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June 2016 Moms
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Breastfeeding after reduction

dennyandleedennyandlee member
in June 2016 Moms
Ok, so it may be a little early to be asking about this but... what the hell.  I had a breast reduction surgery about 12 years ago.  I am hoping that I will be able to breastfeed but I realize that there are no guarantees I will be able to.  Just curious if anyone has been able to successfully breastfeed after having a reduction surgery?

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Re: Breastfeeding after reduction

  • kja2011kja2011 member
    ***lurking from July 2016***
    I had my DS in 2013 (12 years after reduction). I was able to nurse some, but could never get enough and ended up formula feeding. In hindsight, I think I was slightly sabotaged by nurses, pediatrician initially as they didn't think I'd be successful and had me supplementing early. My DS was a big boy and got use to the faster flow of the bottle.
    I am going to try again for this baby and want to look into SNS system, slower flow and give my milk a little longer to come in before bottles.
    2 other moms at local lactation group were successful bfar.

    Good luck!
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  • Wyattnash00Wyattnash00 member
    I have a very good friend who had a reduction and had zero issues. I've had boobs put in and have a low supply, not what you asked tho @denny+lee:)
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  • dennyandleedennyandlee member
    Thanks for your replies, @kja2011 and @Wyattnash00! Keeping fingers crossed but trying to remain realistic.

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  • mamabuddmamabudd member
    It is definitely possible. A lot of women are able to after reductions. You really won't know until the time comes, but just remember that any breastmilk you can give your baby is amazing. If you have to supplement a bit, that's totally fine!
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  • Emztron500Emztron500 member
    Good luck! Hope you're able to find some good support - maybe see if there's a local La Leche League chapter that does meetings? There are women there who seem to have been through everything :P

    I haven't had a reduction but a friend of mine did and was able to breastfeed somewhat, but did have to supplement and had low supply. 
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  • dennyandleedennyandlee member
    Thanks ladies.  @Emztron I live in a very rural area and I can't even find anywhere to take a birthing class that's not over an hour away, I highly doubt there are any local La Leche chapters, but I'm sure I can join an online group.  Good thinking!

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  • lauren0913lauren0913 member
    Never even thought to ask this, thanks for bringing it up! I had a reduction 13yrs ago and never thought this would be an issue, the boobs getting bigger/closer to previous size on the other hand should be interesting!
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  • dennyandleedennyandlee member
    @lauren0913 I'm glad I'm not the only on this bmb in this situation. Fingers crossed for both of us. And like you, I'm almost back to presurgery size :(

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  • gentlewind77gentlewind77 member
    I had a reduction 20 years ago and was not aware that I might not be able to produce enough milk for my baby several years ago. I used a pump and supplemented with formula. I am hoping to be able to nurse this time around, but will be prepared to supplement again. Some breast milk is better than none! I remember I cried nonstop one day because I couldn't fully nurse. It's good to be aware of the possibility that supplementing might be necessary ahead of time. Thanks for starting this thread!
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  • CortsCorts member
    Hi I had a reduction years ago and tried to nurse my son 4 years ago when he was born. He ended up losing almost 2 lbs his first week home because I was not producing enough. I had a lot of ignorant medical staff telling me that if I kept pumping and nursing, the supply would come. I had a hospital pump and was only getting 1.5 Oz from each side. I tried all the herbal remedies but no increase. Having a reduction damages your milk ducts so be prepared to supplement with formula.
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  • CortsCorts member
    There is an online forum called KellyMom that has a BFAR section
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  • dennyandleedennyandlee member
    Thanks @gentlewind77 and @Corts!!

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  • nekedfeetnekedfeet member
    I had a breast reduction 15 years ago, and I've been wondering the same thing!!

    I'm hoping that my boobs hurting so much in the last few months is a good indicator of things functioning in there, but I doubt it.  It will be a mystery I suppose until the little one arrives.  Hoping for all good things of course, but whatever will be, will be.....


    1st Pregnancy: EDD 12/31/15; Diagnosed Turner's with terminal cystic hygroma 13wks; induced at 14wks, +3 d+c's.
    2nd Pregnancy: BFP 10/8/15; EDD 6/21/16
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