In a message dated 4/29/2003 2:58:49 PM Central Standard Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:

> I am seeing a mother of twin boys who are now almost 3 months old. She is
> BFing beautifully and also pumping to give herself a break once a day.
> Weight gain good. One baby is a much stronger nurser than the other (they
> were born 36 wks.)
> Her problem: repeated engorgement of one breast.
>

Dear Gerri:
       Several years ago, at a conference at Rush-Presbyterian Medical Center
in Chicago, IL, USA, about breast cancer and breast surgery and their effects
on breastfeeding, one of the speakers mentioned that unexplained unilateral
engorgement can be a symptom of breast cancer.  I don't know the reference(s)
to support this statement, but it might be a good idea for mom to explore
this possibility with her doctor.  You may need to let her know that
ultrasound usually works better on a lactating breast than mammograms, so
that if necessary she can dialogue more effectively with her doctor.
       Also, is it possible that the breast got engorged in the early days
and never really got "back to normal"?  I admit this seems like a real long
shot.  But perhaps a cautious use of cabbage leaves on the engorged breast
would help.  Like using the leaves for 15 minutes after one feeding, then
waiting until after the next feeding to determine if she might need to do
this again.  Like I said, this doesn't seem like a very plausible
explanation, but I've been working with lactating women long enough to see
all kinds of things that "just shouldn't be"!
       Dee Kassing, BS, MLS, IBCLC
       Collinsville, Illinois, central USA

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