Breastfeeding post-op?

[wb]

My ds2 (8wks)is exclusively breastfed and is doing well. Unfortunately, it seems that he will need a major operation at some point in the next few months

I suspect he will not be able to feed from me immediately post-op but will they be able to give him my milk? Really really don't want him to have formula as big history of milk allergy in the family (including ds1).

Will obviously speak to hospital closer to the time but if anyone can reassure me now then hat would be 1 less thing to worry about.

bump

Hi wb, sorry your lo is poorly
Not quite sure what you mean - I'm guessing you plan to express and are wondering how/if the hospital will give it to him? If he'll be tube-fed, then AFAIK it will be just as easy for them to give him EBM as formula - my ds had my milk through a naso-gastric (sp?) tube as a newborn (for different reasons) and it worked perfectly well.
Also, you'd need to check, but it's likely the hospital would have a super-duper grade pump, which would help.
Hope it all goes ok for you both

Thanks CB.

I guess they would feed by naso-gastric tube thinking about it. Am just nervous about knowing how much milk I need to produce and how often. Now I just feed on demand and have no idea how much he takes per feed - just put him on and let him get on with it.

Not had much luck with pumps in the past but I hear that the proper hospital ones are very good so here's hoping.

Oh, I know, that's the thing with bf, isn't it, you don't have to think about portion size! Might you be able to start a bit of pumping in advance and have it in the freezer so you have a back-up in addition to whatever you can express in the hospital? Might ease those (completely understandable) nerves a bit to know it's there?
I used an Ameda Elite pump in the hospital and found it really effective; I now hire one to use at home as it's really quick.