Before Xmas I asked for back-up for a mother who had been told by her surgeon to wean her baby prior to Mums surgery for a long-standing thigh abscess. Thanks to all who responded. She had surgery on Tuesday this week. Nursed her baby in the hospital car-park before admission amd told the staff she had weaned. She 'confessed' after the operation. The nursing staff were supportive and borrowed a pump from the maternity unit for her. Unfortunately it did not work so she used a hand pump I had lent her. She was put on antibiotics which were luckily O.K for nursing. The surgeon saw her just as she was going home, having breastfed during her baby's visits. He told her again that she should wean, as the antibiotics would cause violent sickness and diarrhoea in the baby. Needless to say, she and baby are fine and feeding full-time again. Although I am so glad that all is well, I am still angry that she felt she had to resort to subterfuge to continue nursing. I wonder how many other mothers and babes he has put at risk because they did not have support. Regards, -- Carolyn Westcott RN IBCLC