Living Donors Online Message Board

Living Donation Discussion and News => Living Donation Forum => Topic started by: Jessiebooth on May 28, 2013, 02:27:53 PM

Title: Breastfeeding through donation???
Post by: Jessiebooth on May 28, 2013, 02:27:53 PM
I have been approved to donate my kidney to my baby niece who is currently living off dialysis. I don't understand her condition well, but I know she desperately needs a kidney in order to survive. Other babies with her condition are dying every day on the donor waiting list. I don't think she will even be big enough for my kidney for a couple more months yet. We haven't had the conversation with her parents yet to tell them I have been approved (it is my husband's sister and her child). Her parents cannot donate as neither is a blood match. I am the only match that has been approved. I am already decided that I want to donate to my niece, the issue I am having is that I have my own daughter who is now 7 months old. We are still going strong with breastfeeding, and I don't plan to stop until my daughter is ready. I'd really like to continue breastfeeding until my daughter is between 1 and 2 years old. I really don't want to have to give up breastfeeding in order to donate. I also don't want to force my niece to wait any longer than she has to for a kidney. Has anyone ever breastfed through a major surgery like this, or known anyone who has? I am aware that while on pain medications I would have to pump and dump, etc. I could really use some support on this one. My relationship with my daughter means everything to me, but I want my baby niece to be healthy. Is it possible to breastfeed (or even just pump, then resume breastfeeding later) through kidney donation? Does anyone have any suggestions or recommendations? Thank you so much!
Title: Re: Breastfeeding through donation???
Post by: Karol on May 28, 2013, 03:03:59 PM
Hi Jessiebooth,
I don't have answers to your breastfeeding question, but I wanted to suggest that you ask the transplant coordinator at what point they would go through with the transplant surgery. They often wait until the child is a specific weight. That would give you a better idea if it would impact your breastfeeding at all. You definitely would have anesthesia and pain meds, which take some time to get through your system.
The other concern would be if you have help afterward. Picking up a 7 month old baby is probably something you would need to avoid for awhile, post surgery, to minimize the risk of a hernia.
It's wonderful for you to do this. Best wishes that it all works out.
Title: Re: Breastfeeding through donation???
Post by: Jessiebooth on May 29, 2013, 05:44:39 PM
Thank you for your reply! I know they were hoping my niece would be ready for her kidney by now, but she has not met her height and weight goals yet due to her illness taking its tole. She should be ready within the next few months (July or August I believe), and my daughter won't be turning one year old until October. I am almost certain the timing will overlap.  :'(
Title: Re: Breastfeeding through donation???
Post by: Zara on September 30, 2019, 08:24:38 AM
Hello Jessiebooth,
I hope everything went well.
I’m about to be a liver donor for my sister. I also breastfeed. Would you mind sharing your experience?
Title: Re: Breastfeeding through donation???
Post by: sherri on October 02, 2019, 06:13:24 PM
Jessie,

you mentioned that neither of the baby's parents are a blood match for her.If she is a biological child then one of the parents has to be a blood match (or perhaps maybe one of the parents is not the biological parent?). If they are not a match but healthy enough to donate they may be able to enter into a paired exchange. This is where the donor of one recipient donates to another recipient and their donor donates to your recipient. you can google kidney paired exchange. Also children receive priority for donation so once she does reach her height and weight requirements, a deceased donation may not take as long.

you may also want to speak with your own doctor about kidney donation so that they may weigh in on potential issues.

Best of luck to you and your family.

Sherri