Parent: Doctor, my baby is just three months old and has been drinking his mother’s milk, should he have formula after surgery? Dr. Ji: The World Health Organization recommends that no liquid or solid food other than breast milk be given to infants. Exclusive breastfeeding should continue for 6 months. Heart surgery is not a reason to interrupt breastfeeding. Parents: It is said that high nutrition is needed after surgery, is breast milk nutrition enough? Dr. Ji: Compared to formula milk, breast milk is nutritionally comprehensive and can provide nutrient requirements for growth and development during the same period, and can provide immune substances in the earliest stage of life to reduce infectious diseases, especially respiratory and intestinal system diseases. These advantages are not achieved by formula milk. Parents: Does the child not need to add other nutrients after breastfeeding? Dr. Ji: After the surgery, if the baby is anemic within 6 months of age, iron supplements can be given depending on the severity of the disease, but no supplementation can be added. Vitamin D and calcium supplements can be given to exclusively breastfed babies under 6 months of age. Parent: How do I breastfeed my child while he is in the hospital? Dr. Ji: Our hospital has a companion ward, which can guarantee 24-hour mother-infant co-location. During the intensive care unit, or if the mother is unable to stay with the baby, she can be transported to the hospital through the mother’s milking and be breastfed by another parent over the nursing staff. Parents: Can breast milk be expressed and given to the child? Will it spoil? Dr. Ji: Breast milk can be kept at room temperature for 5 hours, in the refrigerator freezer, for 24 hours; in the refrigerator freezer, for 6 months. Parent: Will my child stop eating my nipples after eating the expressed breast milk? Dr. Ji: This is something that should really be noted. If a child uses a rubber nipple or pacifier, he or she may not eat the mother’s nipple, which is called nipple illusion. To avoid this, you should use a small cup/spoon for breastfeeding and not a rubber nipple. Parent: Thank you, Dr. Ji. (This article is published with the permission of Dr. Ji Wei.)