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Infant feeding

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

Breastfeeding with one breast

21 replies

davidla · 12/03/2009 20:56

Hi - my wife had a mastectomy 4 years ago and is now 10 weeks pregnant. Does anyone have experience of bfing a baby with only 1 breast (that's you with one breast, not the baby!)Do you have any tips?
Thanks,
David

OP posts:
goingnowherefast · 12/03/2009 21:00

Hi Davidla
I have no experience of this from day 1, but have been feeding from just one breast from about a month in to my DD's life. She would not latch on the other one and eventually we stopped trying. It has been fine. She feeds very often, whether it is to do with this I don't know, but I've had no other problems.
I hope this helps

NormaJeanBaker · 12/03/2009 21:01

Hello - no one is answering and I'm afraid I was crap at breastfeeding even with two breasts but there are people on here who can help with your question I think - Tik Tok is one. Not sure how to get her attention - maybe post again with her name in the title?

Huge congratulations on the pregnancy though how fantastic for you both.
X

lyra41 · 12/03/2009 21:07

yes I think this is entirely possible. A friend of mine had one breast that didn't work very well and ended up just using one.

Ineedsomesleep · 12/03/2009 21:09

Can't see why its not possible. Have feed DS for weeks at a time on one side.

Think your wife should get in touch with a Bfing counsellor and talk through what to expect and any worries she may have.

Congratulations.

Ineedsomesleep · 12/03/2009 21:10

Whoops that should have been fed.

whomovedmychocolate · 12/03/2009 21:10

Hello

I had half the milk ducts removed in one breast (not so extensive obviously but bear with me). I'm breast feeding both a toddler and an eight month old. It is possible but she will need a lot of help and support to start with. It's hard and you might find initially she experiences a lot of shoulder tip pain - you end up holding the baby exclusively on that side more and your muscle balance is messed about with). Contact your local maternity unit and ask what support there is for breastfeeding mums and arrange an appointment for her to talk about it both now and after the birth.

And ASK, ASK and ASK AGAIN to be shown to how to nurse (ask on her behalf - she may be feeling quite low after the birth and it's hard to ask sometimes).

BTW congratulations to you birth - this is a whole new start for you - enjoy it

rempy · 12/03/2009 21:11

Friend of mine just couldnt get baby to latch on one side, so fed on one and pumped the other. No problems.

Congrats.

broguemum · 12/03/2009 21:13

My SIL fed two babies from one side only with no problems (apart from some biting later on!) so don't worry - it can work. Best of luck and congratulations.

davidla · 12/03/2009 21:58

Blimey - thanks for all the quick replies, good wishes and tips!
This will be our second child (son is almost 6 - and my wife hadn't had cancer at that point).
It's great to hear that so many of you have managed to successfully feed with one breast - hopefully she can also join this group too.

OP posts:
whomovedmychocolate · 12/03/2009 21:59

Ooh send her on down - we'll definitely talk to her and try and help! There's a men's bit too where you go and complain about how irrational we are (quite understandable!) if you are so inclined too!

whomovedmychocolate · 12/03/2009 22:01

You might also want to go see your local mumsnet site - there are probably some locals around who will know what the support services are like in your area or at least be able to meet her for a cuppa at the local groups. I'm told it's quite hard when you go back into mummyhood after a few years because you lose touch with all the bits that kept you sane first time round!

abitsleepy · 12/03/2009 22:03

Hi, I'm normally just a lurker here but just had to respond to your post.

I had a mastectomy age 24 and went on to have 2 babies. With the first one I went through a terrible time trying to breastfeed - I managed 10 days but had to stop after that. The thing that I found most difficult was the memories that resurfaced of the op and treatments. When my milk came in I could obviously only feel one side - the one breast went massive and painful and I found it very difficult having to think about my boobs and look at them all the time (if that makes any sense!) It brought back a lot of feelings I thought I had forgotten.

Of course, things may be very different for your wife, it is certainly physically possible to do it and she may take to it beautifully. But I think what I want to say is that I was never prepared for the emotional side of things and the memories that resurfaced very vividly. Of course I don't know anything about your wife's history but just wanted to advise that this could be an issue.

My very heartfelt advice would be to take each day is it comes, don't put any expectations on yourselves. The most important thing to your baby is that their mum is happy. If she has to use formula to achieve that she must not give herself a hard time.

I put myself though a difficult time, and a massive guilt trip trying to make breastfeeding work with my first. With my second (now 9 months) I decided not to do that and that every breastfeed would be a bonus but not something I would expect fron myself. I was thrilled with 3 very special breastfeeds with him, but I'm afraid that I felt unable to continue after that.

I really don't want to put you off and I really hope your wife is successful at breast feeding. My difficult experience certainly doesn't mean that hers will be. But I think I just wanted to prepare you for possible emotional issues (as well as the physical challenges that the breast advisors will be able to help you with). Every single breast feed will be a massive achievement after what she has been through and she will need all your love and support.

It is pretty uncommon to meet other women who have had pregnancy after mastectomy (I guess partly because pre-menopausal breast cancer is rarer and partly because of being the high chance of sterility after chemo) so if either of you want to chat I would be only too happy to help if I can. Please just shout!

Many congratulations on the pregnancy and I think you are fantastic for being so well prepared and supportive. I wish you every happiness.

chequersmate · 12/03/2009 22:03

I gave up using the rubbish side and just fed from one side for the final two months, it was fine.

Good luck to your wife and HUGE congratulations on her recovery and pregnancy.

Ineedsomesleep · 12/03/2009 22:04

Have a look here too.

She can go while she is pregnant and meet everyone, have a coffee and get some advice.

suwoo · 12/03/2009 22:19

That was a lovely thoughtful post abitsleepy. I'm sorry to hear that it didn't work out for you. I have a lot of breast 'ishoos' and I'm really hoping to bf my DC3 successfully.

Good luck davidla and mrsdavidla.

spiderbabymum · 12/03/2009 22:38

Congratulatons to you both .

Most BF babies favour one side .
Lots of women for various reasons end up feeding mainly from, or exclusively from one side.(i remember reading lots of threads on here about people anxious about feeding from one side)
As regards milk production ...the info I read suggested that one Breast Can Produce PLENTY of milk for a baby . So theres absolutely no Issue about quantity .

But yes Engorgement in the first few days could be a problem . This is eased by hand expressing which a BF counsellor can show your wife how to do .

The Best info I could find on BF in General was on a site called Kellymom . Its so comprehensive that it may even answer your specific question.

Good Luck

spiderbabymum · 12/03/2009 22:43

www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/mom/breast-surgery.html

Found this under Common Breast feeding concerns _ MOM.....

Its an american website .

abitsleepy · 12/03/2009 22:48

Thanks suwoo. I feel OK that it didn't work out now. I look at my two beautiful boys and feel so lucky to have them. They don't seem to mind that they weren't BF for long

I really hope the BFing works out for you with DC3.

davidla · 13/03/2009 11:10

Thanks so much for your fantastic post abitsleepy. I really appreciate you replying, and it's great to hear from someone who is in a similar situation as my wife.
I gave my wife the link to this thread - it's really up to her what she wants to do with it/how much outside help she needs.
I know with son #1 she didn't bf for very long, but like you when I look at his young, handsome, smart face I don't feel he's suffering because of it!
Thanks again.

OP posts:
abitsleepy · 13/03/2009 11:39

You are very welcome Davidla

AnnVan · 13/03/2009 12:39

david - a friend from my bf group has one funtional breast. The milk ducts in the other were broken when a cyst was removed through her nipple. She feeds just fine from one breast. She is currently feeding the second baby since the op. Congratulations and good luck!

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