How do mums go breastfeeding after breast reduction surgery? I’m a FTM due in a month and had a reduction 4 years ago. I hope to breast feed but I don’t know if it’s possible.
- it depends on how your procedure was done and whether you had a lot glandular tissue removed or if it was mostly fat. I had mostly glandular tissue removed, so with that, I have very little milk ducts and ‘dams’ left. I produced milk but it wasn’t enough to satisfy my bubs. It is possible, but, you may find trouble producing enough, so you will have to take motillium to help increase supply and maintain it. You will have to pump pump PUMP!! So get a good one. You may have to comp feed with formula if you haven’t been able to pump enough to top bub up. A lot of breast reduction mummas have found (in my investigating) that they were only able to solely breast feed their bub till roughly 10-12 weeks old. From then on they had to top up with ebm and formula. Majority couldn’t feed past 4-5 months old. The best advice I can give you is contact your local lactation consultant and get her to see you in hospital. Be informed, prepared, have all the best knowledge on hand. Give it a go, I wasn’t even sure I’d produce colostrum, but I did. The one thing to remember is, don’t beat yourself up if you can’t (believe me, I did…A LOT!!) because at the end of the day I am glad I had the breast reduction done. I wouldn’t be the person I am today if I had not had it done. Having had it done, gave me a life, and a life free of pain! Bubba will be fine on formula. But give it a go, I loved the little time I got to do it. I wish you all the very best xx Louise
- Try searching facebook for Breastfeeding After Reduction (BFAR) groups. I know there are two, but dont know their names. There is also the ‘IGT and low supply support group’ which has many BFAR mums on it who will be able to give advice on what you can do now and after birth to help you be successful. Also, find a good Lactation Consultant with IBCLC qualifications to see before giving birth (search lcanz website for someone near you who is hopefully interested in helping BFAR mums).
All the best! Nikki
