Continuing breastfeeding after abscess op

[HandMini]

Hi all, desperately seeking reassurance. I am having an op tomorrow to drain a breast abscess caused by a few weeks of terrible recurrent mastitis. Its in one boob only, thank goodness. I really want to continue breastfeeding, but not sure whether its possible / advisable after the drainage. I understand the op will be under general anaesthetic and its not possible to bf for about 24 hours post-anaesthetic. Looking for any experience in this area that can help me. Many thanks all, please keep fingers crossed for me and poor DD.

Hi,

I dont know about bf after drainage on a breast abcess but I did have open surgery when my ds was about 7 days old after a c section to remove a mass from my womb, I had general anaesthetic and ds was in hospital with me as I was still breast feeding, I breastfed through iv antibiotics for 5 days and also same day I had the anaesthetic, I was encouraged to do so to the point I was falling asleep and the nurses were latching him on to me and staying with him till he finished feeding. I would ask again about the not breast feeding for 24 hours as I was feeding withing an hour of coming out of theatre and my ds was fine (although he did have terrible nappy rash with the iv antibotics)
Good luck for tomorrow but I am sure you will be fine :)

Thanks Angel. Your kind and reassuring words brought tears to my eyes. It has been such a hellish few weeks for us with breastfeeding that any kindness makes me blub. Fingers crossed!

Hi Handmini, No experience of the general anaesthetic bit, but I had an abscess which required repeated drainage under local anaesthetic, and once without any anaesthetic at all (fun times!)
I'm still breastfeeding over a year later, so it is possible to carry on. The specialist I saw was pretty clear that I had to keep feeding in the short term, as a baby is the most efficient way to keep milk coming off your breast, and stopping abruptly would make things worse.
Anyway, what I really wanted to say is that the pain will get better pretty quickly once the abscess has been drained, so you're nearly there. It's horrible, and pretty scary, and an awful lot to cope with when you probably still have new baby hormones whizzing round. It still makes me feel a bit wobbly thinking about it.
So just sympathy from me really. I'll be thinking of you and DD tomorrow. And whatever you end up deciding about breastfeeding, you should be vv proud of yourself for getting through what's probably been an enormously difficult few weeks.

Hi Handmini, I had exactly as you describe. Three ops in total over two months to clear it in the end. First op was 4 weeks after I gave birth.

Post op I was back on the ward and feeding pretty soon after with help from the nurses. They encouraged it to help the tissue not become infected again.

I fed DD for 11 months, didn't cause any issues in the end.

Big hug for tomorrow, get lots of rest and take it easy x

Posted too soon!

You also get lots of sympathy from me. I could do labour again, but would never wish mastitis or having to have the infection cleared on anyone xxx

Thanks all...gosh, sounds like we've all been through the breast wars one way or another. Its v reassuring to know BF is actively encouraged as part of the healing process. WiLl let you all know how it goes. Cannot wait to rid myself of this huge, red, throbbing breast....turning over in bed even is agony.

You poor thing. Mastitis is horrible and I really admire that you are persevering with bf in spite of all you've even through. Hope the operation clears the blockage for once and for all so it never recurs.

I don't have personal experience of a breast abscess op but I did have a general anaesthetic to remove retained placenta when my LO was six weeks old. A nurse told me I would have to wait 24 hours, the Breastfeeding Drugs Advisory said I could probably feed immediately but to speak with the anaesthetist on the day. I had my GA at 8.40 am and was encouraged by the anaesthetist to wait until about 3 pm before feeding.

The Breastfeeding Drugs Advisory also told me to ask to be first on the list so I was not nil-by-mouth for too long and so I could feed my baby as long as possble before the op as some wards can be funny about allowing babies on the ward. As it happened, the ward I was on did not allow babies so I fed in the waiting room until the doctors started doing their pre-surgery rounds. I expect and hope your ward will be more amenable given the breast abscess.

Best of luck. xxx

Hi Op, Sorry I didnt get back to reply to You earlier, I hope you are well and your op went well! let us know how you got on

Hi all. Well, the op went well, but sadly, because of the position of the two incisions, both on areola v close to nipple, iI was recommended to stop breastfeeding and I went with the doctors advice.

Sad to be finishing, but happy to be (hopefully) on the mend and able to pick up and play with both my DDs soon without wincing.

Has been so lovely to have all your stories and Ive had seven weeks of feeding DD2 in the way I'd like to, so although my story doesn't have the perfect ending, I feel grateful to have got good supportive care to get this sorted. Fingers crossed for good healing and positive outlook on working out the bottles/scoops/sterilisers. I'll be on here looking for FF advice next!

Glad it went well. At least you can relax and enjoy your baby now without fear of a reoccurrence. You've done brilliantly well to bf for seven weeks despite recurrent mastitis.

Thank you for the update. It's nice to hear the happy ending. x

Hi Handmini, so glad you are on the mend and the op went well. Mastering bottles and scoops is a hobby in itself! It will keep you busy.

Hope the incisions heal well and quickly

Hi Handmini, Glad the op went well. I hope you have an easier time of it from now on!