Tina,

We have a lot of breast reductions and have had some wonderful successes of
complete breastfeeding.  there are so many variables inside the breast as
well as the style and type of surgery.

(As an aside - I ask - what other plastic surgery would be acceptable if
the organ could no longer do its function - nose, throat, wrinkles around
the eye???)

What  I have done is:

1. Check the breasts during the pregnancy to see if the nipples have
sensation - that the nerves have not been damaged.

2.  Also ask about breast changes during pregnancy.

3. If it is possible to express colostrum at this time it MAY be a good
sign, but just as with regular moms - the leaking of colostrum is not
guarantee of success and the absence does not mean certain failure.

4. After birth treat them as you would any other nursing couple - frequent
contact, etc., monitoring the baby for wet diapers and stools.

5. By the time mom leaves the hospital there should be evidence of milk
coming out.  She may need to be set up with pumping schedule, SNS, etc. if
you don't see there is adquate intake in 48 hours.  At least at our
hospital you can never be sure she'll come back the next day, so I feel the
need to set this type of thing up.

Some moms want to breastfeed and will do it in whatever way they can - SNS,
pumping and feeding, etc.

Others want to give up or don't want to try for fear of failure.

Others want to try to say "at least I gave it a shot".

So - it's up to you as the LC to listen, offer support and give her the
information she needs, be a cheerleader if she seems to need that, and
accept her decision.

Good luck!


Jeanette Panchula, BSW, RN, IBCLC, LLLL
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Puerto Rico
Project Director - Proyecto Lacta
http://netdial.caribe.net/~prlacta/
Lactancia Materna '98 - La Mejor Inversion