This is a topic that I have an especially personal concern about as I had
this surgery (reduction with both nipples removed) in 1976. I was told by
the surgeon that I would not ever be able to breastfeed. Because I had had
such a bad experience with breastfeeding my first child in 1969, I didn't
care. When my second daughter was born in 1983 (Yes, 14 years later!) I had
changed my mind and decided to try. I did have numerous problems with
breastfeeding--all of them because of bad information, though, and not
because of the surgery. I went on to nurse my daughter for years, and
changed my profession from computer programmer to LC as a result!! I love my
job and I love being able to dispute this widely-held belief that women can't
breastfeed after this type of surgery! Many can and do. I believe that part
of my success was the fact that 7 years had passed. Sensitivity had returned
to my nipples. I have since worked with other mothers with similar
experiences. I have seem some who were not able to obtain a full supply for
their babies, but I have also seen those like myself who did. Like adoptive
breastfeeding, if the importance to the mother is in the nurturing, then she
can certainly feel successful, even if she is not totally able to sustain her
baby with her milk. I've never heard of a mother who had NO milk--just
reduced supply. My pediatrician sent me home from the hospital with the
advice to nurse every 4 hours. It's no wonder that my baby was a slow
gainer! Once I found LLL and got some good advice, she started gaining much
quicker.
My advice to anyone working with a mother after this type of surgery is to
let her know that, depending on circumstances, she does at least have a
chance at a full supply. Arm her with good advice at getting off to a good
start (just as you would any mom), monitor baby--counting wet diapers,
stools, etc; and mom--breasts feeling full before feeding and softer after,
leaking milk, etc.
How glad I am that I didn't listen to what this surgeon had told me.
Cher Sealy, RN, BSN, IBCLC
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