Breastfeeding After a Reduction

Breastfeeding after a Reduction or Reduction Mammoplasty (BFAR) surgery is possible for most women. Doctors have become skilled in preserving as much ductal breast tissue as possible.

The biggest challenge with BFAR is low milk supply. It is recommended you monitor intake (feedings) and output (diaper changes) very carefully. Use of a Breastfeeding log. will make watching the intake and output easier.

And the low milk supply challenge can be overcome with some extra work on your part: DEMAND MORE. Success can be achieved by demanding more with frequent nursing and pumping in between nursing sessions. The use of a hospital grade pump is recommended.

What if you are still unable to make enough milk?
There is no way to predict if you will have low milk supply but if you still have options. Supplementation will be in order if the baby is not growing or meeting developmental milestones. But I do want to make a note that a baby feeding frequently is NOT an indication for supplementation. Frequent feeds are normal with newborns and it is there way of increasing your supply.

Supplementation is best done with a supplemental nursing system (SNS) which is a small tube and syringe inserted into the babies mouth while the baby is at the breast. This minimizes the risk of nipple confusion and also helps to stimulate milk supply from you since the baby is suckling. Other alternatives are cup feeding, syringe feeding, finger feeding and bottle feeding.

Finding support is VERY important.
1. Your local lactation consultant
2. Contact a La Leche League leader.
3. Read up on the subject. "Making More Milk" by by Diana West, IBCLC, and Lisa Marasco, MA, IBCLC or "Defining Your Own Success: Breastfeeding After Breast Reduction Surgery" by Diana West, BA, IBCLC and awesome website is bfar.org
was created by 2 moms who had reductions and breastfed successfully.

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