Tonsillectomy with a nursling?

[LaurieG]

Anyone have experience with this? I'm pretty sure my 2 yr old is going to have to get her tonsils out - they essentially fill her entire throat and they aren't inflamed or infected, just that big.

Wondering how surgery and the recovery will affect her nursing. Should I be pumping some milk in advance and renting a hospital grade pump for the few days following surgery? DD has multiple food intolerances and mamma's milk is sometimes the only thing she will eat or drink for days if she's not feeling well.

Advise?

btw, wasn't sure where to post this so feel free to move it to a more appropriate forum if needed.

[Jennifer1208]

Poor girl... She won't want to swallow much at all after the procedure. I would think mama's milk would be perfect. (although the ENT surgeon may tell you otherwise, I've learned not to trust doctor's advice about breastfeeding.) I would ask your local LLL rep, I would bet they have knowledge of other's experiences with breastfeeding after tonsillectomy. Good luck!

[LaurieG]

Originally Posted by Jennifer1208

Poor girl... She won't want to swallow much at all after the procedure. I would think mama's milk would be perfect. (although the ENT surgeon may tell you otherwise, I've learned not to trust doctor's advice about breastfeeding.) I would ask your local LLL rep, I would bet they have knowledge of other's experiences with breastfeeding after tonsillectomy. Good luck!

Thanks for the response. I did call the LLL who is also a IBCLC. She didn't sound like she knew anyone who had been through it but was able to problem solve a bit with me. She mentioned that the ENT might not want DD sucking for awhile in order to allow the scabbing to take place. I guess I need to wait to talk to the ENT and then figure it out.