Breastfeeding after treatment

pevans

After being diagnosed with stage 2 bc at age 26 in fall 2006 and going through treatment (lumpectomy, chemo, herceptin, radiation and tamoxifen), I am now expecting my first child. I am due in a few weeks and am feeling very lucky and blessed to be a mom! I only had treatment on my right side, so I am hoping to breastfeed on my left side. Just wondering if anyone has had a similar experience and had any tips for success? Thanks!

Leah_S

Pevans, I don't have any tips, but want to tell you I'm delighted to hear your good news.

I have a friend who successfully breastfed after a umx. Also, many women successfully breastfeed twins. Your milk supply builds up according to demand (the more the baby sucks the more milk you produce).

You might want to contact La Leche League for help, tips, etc.

All the best. Let us know when the baby is born!

Leah

sakura73

Congratulations! I was in a very similar position to you and am still breast feeding my son from my left (non cancer) side at 15 months. It was hard at first, but so, so worth it.

The main difference for us is that because we only have one side to feed from, that nipple really gets a workout and can easily become over-sore and damaged if you don't take care of it. Mine got totally trashed and I had to hire a hospital grade pump for a while to use to express milk while my nipple healed. I recommend you use a dummy/pacifier for your little one to suckle on sometimes so he/she doesn't need your nipple constantly. Get a nipple cream like Lansinoh too. You really need to protect that nipple!

Another issue might be having enough supply. My milk came in slowly and was not enough for my baby given I only had one side (if I had had the same again on the other side it would have been plenty). I am not sure where in the world you are, but in Australia you can get a prescription for a drug called domperidone which is actually an anti-nausea drug which happens to boost lactation. You can also take a herbal remedy called fenugreek which has the same effect. I recommend you prepare youself with supplies of both.

Also, see a lactation consultant if you can, though you may find you are a bit of a novelty to them: I was to both the ones I saw!

One final thing - in the end even with all the supplements I never had quite enough milk to feel sure that I was feeding my baby enough so I gave him one bottle of formula a day to ensure he was well fed. Since he had a bottle from such a young age he never had any problem switching between breast and teat. I felt a failure at first but then I got the hell over it - after all, having him at all AND being able to feed him at least in part from my own body was so wonderful after the whole cancer thing.

You are about to have such a wonderful journey, I am so happy for you! Please feel free to PM me or ask more questions here. There are a couple of us with small babies who are feeding/have fed from one side.

pevans

Thank you so much Leah and Sakura for the responses! I will look into the tips offerred! I do have some formula on hand, just in case. I'm sure I can get fenugreek and will be sure to ask about the prescription you mention. I'm assuming that is your little boy in your profile pic. He's adorable! I'm due Dec. 18th, so once the baby arrives, I will definitely check back in!  Thanks again.

christina0001

Is there anyone else who has had this issue? I am 3+ years post-dx and pregnant. I had a unilateral mastectomy, and my remaining breast was reduced to match my new one. I am uncertain if I can produce enough milk out of my remaining breast; I have read a little online and it sounds like sometimes a reduced breast produces less because milk ducts have been taken. I want to do what's healthy for my baby but I also don't want to set myself up for failure.

I am wondering if the best solution is to pump, so I know how much baby is receiving, and baby won't have to switch between breast and bottle.

Mary1981

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