I dont want to stop nursing my baby :(

[Mrs.FullerRN 189]

I will be having surgery at the end of the month..my baby will be 5 months old. She loves boobies. I feel like such a bad mom for stopping nursing to have surgery. And now that I think about it more, why do I have to? She does it mostly as a comfort measure. She gets formula while I'm at work. So her nutrition won't suffer. I'm probably the only person to ever have this problem, but I'm looking for advice from other Moms. Should I postpone surgery? Wean my baby? Or just get surgery and keep nursing. My surgeon looked at me like I had 3 heads when I asked and told me to stop because I need to focus on my own nutrition.

[KayDeeH 8]

This is a big challenge for sure as your body is not going to get much nutrition in the first few weeks following surgery. You're going to have a hard time getting in enough fluids to sustain your body, without adding on breast feeding to it with fluids going out. Yes, you'll burn more calories if you are producing milk, but will it really be healthy for you in the long run? If she's already getting formula, it seems easy enough to ween her before the surgery.

Now don't get me wrong, I'm a full supporter of breast feeding! I did it with both my boys and had a surgery when my youngest was 5 months. I ended up going cold turkey on weening after that surgery and I was miserable! And wished I had kept it up somehow. But, my surgery then was minor compared to getting the sleeve which is major! The more pressure you put on your body in the beginning, the longer it will take to heal.

My suggestion is to weigh your desires. Which is more important to you, having the WLS surgery, or finishing out the breast feeding?

Best of Luck!

Sent from my iPhone using VST

[donewithdieting 44]

Your calorie intake at the beginning is maybe 200 calories and goes to 500 calories. you don't have enough to share at that point. It would be sad to have your health in jeopardy, your new one needs a healthy mom. Good Luck with what you choose. But there is a reason the dr looked at you funny.

[Mrs.FullerRN 189]

Well they're both very important in different ways. I just don't see why I have to choose

[deedadumble 1,033]

I will be having surgery at the end of the month..my baby will be 5 months old. She loves boobies. I feel like such a bad mom for stopping nursing to have surgery. And now that I think about it more' date=' why do I have to? She does it mostly as a comfort measure. She gets formula while I'm at work. So her nutrition won't suffer. I'm probably the only person to ever have this problem, but I'm looking for advice from other Moms. Should I postpone surgery? Wean my baby? Or just get surgery and keep nursing. My surgeon looked at me like I had 3 heads when I asked and told me to stop because I need to focus on my own nutrition.[/quote']

I think that the anesthesia and the pain meds would not be good for the baby. Nursing requires between 200-600 calories and an additional 3 to 4 cups of Fluid. Following surgery, you'll be taking in about 500-600 calories for the first 2 weeks and most people find it difficult to get in 64 ou of Fluid. I would think that between the trauma of surgery and the lower calorie count that your milk supply may stop. I don't know how you would manage to get in the extra fluid to nurse and stay healthy.

[WeighDownSouth 40]

I'd say go with your body and your baby. Plenty of women nurse after emergency c sections requiring general anesthesia. If she's just nursing for comfort and will tolerate other forms nutrition then go for it. You can always pump and freeze in case your need. Everyone reacts differently to surgery and b

[unbesleevable1 420]

The only real risk is being able to take in enough calories. Nursing a newborn takes an extra 500 cal/ day. but that is a newborn. A 5 month old that is really only non-nutritive sucking is probably fine. you may have to play around with your calorie intake. But there is no danger really from the surgery. Like weighdownsouth said, there is no restriction on breastfeeding post op csections, even with general anesthesia. I would double check any additional meds they give you in the hospital, but we give most post op meds to nursing moms. (10+ years Labor & Delivery nursing background).

Your other option, is to postpone surgery another few months.

[sherri scheffler 10]

I will be having surgery at the end of the month..my baby will be 5 months old. She loves boobies. I feel like such a bad mom for stopping nursing to have surgery. And now that I think about it more' date=' why do I have to? She does it mostly as a comfort measure. She gets formula while I'm at work. So her nutrition won't suffer. I'm probably the only person to ever have this problem, but I'm looking for advice from other Moms. Should I postpone surgery? Wean my baby? Or just get surgery and keep nursing. My surgeon looked at me like I had 3 heads when I asked and told me to stop because I need to focus on my own nutrition.[/quote']

This surgery is a start of a new life the baby will as lways be there

[Mrs.FullerRN 189]

I guess I'll talk to my ped and my surgeon some more. I thought I wouldn't mind stopping but I'm starting to feel very guilty.

[SuzyB 182]

Talk to the ped, surgeon and a dietician. As others have outlined, your calorie intake will be very low. Your stomach will need time to heal. Your body will need calories to heal you.

[jlw1324 18]

I'm actually going through this right now as well!! Only my daughter is 16 months. I decided that for me, I need to have this surgery done to be healthy for my kids. I weaned her from 4 times a day to just once in the morning. I finally just stopped since I'm hoping for an October date. It was extremely difficult and I still feel guilty. Especially when she's screaming and trying to lift my shirt. When I met with the surgeon he did tell me to wait to have the surgery until I was done breast feeding. It's your decision. I can understand your concern. I loved nursing!