Samantha Nicole Exact Answer: 24 Hours
Magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI, is not a completely harmless scanning technique. Though it is inevitable in certain complicated ailments, physical contact with babies should be minimized after the scanning is complete. It is a proven fact that medical science has been trying to curb the side effects of diagnosis techniques recently.
Among other activities involving nascent kids, breastfeeding is one of the most essential activities that need to be postponed. The wait is beneficial for the mother, as well as the recipient baby.
How Long After MRI Can I Breastfeed?
Breastfeeding is the lifeline for babies. If the mother is suffering from a terrible disease and needs to undergo a magnetic screening like MRI, the feeding procedure should be discontinued for up to a day. In no case does this duration exceed twenty-four hours. The age criterion is of no use while determining the duration.
If the baby is unwell and needs to have only the mother’s milk, there should be separate arrangements to connect the milk in advance. It can be stored for up to two days. Pump and dump are based on the same technique. Likewise, breastfeeding should not be resumed until the after-effects of the screening have completely subsided.
This duration is based on the intensity of screening, owing to the number of images required for determining the health issues. Other factors include the duration for which the lactating mother is subjected to magnetic radiation. There is no evidence to deny the fact that babies should not undergo such screenings.
Therefore, it becomes even more important to delay the next feeding routine. In case the baby is above one year of age, one must resort to other methods of feeding as well. Nannies might also help in such a situation.
Doctors recommend complying with the guidelines as the health of the mother and child are interrelated. Above all, ensure all safety measures as these harmful radiations might even lead to genetic mutations.
In summary:
| Condition | Time |
| Emergency | 12 hours |
| Pump and dump | 24 hours |
Why Can I Breastfeed So Long After MRI?
This is because, during MRI, certain contrast mediums might contaminate the milk. Such mediums consist of a chemical canteen gadolinium. Though it passed through the body in a small proportion, the intensity is enough to harm a baby.
It is not necessary that the medium is used in each screening. In case the health issue is too complicated or lies in the deeper areas, the imaging would not be clear without injecting a gadolinium-based contrast medium. Other health hazards include the development of skin cancer.
When breastfeeding is resumed early on, some traces might be remaining in the milk. They can be passed directly to the baby as the gut bacteria cannot fight them. The only way of removal is through excretion. Kidneys throw it out in the form of urine, but the complete procedure might take at least twelve hours.
The lactating mother should pay extra attention as there is no easy way to extract the medium once it enters the baby’s internal systems. The best solution is to mention well in advance that the patient is a breastfeeding mother. Further, the authorities might issue guidelines or postpone the procedure if the pump and dump need to be done immediately.
There is no use extracting out milk after the scanning as the remnants might not be removed completely. While removing out milk prior to the MRI, the woman must ensure that both the breasts are emptied completely. A better way out is to directly feed the baby the next day. If these guidelines are not followed, radiations might creep in.
Conclusion
It is wise enough not to come in direct contact with newborn babies post scanning. MRI scans are done on specific body parts so the area of exposure can be easily identified and marked out too soon. Still, one must not take any risks since untraceable radiations are known to be much more harmful than traceable ones.
Apt attention should be paid to the time gap specified in order to avoid any genetic issues later on. Scheduling is, therefore, of utmost importance in this case.
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