Dear Stephanie, There should be no problem with this mom having hernia surgery. I had hernia surgery when my completely breastfed baby was about 7 months old. The mom just needs to make the proper arrangements. Have a good talk with the doctor about safe medications, ( be sure he knows his stuff--get the pediatrician involved if necessary ) have him write the orders the baby can stay in moms room (with care taker of course) and get hospital approval ahead of time. Arrange to nurse right up until the pre-op medications, have some milk pumped ahead of time 'just in case', and someone there with her to care for the baby. I had a private room, and was able to nurse when I came out of recovery about 1 1/2 hr to 2 hrs from beginning to end. She can nurse whether she has general or spinal anesthesia. Remember even babies can have surgery, medications and anesthesia. The reason you wake up is because the medication has worn off or been reversed. I had a spinal and it worked out just fine. Demerol, morphine, codeine, and other pain medications can all be taken when breastfeeding. My baby never even acted sleepy. She thoroughly charmed the hospital staff. There was always someone in my room to see my darling baby. My husband and the nurse/friend who helped me just had to put a pillow over my incision so my wiggly little nurser wouldn't kick me while she nursed! Then all the stuff about lifting has to be taken in perspective. The point is not to strain the surgical area. There is a big difference between picking a 15 to 20 pound baby up off the floor vs. up from the port-a-crib using good posture and correct body mechanics. She can prepare places she can put the baby without bending and straining. I was able to have someone stay with me in the daytime the first 2 days home from the hospital, but after that was on my own and did fine. I was just very careful and planned so I didn't put any stress on my incision. Advise that she arrange for someone to come help her as much as possible. The other solution is for her to spend the time on the floor with the baby when noone can be with her. She can have her husband fix up the living room floor with everything she needs as a daybed/nursery area then she can rest, nurse, play and care for the baby without lifting the baby at all!! Jane Bradshaw RN, BSN, IBCLC mom of 3 and an old surgery nurse to boot! I have a mother who will have surgery on a hernia when her currently 6 week old baby is 6 months old. She has been told that she will not be able to lift anything over 15 pounds and that will include her baby. It is hard to care for a baby alone if you can not lift it, she needs ideas on how to get through the day while her husband is at work. We are also wondering what if any medications might be contraindicated for breastfeeding and should be avoided both for the surgery and to handle postoperative pain. Thank you for your insight. Stephanie Ehlert, AAHCC Jacksonville, FL