a while to be monitored. Your baby and their carer may be able to join you while you wait to be discharged.
You may feel sleepy and have little energy from lack of food for the first few hours. Ask for help holding your baby to breastfeed or try feeding while lying down.
It’s unlikely, but sometimes severe dehydration, lack of food and being apart from her baby can cause a short term drop in a woman’s milk supply after colonoscopy. Some babies also want to feed more often for comfort after being separated from mum. If this happens, a few extra breastfeeds over the next few days will help.
The information on this website does not replace advice from your health care providers.
© Australian Breastfeeding Association March 2025
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