Bariatric bypass and nursing

[Multimomma]

Hi all. My SIL had a baby last week, after a stressful nine months of pregnancy. She had a tough time due to the bypass she had a few years ago, making sure her nutrients and fats were high enough. Now she's concerned about breastfeeding, her GI told her there was no way she could absorb enough to breastfeed. I'm thinking that if she can absorb enough to grow a baby, she can get enough to feed a nursling.

Does anyone have experience with this? Or even just a good website about it? There just isn't a lot of info, and she desperately wants to breastfeed. LLL has been little help, the leaders around here just don't have experience with it, and the LC have been worse than no help. TIA!

[Megan73]

Have you seen this?
http://www.todaysdietitian.com/newar...2006pg47.shtml

[PatioGardener]

I have read case reports of nurslings of mothers with gastric bypass having vitamin B deficiencies, but that was without adequate supplementation of Mama.

Congratulations to her and best wishes for a happy nursing relationship! (With a reminder that she can still have a wonderful nursing relationship even if baby needs extra nutrients or calories. Breastfeeding is about so much more than just food.)

[Megan73]

Wait, I just noticed your SIL already had her baby. Is she nursing now? How is baby's output and weight? Is she supplementing?

[Multimomma]

She has not nursed at all, yet. She is pumping, but mostly supplementing with formula.

I have seen that article, it's very negative though and I haven't sent it to her. I might sum up the dietary issues and send that to her. Thanks PG, I'll remind her that relationship is most important!

[Megan73]

Why is she not nursing?! That seems like a bigger issue in the short term than her surgery. She needs to get that baby latching and pump 8+ times a day in the meantime.
Is she taking any galactagogues?
Once she gets baby to the breast she can use a SNS to supplement.