BF and operation help.

[lisad123]

Hi

I have been unwell and in hospital for last 2 weeks, being pumped full of drugs. DD (5 weeks) was with me for first 4 days but then got too ill to look after her in hospital so she was sent home with DH.
I have been pumping and dumping the whole 2 weeks, as the drugs i needed werent suitable for use while BF and I had to have the strongest type. I have been sent home for the day but having an operation tomorrow. Im planning to continue pumping while im there, but dont know if i will be up to it for the first day after general Anisectic. How long can i leave it without pumping?
Also when im well enough, do i go straight back to demand feeding?? Will i need to top up??
Help, Im trying so hard to continue but so tired, and worried!

Thanks

Lisa

When will you be off the nasty drugs? The general anaesthetic may be fine to feed with normally (depending on how you are feeling)

It depends, if the op doesnt cause my pancreastis to flare up again, im guessing a few days of AB, but if it does it will be another week of IV drugs. I have list of safe AB and painkillers from BFA, but im allegric to so many drugs its hard.

please help

Gosh poor you.

You need axpert advice.
Try ringing Assoc. for Breastfeeding Mothers' helpline

0870 401 7711

Maybe Breastfeeding network would also be a good port of call. Will link..

help i have to know before i leave for hospital at 7am!

Here you go

Will keep bumping for experts like Mears and Tiktok.

Don't worry, you won't suddenly dry up if you can't pump for a few hours. As soon as you are able, trying pumping every 2 hours, for 10-15 min at a time. It may take a week for your supply to meet demand again, but don't worry, it will. And obviously put your lo on the breast as soon as you can! Well done on expressing - I think many women may not have had your determination. I hope you've got a good double pump while you are in hospital.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

I would think you would need to at least pump once so you don't get uncomfy the day after the operation

I suspect you'll be looking at building your supply back up but I'm no expert

Have you tried calling any of the BF lines?

well i had the one from materity while i was there. My own electric one is very noisy so have borrowed my sisters hand pump. I have had a side room for the last 2 weeks because of DD but not sure if i will this time

You will really struggle with a hand pump. You need a double electric pump. The hospital should bloody well give you one. If not then you can hire one - arrives the next day. I can get you the number if you want.

They will let me use the one from materity unit im sure. Dont think they have a double one, never knew there were such things!
hopefully will be out asap. I have been feeding her while im off the drugs and home, but only been 24 hours, but she seems to get enough.
I had to give up at 4 weeks with dd1, and she had loads of bowel problems so thats the reason im so detirmined to continue.

Assoc. for breastfeeding Mothers will also hire you a double one that will milk you dry in minutes.

Would imagine hand expressing v draining when not well.

Good for you. What determination you have!

Oh please please get a double one. You obviously cut your pumping time in half and they say you get more milk out when both boobs are going at the same time . I can't believe your hospital doesn't have one.

thing is DH has had to take 2 weeks off to look after the girls, and its unpaid so money is really tight again (last month was sat paternity leave too)
Will have to make do with maternity single pump and hope its all ok.

I'm sure ABM do really cheap deals. They could probably also liaise with hossie on yuor behalf though. (I wonder why your midwife and HV are not being more proactive though.)

My HV and midwife havent been seen since week 2!!
What ABM??

Assoc. for breastfeeeing Mothers (as referred to lower down.)

I urge you to ring them.
They are great.

La Leche League and NCT also have helplines.

sorry thought it was different group, have got the number and will ring tonight.

anyone got one to lend?? Im in herts

lisad123, SCBU have 2 double pumps, bloodly fabulous.. maybe you can ask to borrow it?

cheers sis, didnt know that