Question:
Any tips on positioning for breastfeeding, when can I resume.... please help!

I am currently breastfeeding my son Elijah (10 months). He has severe sleep apnea (is on an apnea monitor) due to silent reflux, because of the medications,formula isn't an option for us. I need to know if anyone else has succesfully breastfed after surgery. How soon after? The lactaion consultant told me as soon as I was awake I could nurse... the physician said " switch him to formula.. it would be easier" ( easier for who? I am willing!)...and the anesthisiologist said to wait 36 hours. I am so confused! Due to the medication Elijah is on, he is unable to eat solid foods yet, so the breastmilk is his whole source of nutrition. What position were helpful? Did the medication affect the breastmilk as far as quantity? I will be having the RNY-full cut) I will also be on an epidural instead of a med. pump (so the after med's won't afect the quality of the breastmilk). Thank you for your help! God Bless    — [Deactivated Member] (posted on July 8, 1999)

July 9, 1999
My daughter has a little girl born with type 4 reflux, so I know it can be difficult. I would advise you to definately pump as much as you can prior to surgery. whether or not you're on meds that can affect your milk, you just plain might not FEEL like nursing for a couple three days. One suggestion..my daughter was sucessful with goats milk when she couldn't nurse. It never affected her baby's reflux, and the baby actually LOVED it. She's 2 and 1/2 and still drinks goats milk. Sandra's sugesstion about the pillows is a good one..your tummy's gonna be extremely tender...good luck!
   — Deanna D.

July 9, 1999
Lisa, I feel for you and your baby, and I hope everything works out well for both of you. Have you asked this question at any of the LaLeche League Chats? I think LLL also has some publications that discuss nursing through a surgery. I am also nursing my son, and wonder what impact this surgery may have on lactation, and whether I will be able to lie on my side to nurse him when I have a big incision on my belly. My son is almost 20months old now, so it is not as big of an issue for us. Drop me an e-mail if you want to talk this through sometime. Lynn Karagory [email protected]
   — Lynn K.

July 9, 1999
First you should consider yourself very lucky you were able to conceive...most people that need to lose over 100 pounds have a very difficult time conceiving. Did you have a C-Section or a Natural Birth? I was breastfeeding after my c-section, however my c-section opened and they could not sew it back for risk of infection. At that time (and this was 10 years ago) they would not allow me to breastfeed due to the antibiotics/painkillers etc that would pass through the breastmilk to the baby. I would seriously recommend waiting until the baby is weaned and on formula before even considering the surgery. What would happen if for some strange reason you couldn't breastfeed afterwards? Is it worth it?
   — Laura B.

July 9, 1999
I would really talk to a dietician if I were you. You are going to have enough trouble getting enough nourishment into yourself without having to worry about feeding a baby also. Nursing requires extra vitamins and protein for a woman. I wouldn't think the baby would get enough nourishment? Maybe try your OB/GYN also.
   — [Anonymous]

July 10, 1999
Have you talked to your surgeon about the fact that you are nursing a baby!? I am not certain that if you are that you'll get in enough nutrition to support both you and your baby. I'd talk to your surgeon and pediatrition on this one!!
   — Sherrie G.

May 19, 2002
Hi Lisa, I am an OB/GYN Registered Nurse. As far as your question what I advise is as long as YOUR nutrition is up to standard and you are not taking pain meds I see no reason for you to not breastfeed. But please note my first statement......YOU have to be nutrionally sound. I would suggest you put yourself on a good regimine of vitamins, protein ect. Talk to your MD again about it too. If you strongly want to do this he/she should help you out. As far as a position, may I suggest the "football Hold". This is a hold we use for our C- Section Mom's. It should not hurt your incision at all and still give you controll over your childs head. Lisa, feel free to e mail me anytime ok?? God Bless you :)
   — Gina D.

July 8, 2003
I was still nursing my 15 month old when I had gastric bypass surgery. Although it was only a couple of times a day (she was on solids), I was still concerned with her 1)getting the anesthetics afterwards and 2)if I could still provide enough milk to nurse her with. My anethesiologist assured me that once I was awake, and with her being over 1 year, that it would be ok to nurse-and it was. I did notice a drastic drop in milk production within a couple of weeks. I continued to nurse, but it wasn't the same. I also have since had a baby since surgery (I was at one year out-it was not a planned pregnancy) and was not able to produce enough milk to keep my baby's weight on target by 4 months of age. I eventually had to supplement despite every measure I could come up with to keep my milk supply up. As an RN for a bariatric center, and as a La Leche Leader, I strongly recommend that one consider the consequences of reduced calories and nursing a baby post gastric bypass surgery. It is possible to nurse, but keep in mind that supplementation MAY be needed. Of course, nurse first, THEN supplement! : D
   — Laura R.