My name is Sarah, and I am a junior nursing student at the University of North 
Dakota.  I am currently enrolled in a childbearing class, and am working in the 
OB setting for clinicals. I joined this listsev to learn more about breastfeeding 
in hopes of it aiding me in the clinical setting. A topic that interested me 
greatly was if a decreased ability to breastfeed existed after a breast 
reduction.

Some women’s breasts are so heavy that they suffer from soreness in the 
neck, shoulders, and back as well as they have posture problems. Several of 
these women have their breasts reduced through mammoplasty, in doing so 
improving their physical and mental state of health (Engstrom and Fridlund, 
2000).  These women who undergo breast reduction surgery may have 
additional questions pertaining to being able to breastfeed their child.

According to Chamblin (2006) the ability to successfully breastfeed relies on 
the type of surgery performed for reduction. The Inferior Pedicle surgical 
technique is used most often and it does not compromise the nerves or blood 
supply to the nipple or areola. For that reason, it usually preserves the 
capability for the breast to produce milk.  Techniques where the nipple and 
areola are severed and entirely removed from blood and nerve supply result in 
the greatest impairment and least chance for women to be able to produce 
milk. 

Souto, Giugliani, Giugliani, and Schneider (2003) reported that the duration of 
exclusive or any breastfeeding was reduced in women who had a reduction 
mammoplasty. According to this study, the prevalence of breastfeeding at 3 
months was 54% for those who did not have breast surgery compared to 27% 
for those who had a breast reduction.

What personal experiences have you had with women who breastfeed after 
having a breast reduction? I would like to thank you in advance for your 
responses. 

Sarah, SN Univeristy of North Dakota


Chamblin, C. (2006). Breastfeeding after breast reduction: what nurses & 
moms need to know. AWHONN Lifelines, 10, Retrieved April 1, 2007, from 
http://ejournals.ebsco.com.ezproxy.undmedlibrary.org/Direct.asp?
AccessToken=6V9V2VM89KC	NFNNLHIO3XOV39Z9Z892LHH&Show=Object

Engstrom, B.L., & Fridlund, B. (2000). Women's views of counselling received in 
connection with breast-feeding after reduction mammoplasty. Journal of 
Advanced Nursing, 32, Retrieved April 1, 2007, 	from 
http://web.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.undmedlibrary.org/ehost/detail?
vid=12&hid=102&sid=8a2a20	9e-94a3-	4f71-8776-d9899e96fc33%
40sessionmgr102.

Souto, G. C., Giugliani, E. R., Giugliani, C., & Schneider, M.A. (2003). The 
impact of breast reduction 	surgery on breastfeeding performance. Journal of 
Human Lactation, 19, Retrieved April 1,2007, from http://jhl.sagepub.com.
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