Have to supplement d/t surgery...Suggestions???

[AmmiK]

A friend needs to have her gallbladder out and is BF her 5 wk old baby. She does not have a lot of BM pumped and was told she will have to supplement due to anesethia. Any suggestion?? What to use?? We have read conflicting reports on goat's milk and of course formula is scary but is the one that is preferred??

Thanks!!

[SKSsmommy]

Can she pump enough just for the hours at the hospital after surgery? I had mine out 7 or so weeks ago and its TOTALLT fine to bf when you are awake enough. Ask for bfing friendly pain meds( and I took none but advil once home). While in the hospital they will ask her to pump and dump but at home she can safely return to nursing. Anesthesia is out of your system by the time you are t won't awake. There is only slight residual that wob't affect baby. Mine was no more sleepy. Hopefully you will get a bfing freindly anesthesiologist who will even admit that. As for formula, I'd just go with normal enfamil or something short term if she's not comfortable with nursing.

[RoadWorkAhead]

I was allowed to have baby room in with me and nursed throughtout the time (I was hospitalized 5 days due to liver damage from the gallstones). I think I gave a bottle just for the few hours directly after surgery....maybe 4 ish? That'd only be a few ounces in a small baby. Totally a pumpable amount

[alegna]

As soon as she's awake, she can nurse as far as anesthesia is concerned. Mom's have c-sections under general and nurse as soon as they're awake.

-Angela

[tanyalynn]

Women seem to be told quite a bit that they need to stop breastfeeding for _much_ longer than is actually required. Look into the details of the drugs mom is getting (from an independent source, not the original nurse/doctor), and then if there really is a problem, see if other drugs can be used.

[AmmiK]

Thank you everyone!

[WhoNeedsSleep?]

I am so glad I found this thread. Patrick is almost 4 months old and I am having my gallbladder out in the next um...some short period of time. I was wondering how long I needed to go without nursing.
I'm glad it may not be too long. I wonder what to do however, if it just really messes with me. If I am woozy or anything I am afraid I will not be able to make the right decision about nursing him. Should I try to have my husband help me nurse him a few times, so he can help even if I am asleep?

[MaryJaneLouise]

http://www.kellymom.com/health/illness/mom-surgery.html

Breastfeeding when mom has surgery
Compiled by Kelly Bonyata, IBCLC

General anesthesia should not affect breastfeeding. You can safely nurse once you are awake and alert enough to hold your baby. By that time, the amount of medication in your bloodstream is low enough that the amounts in your milk would not be significant. The point at which you wake up after general anesthesia is the point where enough of the drug has left your system that it no longer has an effect. In addition, pediatric surgeries require anesthesia - and that is a more serious exposure than through mom's milk. Mom might want to nurse just before the procedure in case she's out for a while or too groggy to function normally for a bit. See the articles and references below for more detailed information.

Having your husband help out with baby care is a great idea, especially diaper changes and transporting baby to your side & away if needed if you are too woozy and "out of it."