Lactnetters,
I have a pregnant mom in my class who has some questions about her ability to
BF. She had open heart surgery 8 months ago (baby due in 2 months). She had
large chest wall incision with ribs separated. She has some numbness of her
chest & breast and nipple hypersensitivity. Her surgeon could not give her
any answers R/T the breastfeeding.
1- Has anyone successfully breastfed after this type of surgery?
2- With the hypersensitivity, will she be able to tolerate her baby at the
breast? If not will she be able to tolerate pumping?

I told her that I don't think she will have any problem with milk production
& let-down since the breast & nipple area were not involved in the surgery. I
have worked with a couple of women with hypersensitive nipples (not related
to surgery) who were not able to tolerate baby at the breast. Is there any
way to deal with this? I did reassure her that she could successfully
breastfeed using 1 breast.

She will appreciate any information that we can give her.

Thanks,
Laura Hart
Winter Park, Florida

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