I always feel the best thing to do is to meet with the patient after the surgery. See what the situation is and go from there. Pumping may not be that big a deal if there is someone there to help her. A family member or friend. We have baby brought into the icu to breastfeed with very good success. We are very family oriented and usually who ever is caring for the baby stays with the mom. The nursery will even send down a crib for the baby to rest in between. It is better to try and see what happens, than to not try at all and wish you had. I have helped mothers breastfeed with many heart conditions, lying on their side doing the postitioning myself and found that mom is very greatful. This eliminates the use of the pump almost totally. Be brave and try it. You never know until you try. We have to be the advocate here and most people are willing to learn if you give them the opportunity. They are just afraid of the unknown. Keep in touch and let me know. I hope this message is not too late. Darlene Breed, BSN, RN, IBCLC Worcester, MA (USA) On Wed, 7 Jul 1999 08:03:38 -0700 "Denny Rice, RN IBCLC, Dallas TX" <[log in to unmask]> writes: >Karen, I don't have any open heart surg exp, however, I was in ICU for >4 >days pp and pumped every 2-3 hrs,(actually someone else did the >pumping, >I just supplied the breasts.) One concern I have for this mom is that, >open heart requires a mid line incision directly through the sternum >(breastbone). I'm not sure how placing the kit to breast would be >accomplished without putting pressure on either side of the incision. >Also, I don't believe that she will be able to sit in an upright >position in her bed, just be slightly elevated. The concern with >infection after this surgery is high also. Good luck. > >-- > >Denny Rice, RN, IBCLC >Dallas Texas USA > > *********************************************** >The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned >LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM) >mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to: >http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html ___________________________________________________________________ Get the Internet just the way you want it. Free software, free e-mail, and free Internet access for a month! Try Juno Web: http://dl.www.juno.com/dynoget/tagj. *********************************************** The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM) mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html