Is this possible or am I just kidding myself, be honest please

[nicsnigsnags]

long story, will try to be brief

has dd 4 weeks ago, really wanted to breastfeed but gave up due to doubts in my ability to feed her and lack of help in very busy maternity hospital

came home and regretted giving up so easily, contacted la leche and got leaflets and advice to re-establish breastfeeding

started again two weeks ago, dd latched on great but I still wasn't sure if she was getting anything but decided to carry on

spoke with GP about it but she wasn't keen on me carrying on due to being on dihydrocodeine for gallstone, concerned about it passing to dd in milk

contacted la leche again who advised no studys have been done re dihydrocodeine and breastfeeding and that it was a risk allbeit a low one

that was last week, spoke with dh who was worried as there was a risk even though it was low to dd so felt it better to carry on with formula

have been placed on waiting list to get gallbladder removed, phoned hospital today to ask if I could get on cancellation list as it would be at least 6 weeks before I get operated on

Might be able to get gallbladder removed on 29th or 5th so much sooner than first thought

my question is(eventually) am I mad to think that I would be able to relactate once I've had op done or will it be too late for me, dd is 29 days old today

if it's not too late can anyone advise if I should do anything in the meantime to optimise my chances of doing this successfully

I cannot put her to my breast for at least 4 hours after I take the painkillers so cannot always try to get her to feed at the moment but I am hoping I do not need them after operation so would be able to give it a good run at

Or am I kidding myself that I will be able to do this?

Any opinions/ advice most gratefully received, feel really bad I can't feed her myself and would love to be able to do it but will accept if I'm too late/ not practical from wise mumsnetters

Thank you

could you pump whilst waiting for the op to keep up supply for when you re-start BF after?

thanks sal

yes was thinking about hiring a pump just wasn't sure if i was wasting my time witht the whole idea iyswim

Dihydrocodeine effect on breastfed infants is not known because you could not do an ethical trial with babies. I think it is between morphine and codeine in terms of .......... I can't think of the word. Strength? severity? I think all three are used post partum, especially after c-sections. Fairly short-term use. BfN or Thomas Hale would have more info. GPs are not always best informed with regard to breastfeeding and medications.
Pumping will ensure some supply is retained but not as effective. Here's hoing you get the troublesome organ sorted asap

thanks joy

hopefully get it out in a few weeks

Hi

Try ringing your local medicines information centre which will be based in your local hospital pharmacy department. They have access to a national info centre that specialises in drugs in breast milk.

They should be able to give you a break down of the evidence and I would also ask them about the evidence of breast feeding with alternatives such as codeine.

At east that way you can make an informed choice about what to do.

Also to let you you know that if you take paracetamol regularly four times a day ( don't dismiss it as not being strong enough) you often can reduce the other pain killers you take - check this out with them. It might just mean that you can get a few feeds in.

Keep going - you're doing a fab job!