Many babies with congenital heart disease (CHD) can successfully breastfeed. Breastfeeding offers many benefits for both the baby and the mother. This information sheet is a guide to support breastfeeding families when your baby with CHD is admitted to hospital.

What are the benefits of breastfeeding my baby with CHD?

Breast milk provides a range of advantages, including:

  • easier digestion and balanced nutrition
  • antibodies that help protect the baby from infections
  • stem cells that support immune system development, and tissue growth and repair. Stem cells can also turn into other body cells, including heart cells
  • improved oxygenation and more stable heart rates during feeding, due to the lower effort required compared to bottle feeding
  • enhanced bonding between both mother and baby due to the release of the hormone oxytocin during breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding a baby with CHD can be challenging, but with the right support, many mothers find it is a rewarding experience that significantly benefits their baby’s health.

How will my baby’s heart condition affect breastfeeding?

There are many different types of congenital heart conditions in babies. Some babies may not be able to breastfeed until after they have had surgery, due to tiring quickly while feeding, or being too unwell to feed properly. Please speak to your doctor about when your baby will be able to breastfeed.

If your baby needs to be fed by naso-gastric tube (a thin feeding tube inserted into the nose, leading to the baby’s stomach) you may both enjoy skin-to-skin contact at this time.

Can I pump/express milk?

If direct breastfeeding is not possible, or if your baby is not able to breastfeed well at every feed, using a hospital-grade electric pump to express milk can help maintain milk supply.

During your hospital admission you will have access to an electric breast pump, but if you plan to be away from the hospital for more than five hours, you may need to hire or buy one. The Australian Breastfeeding Association (ABA) has pumps that you can hire.

Aim to pump at least 8 times in each 24-hour period. This needs to include once in the night to build and maintain your milk supply. Some mothers find they can express more milk in the early hours of the morning. Try not to go longer than five hours between pumping sessions.

Try to express around 750–1000mls each 24 hours by the time your baby is two weeks old. This is a full milk supply. From around 4–6 weeks to six months, your baby will need the same volume of milk.

If you have problems with expressing milk while you are in hospital, ask to see the Lactation Consultant.

How can I store my breast milk?

Breast milk can be stored for:

  • up to four days in a refrigerator (4°C or lower)
  • up to three months in the freezer section of a refrigerator with a separate door (-18°C)
  • between six and 12 months in a deep freezer (-20°C) that is opened infrequently.

Label your expressed breast milk with your baby’s name and the date and time you expressed. When your baby is in hospital, you will be given hospital identification stickers to use.

When can I feed my baby after surgery?

After heart surgery, it may take several days to weeks before your baby can breastfeed directly, and your baby may need a naso-gastric tube for feeds. During this time, continue pumping to maintain milk supply.

You may see a Speech Pathologist, who can check your baby is able to suck and swallow safely after their surgery.

When your baby is ready to start breastfeeding, a Lactation Consultant will help you to position and latch your baby to the breast. Your baby may still need to receive extra milk through the naso-gastric tube, but as they get stronger and breastfeeding gets better, the amount of milk given through the naso-gastric tube will be reduced.

Going home with a naso-gastric tube

Babies with CHD may need to be discharged home with their naso-gastric tube. You will receive information and support on how to care for your baby and their naso-gastric tube before you leave the hospital. After discharge, you will be supported by the hospital feeding team.

How do I make sure my baby is growing well?

In hospital, your baby will have their weight checked daily to make sure they are growing well. Your baby’s cardiology team and a dietitian will monitor your baby’s weight before and after surgery. Good weight gain is important to help your baby’s recovery after surgery.

Some babies with CHD may need extra calories to help them grow. They may be given ‘fortified milk’, which is infant formula powder added to the breastmilk to provide additional protein and calories.

Support groups

Connecting with other parents of infants with CHD can offer emotional support and practical tips. HeartKids provides support for people living with CHD and their families Kids Heart Charity Supporting CoHD | HeartKids.

Resources

For more information

If you have any concerns about expressing breast milk or feeding your baby, speak to the Lactation Consultant or your baby’s health care team.

Developed by the Lactation Service, Queensland Children's Hospital. We acknowledge the input of consumers and carers.

Resource ID: FS420. Reviewed: August 2025.

Disclaimer: This information has been produced by healthcare professionals as a guideline only and is intended to support, not replace, discussion with your child’s doctor or healthcare professionals. Information is updated regularly, so please check you are referring to the most recent version. Seek medical advice, as appropriate, for concerns regarding your child’s health.

Last updated: November 2025

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