Any other BFAR mamas out there?

[pleasantlyfurious]

I've checked in at BFAR.org, but the boards move somewhat slowly, so I thought I'd check to see if there were any moms working to breastfeed after a reduction on these boards.

I had a breast reduction about ten years ago and I just had my first baby about three weeks ago. Throughout TTC and pregnancy I was wishing a praying that I'd be able to nurse him and reading all I could about BFAR.

So far it's been three weeks and we haven't supplemented with formula, he's been eating my breastmilk exclusively, but he hasn't been gaining as quickly as we'd like to see (still not back to his birth weight) and I'm really struggling to keep up with him. My nipples are in a lot of pain, so I've been pumping and giving him breastmilk in bottles every so often to give my nipples a break. For a while they were very cracked and bleeding, now they are looking better but have abscesses on the side of the nipple and especially at night I'm in extreme pain. It's excruciating to nurse half the time. I've seen several lactation consultants and they seem to think his latch is good and are all very impressed that I've come this far without supplementation. He does have a bad habit of choking up on the nipple (possibly because of nipple confusion) but I do my best to unlatch and relatch when that happens.

I guess I just figured if I didn't make it to an exclusive breastfeeding relationship it would be because of supply issues, not nipple pain. I want this for the health benefits for my baby, but also for closeness and bonding, and with me crying while he eats, it doesn't seem to be a positive thing between us. I'm tempted to give up on BF and just pump as much as I can - but after years of hoping and wishing for the ability to breastfeed my child, I just can't give up on it.

If you decided to supplement, did you do it from the beginning, and if not, at what point did you introduce formula and why?

Did you face nipple/nursing pain? How long did it last? What did you do to make it better?

I'd love to connect with other mamas going through a similar situation - BFAR or not. Thanks!

[chiefmir]

I just wanted to say good luck and that I'm so jealous of you! I had my reduction in 1991, and the next year the surgery changed in a way that preserved more milk ducts and connections. Unfortunately for me, I was never able to breastfeed either of my girls (and won't expect to with this next one) because NO MILK EVER CAME IN. I was so disapointed, but it seemed clear to me and all the lactation consultants that the ducts had actually been removed (not just the connection from ducts to nipple).

Anyway, I don't have any advice about the actual nursing (obviously) but from a BFAR-wanna be I just wanted to say that it sounds like you are doing a GREAT JOB and that your baby is really blessed, IMO, to be able to get any milk from you at all, no matter how they get it.

Congrats!!

[pleasantlyfurious]

Thanks, chiefmir! I am so grateful that I'm able to produce milk The whole pregnancy I was anxious to see if I'd be able to produce even some, and I've surpassed my own expectations, which feels amazing. I guess I just expected that to be the hard part, and was taken off guard by the "regular" breastfeeding challenges. I'm sorry your milk never came, your babe is lucky to have a mama who tried so hard!

[PatioGardener]

Those first weeks are hard, BFAR or not! I'm not BFAR, but I just want to make sure you have checked the non-reduction related transfer and supply issues for slow weight gain. Often MDs and LCs can miss the forest for the trees when focussing on the breast reduction. Has baby been checked for tongue-tie? High palate? Have you had your thyroid, hemoglobin and prolactin levels checked?

And your nipple trauma - ouch, Mama! How are you treating it? CST may give some help with baby's jaw/latch. Also, remember that you can take pain medication to help! Ibuprofen and acetominofen helped me!

I hope it gets better soon.

How are you treating the nipple trauma?

[Princessyoga]

I am not BFAR yet (I am planning a reduction this year. I am a 32HH and 4'10 3/4 and 116lbs. I am in daily pain. I can't wait any longer and pulling my back out a number of times a week. I am praying that I will be able to BFAR. ) Your story is an inspiration. About nipple pain, I breastfed my daughter. The cracking and pain lasted for the first couple weeks. I coated my nipples Lanisnoh, went topless and cried through it. I came out the other side through sheer determination. I didn't supplement.

Can I ask you? What kind of reduction did you have that helped you breastfeed? I am getting an inferior pedicle. I have been told they can't guarantee anything but it will increase my chances.

[pleasantlyfurious]

patiogardener - thanks! I needed the reminder about ibprofen. Hw's been checked for tongue tie and high palate, but I'll have to ask about checking my levels. As for my poor nipples, I'm using Newman's nipple ointment and alternating bfing and pumping. Taking it one day at a time.

Princessyoga - good luck! I'm not sure what type of surgery I had, but I have an anchor scar.

[poorlittlefish]

I am!
I had my surgury in 1999 and have a 2 year old daughter that I BF for 14 months.

The beginning was a bad struggle of feeding, pumping, supplementing with pumped milk or formula. I started with the formula on week 2 when she dropped to 10% weight loss. I went to a LC and found she was only getting 1.5oz in 45 mins of nursing. I was afraid that by supplementing with formula, I was ruining our chances at BF'ing but as my LC said, "the first priority is feeding the baby." I supplemented for about 1.5 months until she started refusing the bottles and then we were exclusive from there on out with the exception of a couple weeks around 6 months where I couldn't pump enough for her daycare bottles.

I know a lot of people on here are VERY anti supplementing with formula but I just felt like my only job is to feed this baby and the thought of her hungry was too much for me to bear. It didn't ruin our relationship because I worked from day 1 to get her off the supplements, i didn't use it as a crutch or skip any feedings in favor of formula. I used it as a tool to get my supply up.

I did have bad nipple pain, it was turn totally white while she nursed and stayed that way for a while. I used a nipple shield to try to let the nipple heal but I don't think that helped. The pain lasted a while---2 months? And then went away. Hang in there as exclusively pumping is a HUGE amount of work, especially since it seems you almost need to have a super supply in order to pump as much as the baby can get directly from you.

Anyways, I am 37w6d right now with #2 and have just started Goats Rue in the hopes that it is a a little easier the second time around.

GL!

[ShwarmaQueen]

I'm not BFAR, but we've certainly had our share of issues. The pain subsided after 2-3 months (due to DS's crazy, but functional latch) but it was agonizing. Having been there, I applaude your effort!

[Princessyoga]

Thanks, Pleasantly.

Well done, Poorlittlefish and congratulations on the new baby.

[Princessyoga]

Thanks, Pleasantly. I am getting an anchor scar as well.

Well done, Poorlittlefish and congratulations on the new baby.

[cindy453]

Hi mama- I am BFAR. I'm lucky- after the first month, we were EBF. The first month I did supplement. Honestly, if I were in your shoes... I would supplement. I wouldn't feel comfortable with a 3 week old not being back to birth weight. I'm NOT saying stop BFing- get a medela SNS or a lactaid, and supplement at the breast. Get a hospital grade pump and pump after every nursing session, more if you have time. Also, look into taking some herbs- shatavari did wonders for me, but fenugreek is probably easier for you to get. I suggest taking both.

Have you read Diane West's book? It's fabulous, you should read it. You are NOT failing at BFing if you have to supplement!

For the first month, I triple fed- nurse the baby, pump, feed the baby pumped milk. Actually, around week two I started bottle feeding BEFORE bfing- this is controversial. Basically you give the baby a tiny bit via bottle prior to nursing so they aren't starved and frantic at the breast, and they finish their nursing at the breast. This teaches them to be satisfied at the breast, rather than the bottle. If you do breast first then follow up with bottle it can lead to the baby being overfed, and they will know that the bottle is coming when they are nursing, so they'll start to refuse the breast. Of course, if you can manage a SNS or lact aid that's not an issue- but at the start I was so overwhelmed I couldn't even think of using a SNS. I literally threw it across the room once!

I'm not on here much, but if I can answer any questions for you please let me know.. it was a hard road, but looking back I wouldn't change it. It sounds like you are REALLY close to being at full supply- a bit of supplement to help the baby and some herbs to help you and I think you will be fine

[pleasantlyfurious]

Our baby is back at his birth weight and gained 4 oz in four days!! I also began fenugreek, which is already helping! Thanks everyone for your support. We still have a long road ahead of us, but I'm so glad we were released from those weigh-ins for the next month

[crystal_buffaloe]

Wow! Congrats on the weight gain! (It's so rarely that one gets to say that!)

[Vegan Princess]

I have implants - so all the same issues as BFAR. I started supping at 1 week bc baby wasn't gaining. Nursing hurt so bad! For me the pain lasted for about 6 weeks. I had scabbed up nipples until about then. I too considered pumping exclusively bc of the pain. But then it gets so much easier and feels so much better...so hang in there! I'm so happy to hear baby is gaining and the fenugreek is helping! If you need a bigger boost, consider domperidone - that really boosted my supply! Also I would caution you against using bottles too frequently, depsite the pain. My baby got awful nipple confusion and it just added to the pain. If I need to supp with baby #2 I will use a lactaid and avoid bottles until baby is older. If you must use bottles, look into the breast flow bottles - those fixxed my baby's latch once it was messed up from the born free brand.

Congrats on your little one!

Cindy

[widemouthedfrog]

Congratulations! I did not BFAR but did have surgery that impacted my ability to breastfeed. Also, chronic illnesses played a role. We supplemented lightly for 6 weeks while dealing with latch and supply issues but always had low milk supply. However, we also nursed for 4 1/2 years, so it absolutely can be done. It feels so wonderful to have that weight gain, doesn't it!

for you and for sticking with it. (I need a pat on the back smiley too ).

[Mamja]

I am currently BFARing my new 3.5 day old son I had so many problems with my 20m DD that she got some milk for 3-4 weeks, but never at the breast, and then formula from then on. DS and I are doing SO much better this time. Right now we are supplementing, but my supply seems to be pretty good. However I am having a lot of pain from latch problems, so we're going through a tough patch. BF is a lot of work, BFAR or not!

[pleasantlyfurious]

crystal - Thanks!!

vegan princess - Thanks We are trying to keep bottle use to a minimum and we are using the breastflow system. It's good to hear it helped with your latch - we are currently using a nipple shield, too (I know, but I couldn't stand the pain!) so I'm concerned about our latch once we can wean him off the shield.

widemouthedfrog - it's SOOOOOO good to hear success stories!

Mamja - CONGRATS!! That's so great to hear! Keep up the good work!