trouble breastfeeding.

8 replies

aimzbub22 · 15/12/2011 19:25

hi just a question. three years ago i had a lump removed from my breast. now i am having trouble breast feeding from the one that had the operation. i have tried pumping and keeping her on that breast for longer to try and build up the supply but i can only get about one ounce from it. i am going to see my doctor about it tomorrow because i have now noticed i am incredibly lop sided. didn't know whether any one else had had this problem and how they dealt with it.
cheers.

OP posts:

GoodMocKingWenceslas · 15/12/2011 21:58

Good luck with the doc. Remember that the amount you can express bears no relation to how much your baby gets. Keep putting your baby to that breast and try switch nursing (kellymom has good info).

HumphreyCobbler · 15/12/2011 22:02

Can you ask your midwife to refer you to a lactation consultant? Sometimes (sadly) doctors are not actually that knowledgable about breastfeeding.

FWIW I could never express anything much from either of mine, so this is not necessarily any indication of a problem.

Original poster

aimzbub22 · 15/12/2011 22:08

its just when i have fed her on both she still seems hungry. won't take a pacifier, is dry, winded, won't take interest in her toys or books and just cries until i put her back on and then because she has emptied them cries while on the breast. i dunno. theWu time i can see a breastfeeding advisor isn't until January now.

OP posts:

JollyBear · 15/12/2011 22:11

I expressed for almost three weeks when my DD was in Neo Natal and one side always produced almost double the amount of milk as the other. Apparently it is very common to have a better side.

The hospital where you had your op might be better placed to help if you have no luck with your GP.

TruthSweet · 15/12/2011 22:29

How old is baby?

You can (and it's quite normal) for a baby to want to take 3 or more 'sides' and a breast is never empty. There are groups of milk ducts that are all at different stages of making/storing milk so even if one duct has been mostly emptied (the 'emptier' the breast the quicker the milk production) , then other ducts will be at different stages of production. It's like a relay race, there is always another duct coming up to take the baton.

Breast compressions might help if your DD gets fretful with slower flow at the end of a feed so perhaps try those to see how they work for you and your DD?

Original poster

aimzbub22 · 15/12/2011 22:31

i had my op at the royal marsden. they warned me i may have difficulty breastfeeding from the one they were going to operate on. i can pump pretty much 5 oz from the right breast yet only one oz from the left one.

OP posts:

Original poster

aimzbub22 · 15/12/2011 22:32

LO is two months today

OP posts:

TruthSweet · 15/12/2011 22:46

Could you call one of the bfing helplines to get some RL advice/information on your situation?

It is perfectly possible to bf on one side only (mums can bf twins and more!) but this can lead to the lopsided look you mention is already happening to you. I know this is only 'cosmetic' but it can be quite upsetting for some mothers if it is noticeable under clothes. There are ways and means to bulk out the smaller side though ('chicken fillets', pads etc) that can minimise the difference so it isn't visible under clothes.

Flip