Hello 'Netters I need your help. A co-worker's 3 month old nephew has just had surgery on his liver for biliary atresia. He is not a breastfed baby. The family lives in Phoenix, AZ and are researching the condition. The baby has been placed on a list for a donor liver. The little guy will receive a diet of medium chain triglycerides (MCTs) formula and extra fat-soluble vitamins. Biliary atresia is a closing of the bile ducts that leads to dysfunction of the liver. During surgery, they discovered that the gallbladder was practically non-existent. The questions are: Has anyone worked with a baby with this condition? Are there support groups? Is there an organization that can give the parents some practical information? My personal bias is that any human milk is better than none. With all the trauma and stress this mother is going through, is it appropriate to suggest she re-lactate to offer this baby some human milk to compliment his diet? Baby is at risk for liver infection and human milk could help. Could donor milk or expressed milk be given if hepatic enzymes are added? By the way, there are 3 other children at home and mother has a 3/4 time job. Thank you in advance, Jeanne Fisher, MSN, RN, IBCLC Breastfeeding Promotion Nurse Texas Department of Health phone: 512-406-0744 email: [log in to unmask]