breast feeding after a reduction??

Question

i had a breast reduction when i was 18 and now im pregnant with my second child. the dr i saw for my first said i wasnt able to breast feed but now i live in a different area and the new doctor i am seeing says it is possible. does anyone know if you can breast feed or what the likelyhood will be that i can? my boobs leak colostrum (i think thats what its called) and they did leak after my first but not a whole lot.

Answer 1

You can try it and if it doesn't work no biggie. But it is possible.

Answer 2

Yes, it is usually a possibilty, all depending on the type of reduction you had.
La Leche League has a book called "Defining your own Success, Breastfeeding after Breast Reduction Surgery". I can't remember at the moment who the author is but you can buy it on Amazon for about $18, or you could find a LLL group that could lend you their Library copy.
My cousin just had her 1st baby about 4mo ago and she had reduction surgery when she was a teen. Her doc at the time said that he was performing a "breastfeeding friendly" version, but she still had some ducts clipped and wasn't able to establish a full supply. She now gives half and half, some feeds at the breast and some with formula. That is definately an option for most reduction surgery recipients, you could maximize the benefits by giving your baby all you can get and supplement the rest or use a Supplemental Nursing System ( a tube is attached to your nipple and leads to a small bag filled with formula or expressed milk, thus enabling the baby to "nurse" ).
Its wonderful that you are searching out options to be able to offer your baby natures most perfect baby food :)
If you have more questions, I urge you to seek ut a Lactation Consultant or speak with a La Leche League Leader near you.
Good Luck!

Answer 3

Breast reduction/enhancement surgery only removes/adds to the fat of the breast, never touching the part of the organ that produces milk. It is like a bottle. You can add as much glass to the bottom, but it will still feed a baby. There is no evidence that size affects feeding in any manner.

Answer 4

Sorry no fulfillment tale right here. I had a relief some years previously having young infants and that they mentioned there grow to be a raffle i would not be waiting to breastfeed. properly i attempted breastfeeding and found that i did not produce a number of of something. regrettably my little boy very almost starved for the 1st week of his life. They then instructed me purely to objective supplementing, yet upon getting the bottle he had no persistence for working so confusing on the breast to get little or no. i ended up formulation feeding after that via fact I purely needed him to be ok and healthful. i did not even attempt breastfeeding my 2d new child via fact it remains confusing to think of lower back on my first new child having to bypass by way of all that and be so hungry. Sorry for any such dismal tale.

Answer 5

It sounds like your old doctor wasn't into breastfeeding. I would definitely breastfeed this time. Leaking colostrum is a very good sign. :) Good Luck and remember Breast is Best!

Answer 6

yes, you should stillbe able to breastfeed, as long as the milk ducts are still intact. It sounds like they are if you have colostrum and milk!

Pumping is not a good way to determine how much milk your baby is getting! A baby is much better at getting milk than a pump. If you are concernced that your baby isn't wetting enough diapers/ gaining enough weight you can weigh her before and after feedings to find out how much she took in.

LLL is a great resource, so is http://www.kellymom.com

Answer 7

Um i'd try to breast feed,but also try the bottle afterwards just incase the baby isn't getting anything.Try a breast pump and see if you get anything.

Answer 8

1

Answer 9

Read the pages on the site I'm linking to.