Martha, The breasts I've seen that have been drained for abscess have healed nicely. The wound remains open a little longer with the leaking milk, but the milk seems to keep the wound clean, uninfected, and it does heal just fine. Depending on the site of the incision, mom may need extra help with positioning to keep the baby off of the wound. If mom cannot nurse comfortably, she may need to express for a few days. The milk she expresses is safe to give to the baby. Sometimes a breastpump is irritating to the incision and hand expression works better. Good luck. -- Jeanne Mitchell, LLLL, RN, IBCLC Austin, TX "Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a harder battle." Plato