Surgery and breastfeeding

courtls22 · March 2014

I am having surgery to take my gallbladder out on Friday. I was hoping I could hold off a while longer to get a better milk supply in the freezer but I've been having frequent attacks and agree with the doctors that I should have the surgery as soon as possible. I will have to pump and dump for 24 hours following the surgery and am a nervous wreck about my LO being okay during that time. He eats every two hours and I think I will be able to have JUST enough to cover. I'm also worrying how he will do with a bottle that long. He has had a few bottles and done fine but I'm still nervous. I also am afraid my supply will take a hit from having to only pump. Please tell me I'm being a freak and that I'm worrying for no reason.

slwprincess · March 2014

24 hrs is NBD on the bottle front- don't stress about that one. After I had my first, DH and I went to Disney alone over night for an event. DS was 7 wks and stayed with my mom. I pumped while there but he got bottles for 48 hrs. He was right back on the boob when I got home- didn't miss a beat!

As for stash, pump what you can up till surgery but don't stress too much if he needs a little extra formula in there too. He will be fine! As for your supply, as much as it sucks, I would pump at least a couple extra times during that 24 hr pump/dump phase to make sure your body gets the message- we aren't shutting down! Really, don't overthink this- stress will lower your supply more than the rest.

courtls22 · March 2014

slwprincess said:

24 hrs is NBD on the bottle front- don't stress about that one. After I had my first, DH and I went to Disney alone over night for an event. DS was 7 wks and stayed with my mom. I pumped while there but he got bottles for 48 hrs. He was right back on the boob when I got home- didn't miss a beat! As for stash, pump what you can up till surgery but don't stress too much if he needs a little extra formula in there too. He will be fine! As for your supply, as much as it sucks, I would pump at least a couple extra times during that 24 hr pump/dump phase to make sure your body gets the message- we aren't shutting down! Really, don't overthink this- stress will lower your supply more than the rest.

Thanks for the advice! I've always been a worrier and am working on that characteristic because I know it's not good for supply.

RondackHiker · March 2014

Why do you need to pump and dump? I went under general anesthesia while nursing DS and with my csection with Dd. With both I could nurse the moment I felt awake enough to hold them.

I did need to speak to the doctor about the pain meds I got, but it's fine to nurse after general.

courtls22 · March 2014

RondackHiker said:

Why do you need to pump and dump? I went under general anesthesia while nursing DS and with my csection with Dd. With both I could nurse the moment I felt awake enough to hold them. I did need to speak to the doctor about the pain meds I got, but it's fine to nurse after general.

My doctor told me I had to for 24 hours, I have seen conflicting advice on it so I was confused as well. I'm going to try to just alternate tylenol and ibuprophen so I don't have to worry about the pain meds unless I ended up needing them. I feel bad going against my doctor's orders but at the same time if it's not necessary, I would obviously prefer to just nurse my LO.

RondackHiker · March 2014

I'd talk to your doctor again and ask why you need to pump and dump. Is it somethjng about this surgery? Does he use a non-BFing safe med? Would he be okay with an alternate med? Can you talk to anesthesia?

you need to ask him and find out, since you don't know what he's thinking. He could have a real reason or he could be overly cautious (I had a doctor refuse to dilate my eyes for an eye exam bc I was BFing) or he could not be educated about BFing or he could be practicing cover your ass medicine since his liability wouldn't cover baby.

courtls22 · March 2014

RondackHiker said:

I'd talk to your doctor again and ask why you need to pump and dump. Is it somethjng about this surgery? Does he use a non-BFing safe med? Would he be okay with an alternate med? Can you talk to anesthesia? you need to ask him and find out, since you don't know what he's thinking. He could have a real reason or he could be overly cautious (I had a doctor refuse to dilate my eyes for an eye exam bc I was BFing) or he could not be educated about BFing or he could be practicing cover your ass medicine since his liability wouldn't cover baby.

Thanks, I will definitely ask on Friday for more information. I really appreciate the input!

slwprincess · March 2014

Also, ask your LC. Mine has a big book of safe/unsafe meds. Ask her what she reccommends first. My LCis thru the hospital and has no problems talking to the docs about safety concerns.

ahc1503 · March 2014

I just had my gallbladder out today @ almost 4 weeks PP. I only had enough pumped for the surgery itself. I fed him right before I rolled back & as soon as I was out of recovery. He eats every 2 hours & only had 1 bottle. I talked to the surgeon about my breastfeeding & to the anesthesiologist they were both very understanding & adjusted medications to better suit me. According to the American Academy o pediatrics, you can breastfeed as soon as you are awake enough to do so. I feel confident in my decision, and it went well. No drowsy baby here today or anything! Good luck to you!

goobermom · March 2014

Exactly what slwprincess said! The LC's often know/can find out more about what meds are safe during BFing than the docs do. Talk to them and have them check out the situation for you.

I had to have surgery at 2 weeks pp and the docs were telling me that I'd have to pump and dump for days...turns out I only had to for 24 hours. This was due to a particular antibiotic that I was given a dose of.

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