Breastfeeding After Surgery

At this point it is more important that you follow your doctors advice. What is important is that he is getting breast milk not "how" he is getting it.

All I can say is good luck, my daughter took a bottle to get out of the special care nursery for prematurity because it was "easier" and I've been struggling since to get her to breastfeed, she knows how to latch on and I have a great supply it's just to much work for her so she refuses.

I would use a bottle that is more like a breast and harder to use. My daughter will only take the easy cheap regular nipples, I am betting if she was use to a harder nipple more like the breast I wouldn't have this problem.

There is a bottle called "Adiri". It's great for trying to get them back to the breast. My daughter wouldn't take any other bottle until I found these, I was able to let my husband feed her if I had to go out. They are a bit spendy (about $15 ea) but well worth it. I only had three bottles and that was more than enough. Also if you don't mind used, check craigslist or ebay. They are 100% diswasher safe too.

Hi M.,

Congratulations on your commitment to breastfeeding and for seeking out assistance. I have seen the lactation consultants at Park Nicollet mentioned by another mom below; they were very helpful. I am not sure where you are located, but there are lactation consultants and pediatric feeding clinics (speech pathologists and/or occupational therapists) who can help your son with feeding following surgery. Maintaining your supply so milk flows easily and quickly will be helpful as your son adjusts to your breast. Good luck!

Another thing to try would an a supplemental nursing system. You can google it to see what it is, but its basically a small tube that hangs around your neck, and you use teeny tiny (like catheter) size tubing and it goes by your nipple. You can put breastmilk or formula in the tube around your neck. When baby latches and sucks, it will pull the liquid out of hte little tubing. What this does is give instant gratification to baby, an encourage him to suck becaues he is getting something. Over the course of a couplew eeks, as he gets the hang of it, you slowly remove one tube while he's nursing (I think there are 3 on the SNS), and then the next week, remove another, and then another, until you aren't using any tubing or the supplemental nursing system (SNS) at all.

Good luck, and I'm glad to hear your little one is doing well after surgery. Good for you for pumping and breastfeeding, that will help speed his recovery!

This is the brochure for the breastfeeding center at my work. They are very helpful and wonderful women to work with. if anyone can help you out they certainly can. Good luck!

The Breastfeeding Center @ Park Nicollet has been designed to help you with all your breastfeeding needs and is located in the Health & Care Store, on the ground level of the Meadowbrook Building, on the Park Nicollet Methodist Hospital campus. Experienced registered nurses, who are board-certified lactation consultants, are available to assist you during your hospitalization. A certified lactation consultant will visit every breastfeeding mother Monday through Saturday, to answer breastfeeding questions during hospitalization.

Occasionally breastfeeding difficulties occur once you get home. A lactation consultant can help identify causes and provide a detailed feeding plan for you and your baby. Lactation consultants can address and assist with:

engorgement
sore nipples
slow infant weight gain
milk supply concerns
breastfeeding multiple babies
breastfeeding premature infants
breastfeeding babies with special needs
To make an outpatient appointment with a lactation consultant, call ###-###-####. We accept most insurance plans and will handle billing for you. Please call your insurance company to learn more about your coverage.

I would find your local la leche league chapter. They are great for coaching one on one with this kind of thing. They got my daughter and I through a lot of bfeeding issues and she is still going strong (17 months later!)

While my dtr didn't have surgery she only would take a Haberman feeder. We could "adjust" the rate the milk would come out so it she wouldn't get too much and it wasn't too easy for her. Your son may make a smooth transition to the breast after the stiches are out. Good luck!

The baby usually goes back quite easily, so try not to worry. Just remember to pump frequently, so that when baby returns there's alot of milk supply and its not so hard. I know a mom who strictly pumps and then bottle feeds. Good Luck!
Do you have to go thru a series of surgeries?

If pumping and bottle-feeding works for you and your baby, why not stick with it? I did it for 11 months with my youngest and it was fantastic. He got the benefits of breast milk and I had freedom. By the time he was 4 months old I only had to pump twice a day, and then once a day a few months later. I still ended up getting a month ahead by freezing the extra. I love it! I'm going to do it again with the baby that's on the way.
Both of my boys were primarily bottle-fed and we have never had bonding issues. I don't think it matters how they get the milk. Just do what works for you and your family.