I'm heartbroken/breast pumping help

[mummylove2monsters]

I am in hospital I have to have a stent placed in my brain- the medication they are putting me on says I cannot breastfeed anymore ( or for the six months I'll be on the medication) . My baby is hysterical and hubby trying to suddenly get her on a bottle . I desperately want to resume breastfeeding in 6 months time if atall possible- if I pump every day do any of you think it will work ? I'm going to use a sealed nipple shield to try and comfort her once I'm home . I'm so so sad and also very scared of this operation. I don't want to sound sorry for myself but I'm feeling increadibly weepy and heartbroken- terrified- any ideas regarding keeping up my supply ? X Thankyou for reading this garbled panic xxxx

6 months is a long time to pump while managing new baby but it has been done. First of all, are you absolutely sure breastfeeding feeding is not possible on the medication? I don't have info to hand but if you Google kellymom medications, answer should be there.
If its a no, then you'd need to get a good pump. Do you mean you would dump the milk for now? It does seem time consuming and a lot of effort.
Another option, if you want your baby to get breastmilk is to approach a milk bank for donated milk.

This is the one to check.
toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/newtoxnet/lactmed.htm
Enter the medication name and search. If it is said to be not harmful to feeding, I'd mention it to the doctor, as sometimes doctors do tend to rule out breastfeeding if the are in any doubt, without fact checking.

Yes I would dump for now - I fed my others till they were 2 and it's my biggest thing if you know what I mean . I can't stop crying thinking what if I die from the operation but this news kicked me even more - she's old enough for some solids and I geuss she'll take a bottle eventually- I'm clutching at straws but just desperate to keep supply up in the hope I can resume in 6 months x

Honestly, I think the fear and anxiety of the operation is clouding your judgement a little here.

It depends on the age of your DD and how many times a day/for how long you plan on pumping.

Honestly- I think the time wasted pumping to then dump the milk could be time invested in doing something special with your daughter.

Your daughter won't remember not being breastfed, but she will miss out on the opportunity for your time if you are spending lots of periods of the day pumping.

Thankyou for the link - it doesn't list the medication they want to put me on - I'm googling xxxxx

What a difficult situation, I'd definitely get the pharmacist to check the medication and yes kelly mom is a good resource I was very unwell a year ago on several medications and told I could no longer feed but actually only 1 was not recommended in reality. Some people exclusively pump so you can keep your supply but it will be quite hard work. How ever it is certainly do able there's no reason you can't, it might be tricky getting your baby to latch after that amount of time though. There are things you can take to boost your supply also if you need to. How old is your baby? Could you try a sippy cup or a doidy cup. If you have any of your milk frozen could you mix it with formula to try and get baby slowly used to the taste. I'd be feeling sorry for myself too, you poor thing but it's good you are being looked after and will be safe and well again soon. Good luck with every thing.

Please ring the Drugs in BM Helpline, listed here. They will be able to give you more information. Make yourself a and shut yourself away from DD while you phone, if you can.

I think you need to concentrate on your own health right now as wonderful as breastfeeding is a healthy mummy is more important. That said if you are really determined explore all your options. Get an appointment with a breastfeeding councillor (my hospital had one on staff but she isn't necessarily there very day) and ask about other medication choices. I was unwell after the birth of my second and he was bottle fed for a few weeks while I was very ill. I had chosen to stop feeding as I felt so dreadful.
The surgeon I had was wonderful and when I changed my mind about breastfeeding they altered my medication to one which is used in neonatal. We were able to re-establish breastfeeding I just combination fed for a while but my milk supply increased again.
Good luck.

I fed my first 3 dcs for around 2yrs and dc4 had a tongue tie and couldn't latch (we tried everything) The grief has been utterly overwhelming! I have been pumping for 7 months now so it is possible to maintain your supply. My biggest issue was teat/nipple confusion but as your baby has been bf for several months already and you plan to comfort nurse you might be okay. It's a mammoth undertaking but you sound as desperate as I was. Best of luck with it and for the surgery

Try the breastfeeding network for info for your meds

Please contact Dr Wendy Jones for advice, its quite possible the medication may be suitable.

www.breastfeeding-and-medication.co.uk/contact-me

The breastfeeding network provide information on drugs you can and cannot take while breastfeeding. They have fact sheets and also an email/ telephone helpline, you could try them if in the uk.
No wonder you are panicking mummy. Try getting your dh to give a bottle without you present, and see how that works. Also ask the dr looking after you if there are any drug alternatives.
Good luck

OP

I pumped exclusively for four months and it was tough. Really tough. It takes up so much more time than bfing or ffing as essentially you're doing both. In the end I stopped as it was negatively effecting the relationship I had with DS. In hindsight I'd say that protecting that bond was a million times more important than what he was eating. The stress and effort was not good for my mental health or my marriage. The guilt was something I created for myself, no one was judging me except me.

The PP's suggestion of a breast milk bank is a wonderful idea. Fingers crossed that that's something you can access.

Good luck OP - try not to pile more on yourself than absolutely essential. It would be awful if the added stress delayed your return to full health.

As your baby is already on solids I assume she about 6months old, she has already had more breastmilk ( and most of the proven benefits) than the vast majority of babies. I also suspect your baby will have completely forgotten how to breastfeed after a 6month gap. Spend all that pumping time doing something lovely with your baby, singing class, baby massage, baby signing?

Thankyou everyone - I'm totally besides myself and will try everything xxxxx keep the suggestions coming ❤️️

I was going to come on and say what the others have - that exclusive pumping is a nightmare. BUT, your milk supply is already very well established (because of the age of this baby and the fact that you have fed your other DC). You probably wouldn't need to pump all that much, maybe as little as 3 times a day (especially if one time was at night). You wouldn't need to sterilise as you'd be dumping the milk. If in 6 months she wont relatch, you could at least give some BM in a sippy cup.

So sorry you are going through this.

Please try to remember that your baby has already had months of breastfeeding and that is wonderful. Try not to compare to what your other children had. Your circumstances now are very different.

Concentrate on keeping a positive mind and getting through this operation.

But do check that there isn't an alternative medication - it may be possible to substitute the one they're offering for a milk-friendly one.

Have you managed to speak to the BFN Drugline yet OP?

No I spoke to someone else and am waiting for a specialist but it all points to a big no feeding while taking this drug - I'm determined to express and chuck so she can have it in 6 months ( better to try and fail eh ) . I'm terrified about the operation and hoping that I'll be calmer after it's done - Thankyou for being so lovely all of you xxxx

All the best for the operation, I imagine truly horrible situation to be in. Take care, and please don't beat yourself up if you can't make it work.

Wishing you all the best for the operation. Do you think it would help to call one of the Bfing Helplines and talking through your feelings with a BFC? She may even be able to give you some suggestions on how to make this work.

Thankyou all - I will try all of those things and speak to anyone I can - better to try than regret not trying x
Operation tomorrow- not going to lie I am terrified 😥 Thankyou so much please all keep everything crossed for me xxxx

Best wishes for your operation

Just wanted to add that it is possible to re-lactate and start producing breast milk without a pregnancy (via an intensive pumping schedule over a week or so), so if the regular pumping is too much don't feel that stopping means stopping forever

Thankyou xxxx

Operation put off till tomorrow ! Oh my nerves xx!! Xx !!