surgery - what to do

[mizznicole]

DS is 9 weeks and I have to go for a D&C wednesday for retained placenta frags.  I'm worried about being able to pump enough for when we are separated.  How bad would it be to give him formula for that morning?  I have no supply issues.  He has taken a bottle of bm here and there.  It's very difficult for me to find time to pump (like right now, I planned to pump and he woke up wanting to nurse!).

[MindfulBirth]

First.. sorry that you have to go in for a D&C.  I'm surprised you do not have milk supply issues with the retained fragments.. so that's great that you don't have that hurdle to worry about.

Will ONE bottle of formual (or two) hurt your baby?  Probably not.  Of course, you can't buy just one bottle.. you have to buy a pack of them or a cannister of powder. So you then need to ask yourself if having the extra formula on hand will undermind your determination to breastfeeed and if you are OK with that. You are the mommy, so only you can decide what is best for you and your child.

Have they told you how long the procedure will take?   Do you know what medications you will be given and if they are compatible with breastfeeding?  Can you nurse just prior to being taken in for the procedure?  You can still get a few pumping sessions in between this evening and tomorrow night.  Baby only removes about 2/3 of the volume of milk in your breast at each feeding, so pump right after nursing.  Don't pump for volume, as this can cause more problems than it is worth. Just pump 15 min and see what you get. Try to be as relaxed as possible when pumping.  Combining milk from 4-5 pumping sessions in the next 24-hours should give you enough for the one to two feedings you will miss.

All the best and hope it goes well.

[mizznicole]

thanks much.  Perhaps this being #2 is why I don't have supply issues - actually I have oversupply and forceful letdown problems!

Good advice on the short sessions.  I think that I'm just overwhelmed.  Oh geeze - now #1 is crying.  Momhood!