Breastfeeding after reduction--second time around

[poorlittlefish]

Hi ladies,
I am hoping someone here has experience and can tell me what to expect. I had a breast reduction about 10 years ago. Was told at the time that I might not be able to breastfeed but at 22 I didn't care, besides, breastfeeding is gross

Anyways, cut to 2 years ago. Had my beautiful daughter, I had lots of support up front in the hospital and from and awesome LC. Despite this, my DD lost quite a bit of weight and I had to supplement. I fed her, then pumped 8-10 times per day, fed her the pumped milk and then formula to make up the difference. I know that some women will say the the formula was a mistake but I was pumping and/or feeding 15-20 times per day and it is impossible to not give your baby food when they are crying and losing weight. After a little over a month, I was able to move away from formula but I was still pumping after ever feeding and topping off with the pumped milk. After a while I was able to freeze the pumped milk as she stopped taking the top offs.

I went back to work and had to pump 4 times at work, take Fenugreek and Mothers Milk tincture to keep up my supply. I had to pump 5 times total per day to get the 12oz my daughter needed at daycare. When I weaned, it went SUPER quickly. Once I dropped 2 of my pumps, my milk seemed to dissapear. This really scared me, how easy it all went away.

I am pregnant again and am so freaking worried about having those issues again. I was pretty much insane those first 4 months from worry and lack of sleep. I was told to not let her go more than 3 hours without eating, even at night, to help her get her weight up. She was a sleepy eater that would take 45mins to eat, then 20 mins to pump...that means I only slept in 2 hour increments the whole first 3 months. I seriously think that the whole nursing pumping thing spun me into a little case of PPD. I am hoping that it will be easier the second time around, due to recanalization but am not sure what to expect. Are there any other mommas out there that have experience BFARing the second time around? ANy thoughts would be appreciated!

THank you!!

[mom4Danielle]

Hi!
I'm not a BFAR but I do have breast hypoplasia and am currently nursing my 2nd child, 5-month old DD. I chose not to stress out about it the 2nd time around. My body needs sleep and it simply wasn't worth it to me to pump around the clock to maybe get an extra couple ounces.

Instead, I invested in getting donor milk on hand before my DD was born. I only make an average of 9oz/day, so this was important to have so my DD could be exclusively breastfed. I also expressed some of my own colostrum prior to delivery so I could have that on hand, too.

I use a Medela SNS to supplement at the breast. I did power-pump for a while during the early weeks, just to maximize my supply, but it didn't seem to do much good. I am "stuck" at an upper limit of milk to make. The good news is my upper limit seems to be around 10oz/day for this pregnancy/lactation - up from 6-8oz/day for my previous lactation with my DS.

[Megan73]

First, I want to say that it sounds like you did GREAT with your first – I'm sorry it was so stressful for you.
My SIL had a reduction and is still nursing her second child who is 21 months. She uses a Lact-Aid to supplement – not bottles – and takes domperidone to boost her supply.
I'd check out bfar.org – there's lots of good info there. Good luck.

[Red Pajama]

I'm commenting on my sister's experience, not my own. She had a reduction 10+ years ago. First pregnancy, I'm not even sure she became engorged. She tried to nurse, baby latched, but never actually got any milk. Second pregnancy many years after the first, she became engorged, but never tried to express any milk. Third pregnancy she became engorged, attempted to pump, and developed mastitis. Her body made milk, but there were no pathways for the milk to come out. I donated milk to her for a year that time.

Even though you see it as very difficult, I think your first story is still a success story.

[poorlittlefish]

Wow, thanks ladies. I actually teared up reading your replies (must be hormones!). You are right. Despite what I saw as a difficult start, we nursed for 14 months and that is a success story. I am going to focus on that from here on our and embrace whatever comes.

Thanks for your thoughts and a new point of view.

[justKate]

That's an incredible success story! I had a reduction on one side 15 years ago and had similar struggles, but fortunately I had the other side to make up for it. I think the outlook for your second nursling is very optimistic, and if I were in your situation (as I hope to be someday), I would not worry too much.

Give yourself come credit, mama!