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General health

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Original poster

Will I be able to breastfeed after gallbladder surgery?

4 replies

LittleRobins · 27/03/2025 16:41

I’m due to have my gallbladder removed soon when my daughter will be 11 months old. The doctor has said from a medical point of view I will be able to carry on breastfeeding but I’m not sure how this will work. My DD is a heavy girl and also wobbly in the core so has to be held whilst being fed, she won’t be able to sit next to me to feed. I’ve been told not to lift anything for six weeks and am worried holding her to feed her will injure me, she’s a bouncy thing with jolty movements!

Has anyone been in a similar situation who can advise? I’m also concerned how to get milk or any fluids into her if I can’t feed her. I have pumped some milk for the freezer but when we have tried her with a bottle she’s refused it. She either has a sippy cup or one of the 360 cups but sips very little water before throwing it around, she’s a handful! I’m desperate to continue BF if possible.

I wasn’t sure whether this should be in infant feeding or a health category so feel free to move if somewhere else is best.

OP posts:

KenIsAnAccessory · 27/03/2025 16:43

You should be fine IME. I also had my gallbladder out 11 months PP. Fed my 98th centile baby later that day with no major issues. Use a BF pillow/support and sit in a supportive chair. Good luck.

Caspianberg · 27/03/2025 16:47

I would think so. Get a soft pillow and place over your stomach so it’s a layer between you and her wiggling.

SockQueen · 27/03/2025 16:51

I had mine out when DS2 was 8 months. Can't remember how much he weighed but he was always advice the 90th centile. It was fine, he was mobile enough to get into a decent position for bf and I used some pillows to support him. Needed DH to help get him in and out of the cot for a week or so but it was all fine for me. Pain not that bad at all, just had to be careful.

AnnaMagnani · 27/03/2025 16:54

While I wasn't breastfeeding when I had my gallbladder out, the best form of pain relief was a hard pillow pressed into my stomach.

Also make sure you have some Movicol on hand as you get constipated from the anaesthetic and trying to do a poo is miserable.

I was totally back to normal life after about 10 days.

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