Dear Becky--

First, it is unusual for young children to have premature breast
development whethr they are nursing or not. If there is a maternal
"cause" of the lump, it may be the estrogen in the minipill.  Why wasn't
she told to terminate it's use?  There are more and better alternative
contraceptives available and less and worse alternative infant food
sources available. Why wouldn't the doctor recommend a diaphragm and
continued breastfeeding, rather than ABM and continued bc pills?

Second, unilateral premature breast development does occur.  It has been
discussed on Lactnet extensively in the past. Check the old archives. My
own daughter had it at about age 3.  Freaked me out. I was a La Leche
League LEader and AAPL at the time and  I couldn't find much reassuring
information. Knowing all I did, I still wondered if it had to do with my
hormones and her nursing so much.  I don't know what I would have done
it my medical advisors had pointed the finger at her frequent nursing as
the possible cause. Luckily my pediatricians, 3 women who nursed their
own children into toddlerhood and pre-schoolerhood, were extremely
supportive. Their hypothesis was that the breast development occurred in
part because my daughter had been extremely thin as an infant (severe
food allergies had a role in that) and then gained weight rapidly.
Premature breast development is more common in girls who have
experienced this pattern.  In terms of action, they measured and watched
and told me to stop obsessing and checking daily.  My daughter's case
resolved--although it took years.  She is now 15 and there is no
evidence of abnormal development.

Best of luck--
Judy Gelman, IBCLC
Washington, DC

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