I am a hospital-based LC; I found out today by accident really that a pt had
been there for 6 days for an I&D of a breast abcess; Discharged home
before I found out, so unable to talk to her directly at this time. Should
have had a consult order by the MD or the nurses...ugh..that's another
issue! Anyway,according to the nurses she was 1mo postpartum and
breastfeeding; Developed abcess on one breast and had 2 large incisions made
on the outer quadrant that was left open with a packing placed inside that
is changed daily; The cultures grew staph aureus and she is receiving
Unasyn; There was an order she could pump the unaffected breast on day 2 but
today there is an order "patient must stop breastfeeding-arrange for WIC to
give her formula vouchers".  She was sent home without any plans for weaning
gradually...just STOP breastfeeding; I could not glean anything from the
surgeons (female) notes that would indicate a need for this...only comments
about firm breast and erythema. (probably due to the engorgement); I am
planning to call the pt tomorrow to find out how she is doing and if she
wants to continue to breastfeed if cleared by her MD; I wanted to call the
surgeon also to find out the rationalle behind the order; Is there something
I should know before I call her? I thought the milk on the affected side
would follow the path of least resistance (nipple) if pumping gently and
this would promote the wound to heal instead of the majority of the milk
draining through the wound.  I see absolutely no reason she can't bf from
the unaffected side. Am I totally off base? Thanks for any ideas.

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