I have a complicated situation that I need information on ASAP.

 

Mom has 5 month old baby is breastfeeding exclusively.  3 wks ago she
developed a severe headache and had issues with swallowing.  She was
subsequently diagnosed with 2 brain tumors.  They are on the left side of
her brain - one pushing on the cerebellum the other anterior to the left
styloid process.  (hope my spelling is correct)  The Neuro says they are
either Schwannoma or Glomus Vagale tumors - they aren't sure.  

 

She is scheduled for a minimum 10 hour surgery on May 13th.  I gave her a
contact number for the LC on staff there in hopes she can also help this mom
and I will be in contact with that LC as well.  Drs have told her to wean
immediately as they will have no one to pump her and are not sure how her
recovery will progress.  Mom does NOT want to wean, and if she must lower
the supply wants to be able to bring it back up again.  She has had a
successful 5 months of breastfeeding with a stable supply.

 

Questions:  Should she wean the breasts down - and if so what is the safest
way for her to do this and quickly?  With brain tumors I am not sure if sage
and pseudoephedrine are safe.  She has been pumping extra milk for her baby
the past week or so in an attempt to not have to use formula.obviously this
is going to increase the supply.  I already told her how to drop the supply
without using any other means other than spacing out feeds and no longer
pumping - but I doubt she will be weaned enough by surgery time to make
pumping unnecessary.  Her husband is willing to pump for her while she is in
recovery - but she is not sure that will be allowed (she has a list of
questions to ask).  She is also unsure of how her recovery will go.

 

If she does drop the supply down what would be safe for her to take after
recovery to bring it back up?  Would herbs be safe??  Obviously I am not
qualified to answer these questions.

 

Help!  Any thoughts and input are greatly appreciated.

 

Jaye Simpson, IBCLC, CIIM

Breastfeeding Network

Sacramento, CA

www.breastfeedingnetwork.net

 


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