Cynthia,
There is no reason that this mother cannot breastfeed her infant. There are
several methods of repairing an omphalocele, depending on the size of the
defect and the size of the baby. None of them precludes the mother providing
breastmilk for her baby and eventually breastfeeding. While on a feeding tube
the baby can receive expressed mother's milk. When s/he is able to take
feedings by mouth the baby can go right to the breast. I would have the
mother begin pumping as soon after delivery as possible. She should speak to
the surgeon and the pediatrician to let them know what her feeding choice
is...when the baby is ready to receive feedings by tube they should be hard
pressed to find reasons why it cannot be mother's milk. These babies are
often full term and if they can do a total repair right away infant could be
receiving milk in a couple of weeks. Once the baby is tolerating feedings by
tube, she can go to breast.

Kathy Boggs, RN, IBCLC

I searched the archives on this, but didn't find anything.  Recently I've
been working with a mom who attempted unsuccessfully to bf her first two
children (lack of support).  She is pregnant again and considered bf but
recently found out her baby has an omphalocele (sp?).  She said his cord did
not close all the way and some of his organs will be outside his body, he'll
require several rounds of surgery and will spend the first few months of his
life in ICU and then will have a feeding tube.  She was told she could not
breastfeed him and she has accepted this.
I know nothing about this condition.  How soon would he get a feeding tube?
Should I suggest that she pump for him or just let the bf issue go?
Cynthia D. Payne, IBCLC
In the Berkshires of western Massachusetts

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