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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

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Original poster

wean from one breast but not the other?

12 replies

edd021208 · 26/02/2009 23:55

I am due to have breast surgery soon, but would like to continue breastfeeding on the other breast. Is it possible to wean from one side only>

OP posts:

Dalrymps · 27/02/2009 00:05

I believe so, i've heard of people bfing from only one breast

As far as i'm aware the breasts produce milk independantly of each other... I'm sure someone will be along shortly with more concrete info.

Niecie · 27/02/2009 00:10

I bf on only one side for about 6 weeks towards the end of my time feeding DS2, when he was 15 or 16 months. He tugged so hard that I ended up with a cracked nipple which became infected and needed ABs. I gave up feeding on that side only to let it heal but never went back to it.

It is possible and was fine for the period I did it.

Original poster

edd021208 · 27/02/2009 07:27

Niecie, how did you actually stop from one side? Just stop? My affected side gets engorged very easily so not sure whether to stop cold or what.....baby is 10 weeks old. thanks

OP posts:

MamacitaGordita · 27/02/2009 08:41

It is certainly possible to feed from just one breast. I know several people who have done so and at one point was seriously considering it myself! But cold turkey, esp if that side tends to get engorged, could really lead to soreness and at worst mastitis etc! It'd be better to cut down slowly, and when it gets engorged relieve the pressure enough to be comfy.

Have you looked on www.kellymom.com? It's an American site but it has TONS of really good evidence-based advice and will prob have info on this.

It's so great you are going to continue feeding after your surgery btw!

Niecie · 27/02/2009 09:51

I went cold turkey because I had no choice but I suppose it depends on the age of your baby and how often they are feeding. DS2 was 15 months and not feeding that often (mornings, mid morning before a nap, once in the afternoon and then the evening). I had no engorgement or anything like that.

A gradual approach would be better if you have a younger baby no doubt.

GreenMonkies · 27/02/2009 10:01

Yes, it's possible, one of my friends did this due to a severe inverted nipple. I'd slowley reduce the feeds on the one you are stopping from, this will not onlt stop the effected side getting engorged etc but will give the boob you are going to continue feeding from time to up production to meet your babys needs.

Depending on what you are having done it may be possible to re-lactate once you are all healed, but there is no need to unless you want to. You may find you become a little lop-sided but you can easily compensate using a "chicken fillet" if it is really noticable, and once you stop completely they should even up again.

How long are you going to be in hospital for? Are you taking baby with you? And be sure to discuss pain relief etc with the aneasthetist (sp?) as there shouldn't be any need to stop bf for or express/pump and dump milk, most GA's are completely compatible with bf (mums do it after c-sections etc), but you will need to talk to the Dr etc about your needs as a nursing mother, and make sure they do what you need them to, rather than whats simplest for them.

Good luck!!

Belgianchocolates · 27/02/2009 10:05

Yes. Breast milk is produced independently in each breast and I've met people who bf from 1 breast. I also think you should wean slowly from the 1 side to prevent engorgement etc. You might end up being a bit lopsided though, that's what happened to one of my friends.

MamacitaGordita · 27/02/2009 11:37

Really good points from greenmonkies- make sure they take the fact that you and baby are a pair and take your needs into account. Best of luck x

Original poster

edd021208 · 27/02/2009 15:27

Thanks everyone for your kind words - well I have an abscess on my biopsy site and the consultant has now told me it will not heal unless I stop breastfeeding altogether, on both sides, right now. I am really upset but he is really adamant that I can't heal or have surgery until I stop lactating.

OP posts:

GreenMonkies · 27/02/2009 16:26

Phone La Leche League; 0845 120 2918, they will tell you just how wrong your consultant is.

MamacitaGordita · 02/03/2009 08:26

Hmmmm I too am not so sure about that advice. Please phone LLL as suggested as doctors just (sadly) do NOT have very good bf knowledge in many, many cases. Their training is practically nil.
Best of luck to you. x

weasle · 02/03/2009 11:01

i agree with greenmonkies and mama, i have worked with lots of breast surgeons (and am training to be one) and they know nothing about bf. lactational breast abscesses can often be treated with needle aspiration and antibiotics and no need to stop feeding.

can you arm yourself with information and talk to the doctor again? how about the breast care nurses, they may be able to help, although usually they deal with cancer patients.
xx

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