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Need to stop BF temporarily (hopefully)

tarahnpaultarahnpaul
in Attachment Parenting
I just need some support and words of encouragement.  I have a thyroid condition and developed a life threatening rxn to my meds and spent several days in the hospital.  I now need my thyroid removed, but I also need my thyroid levels under control b/f the surgery for it to be safe.  I have to meet with the surgeon next week, but I know that most or probably all of what they're going to recommend is not safe for baby.  I am hoping that it will only be a week or two at most of not nursing her, but right now she won't take a bottle at all.  She waits until I'm home on the 2 days a week that I work.  She'll have to eat eventually right??  Will I be able to get her nursing again afterwards??
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Re: Need to stop BF temporarily (hopefully)

  • tokenhosertokenhoser member

    You need to talk to a lactation consultant right after you talk to your surgeon and get some help. It is possible to go back to nursing as long as you pump and dump through the whole time you can not nurse. If she won't take a bottle, you may want to try other feeding methods (open cup, straw cup, etc) and the LC should be able to help you with that. La Leche League would also be a good resource to connect with.

    Make sure everyone knows that breastfeeding is a priority to you, and that you want to minimize the time you can not breastfeed. And then do what you have to to take care of yourself, momma!

    You might find some useful info here: https://www.kellymom.com/health/thyroid/index.html

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  • 3003girl3003girl member

    Good luck and I hope it goes smoothly for you with a fast recovery. 

    My lo refused bm from a bottle from the start. She never took it from a bottle, but did drink it from a cup once in a while. She did mostly wait for me to come home, but try the cup. It is messy - or so my dh tells me- but she might like it from a cup or sippy.  

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  • Mrs. TLCMrs. TLC

    i have a friend who had thyroid cancer and had to have her thyroid removed (and take meds) while she was BFing her infant - she was able to successfully BF him without any supplementing, other than her own milk. Start pumping now to build up a stash.

    If you want I know she'd be more than happy to email with you and give you some support from someone who's been in your shoes

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  • tarahnpaultarahnpaul
    Thanks for the replies :)  I am so incredibly stressed out at the thought of not nursing her.  She still eats every 2-3 hours, it's so much more than just food as all you bf mommas know.  It's my way of comforting her and loving her.  I just need to stop stressing, get the facts from the surgeon, and deal with things from there.  I will DEFINITELY be pumping and dumping and trying to get her back to the boob after the surgery.
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  • sugarbear0524sugarbear0524 member

    I had to stop BF permanately (and very suddenly) due to a mild stroke.  I had to start taking medication immediately that is incompatible with breast feeding. 

    That's why I hate to hear all the "formula is evil" talk, because not all formula feeders do so by choice.  Count yourself very fortunate that you've been able to do it this long.  I got 7 weeks.

    I hope you can go back to BF, but at some point, your health has to enter the picture as well.  Try not to feel guilty.  I try, and sometimes don't succeed.

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  • indika236indika236

    I had to have spine surgery when P was 4 months...And after the surgery I ended up having to take a steroid that she had a negative reaction to. So all together I had to pump and dump for close to two weeks. Luckily I had enough frozen to feed her during that time. Once I was off the meds, she started nursing again just fine and has been ever since. She turned 6 months on the 14th...Good luck! 

    PS- I pumped in the recovery room 15 minutes after waking from anesthesia...The nurses and my surgeon were all very supportive :)   

     

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