I have to stop nursing for 48 hours--having surgery tomorrow morning. My almost-4mo loves to nurse, for nourishment to his body and soul. And I love giving it to him! I plan to pump and dump in the interim. My question is this: how do I reject my baby when he wants to nurse? Also, how likely is it that he will not want to come back at the end of that time? He eats from a bottle (breast milk and formula) while I'm at work during the day. (I pump at work for him to eat the next day.) Then, when I get home, he wants to jump right on it. He eats during the night, too. I can't imagine pushing him away.
Thanks so much for your responses. I knew that you would, come through for me.
Surgery went perfectly well (gallbladder removal). The anaesthesiologist worked with me and told me to try to wait until morning to nurse. I came home that same night; baby was with Grammy. I pumped wihile in the hospital just to relieve the pressure and to keep the supply going. I chunked it after. I was able to pump and save later.
Now, my only problem is keeping him from my incision sites. I've got a pillow wrapped around my body, so I hope that he can still reach my breasts. He likes to latch on with mouth, hands, and feet.
I had a similar situation, I had to pump and dump too (and that is very difficult). I also had to let others take care of her and pretty much had to be out of the house the whole time. If I was anywhere in the house, she knew and would refuse to take a bottle. Good luck!
Anesthesia passes out of your system rather quickly. That's why you wake up. They quit giving you the meds and you wake up from surgery. Then the remainder passes out of your system in pretty short order. The anesthesiologist should be able to give you specifics based on the meds you will be given.
Pumping and dunping is needed to keep your milk supply up so you don't loose it. 48 hours you will get engorged if you don't pump. It doesn't "waste milk", your body keeps making more so long as it gets the signals. Yes, your milk will continue to have whatever is in your system until it works itself out.
Many things are in fact safe to take while breastfeeding. This is a wonderful site to look medications up to see if they are OK: http://www.infantrisk.com/ You could show it to your doctor.
I'm not sure what the reasons are that you have been instructed to not nurse for 48 hours but you might want to question it. Ladies who have c-sections are given all manner of safe medications during and after their surgery and they are able to breastfeed.
Like a lot of other moms have said, check with multiple doctors and lactation consultants about the drugs you will be having. Anesthesiologist, pediatriction, La Leche League. I had surgery were I was completely under when my babe was 6 weeks old and i just had to wait a few hours after waking up from surgery. Hope this helps.
OH dear....this is a dilemna isn't it? You may need to let Dad or Grandma take over the feeding duties during that 48 hours...it would be a lot less frustrating for you AND for your son!!! I would think he would be more than ready to come back to the breast as soon as you are able to accomodate him again...especially since he is already taking breast milk from a bottle part of the time as it is.
I really don't think you will have much of an issue at all. I had to do this a few times and had no issue going back to full nursing. In fact I think it made the bond stronger. Good for you for wanting to continue afterwards. Best wishes for you surgery!
Have someone else bottle feed him for the 48 hours. Also ask the doctor and anesthesiologist about the specific medications being used, then check with someone who is informed about breastfeeding. I had and infected c-section and was told to pump and dump for 10 days in the hospital only to find out later that not all the antibiotics were a problem for breastfeeding. 2 days should not cause too much problem with supply though.
You can absolutely still nurse while recovering from anesthesia. Some pain medications you can nurse with also.
If you have a list of the medications and anesthesia you will be getting - I can tell you if they are breastfeeding safe or not.
Feel free to personal message me.
Pumping and dumping just wastes milk, if something is in your system it will stay until it's out (including your milk) so unless you need to do it for comfort then i'd skip that, good luck!
I would verify from them whether or not your medications will be passed to your child/if you have to wait the full 48 hours. If you have to pump and dump, then do so and snuggle him with his bottle, but verify that you really have to dump or wait that long or if it's just them being overly cautious. Call a lactation center. They should have a book they can consult for you to discuss the medications you may be on.
At the very least, the pumping will help your body continue to produce and help you not be engorged.
Pump as much as you can and hopefully you have a store of breastmilk in your freezer that will last at least the next two days. Feed him that milk. You won't be "rejecting" him in any way at all, so stop that business right now. If you're anxious about bottle feeding him, he'll feel it, and stress is really bad for your supply.
Depending on what medications you'll be on following the surgery and what foods you eat, and how hydrated you can remain, you have a good chance at maintaining your supply. It will probably drop off but you can probably build it back up with some hard work. You can also get the help from an LLL.
Easy... you don't reject him... you just give him a bottle.
I had to have a few surgeries while nursing, but even though I had mondo supply I couldn't pump to save my life. When they're hungry, they eat. You still hold/ rock/ snuggle.
I had surgery when my son was 7 wks old. I was told by the anesthesiologist that I could still nurse." The worst thing that will happen, is that you may have a sleepy baby", his exact words. With that being said, I chose to NOT breast feed & dumped for 48 hrs. At that time my son had been exclusively breast fed. This may sound horrible but didn't see my son much / do any baby care for that 48hrs , I didn't want him to wonder why I wasn't feeding him & thought it would cut down on confusion. After the 48hrs, it was like nothing had happened , it was just like old times. I wouldn't worry about it. I'm sure all will go well.
