Breastfeeding after breast reduction surgery | Q+A about breast reduction and breastfeeding

[@KassiReyes]

Have you breastfed after a reduction or lift? We would love to hear your story! What was the most challenging thing for you?

[@immortan-valkyrie90]

Thank you so much for this video! There aren't many videos discussing feeding after bresst reduction surgery. I had mine at 16, and I'm 30 now, feeding my 6 week old currently. Something to note from my experience is nerve pain because my breasts were numb and so I think its just reactivating the dead nerves in my tissue.

[@KassiReyes]

This is a really important point! A lot of people who have had breast surgery experience some numbness from nerve damage, which makes a deep latch even more important because if you can't feel the pain, and the latch is shallow, you may end up with nipple damage before you realize it. Thank you so much for sharing your experience, I am so glad you are here.

[@aminaben3585]

So u r able to breastfeed your baby after breast reduction?

[@TheHouseOffice]

ABSOLUTELY!!! Golly the amount of pain from nipples is incredible! And they've been numb for so long. Didnt know this was possibel

[@traceyjohnson6351]

I have a great supply, but we are having transfer issues. I believe my letdown is too slow and he gets frustrated. I’m having to pump constantly to follow up, and it’s so exhausting.

[@cali290501]

Thank you for this video 11years post breast reduction and 15 weeks pregnant already leaking colostrum so this gives me hope. I’m a neonatal nurse so planning on hand expressing from 36weeks and pumping from 37weeks and pumping post feeds when baby is here to hopefully build a supply.

[@YesToTech]

I've always wondered about this! So interesting! Thanks so much for sharing! :)

[@KassiReyes]

Thank you for watching!!

[@shar-leejessicaatherton4489]

Hi Kassi, I just stumbled across this video. I had a reduction in 2018, and my husband and I are ttc now. I am concerned about my breasts growing very big again during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Are you able to comment on this?

[@shirleybramblenash3565]

I had a reduction in 2016, I have an anchor scar. I am currently pregnant (28weeks) and my nipples hurt but my breasts haven't grown a lot. Is the nipple pain a good sign?

[@KassiReyes]

The nipple pain is a good sign that your breasts are responding to the hormones of pregnancy. Given your history reduction , I would recommend working with an IBCLC prenatally or shortly after delivery. You may need to pump as well as breastfeed early on for the extra stimulation to help bring in as much milk as possible. Congratulations on your baby :)

[@roar8693]

Doctors will stop at 'yes you can breastfeed after reduction' but are careless about anything else. My son was underfed until i gave up around 3.5 mo. I had zero sleep between breastfeeding, pumping in between and no support at all at home.. if i had heard from someone telling me its best to keep your body the way God designed it i wouldve listened

[@SymonnePat]

I had a reduction 6 years ago. I’m 9 weeks pregnant so I still have awhile to go. I never lost feeling in my nipples and now they seem more sensitive. Is there anything I can do now to ensure a good supply or is it just too early?

[@ziggyc9636]

You definitely have a long way to go before building any supply a lot of women only get colostrum right after labor. The best way is stimulation and hydration

[@swarnimashukla128]

Is the reduction you had is permanent from 9 years or

[@nonexistent3924]

Any updates?

[@muskanansari02]

Heyy I want to ask did your boobs grew back after delevery??

[@marycarmengarciatagle7523]

Thanks so much for the video ❤️. I had an explant with donut lift 8 months ago. How much more time should I wait to get pregnant again? I would love to breastfeed.

[@childofgod2958]

Thank you for this encouraging video! How often would you recommend hand expressing to harvest colostrum for someone who has breast surgery once they’ve reached full term? Would you still recommend waiting until week 36 especially if you don’t have any sensation in some parts of the breast?

[@KassiReyes]

You are so welcome. You could see some benefit from doing hand expression a couple of times per day (once full term). I recommend Checking with your provider about what they are comfortable with for your pregnancy as far as when it's ok to start. I love that you are being proactive and informing yourself ahead of time. You are already an amazing mama

[@brittanyfeagin9937]

I had a reduction in 2021 and my baby was born 10 days ago. Definitely extremely sad that I’m only able to get a few mL’s still. I’ve been power pumping like crazy. Only able to get 2oz over in 2 pumping sessions. I put her to breast when I’m not pumping too.

[@KassiReyes]

You are working so hard! Remember every bit of milk you give your baby is extremely valuable and full of all the same benefits for them. You are awesome

[@aminaben3585]

I had breast reduction last month , my son have done already 2 years and 2 months . Before surgery : Some drops of milk come out from my nipple when I press it. After breast reduction, the same thing: with pressure, some drops come out. I also did not lose my sense of the nipple, Is this a sign that I will be able to breastfeed in future ? I had ask my surgeon and he said : the glandular tissue attached with nipple at the time of operation is 1/4th of whole breast so breast feeding will be 1/4th of previous however what we have seen remainer breast also connects sometimes with nipple ducts so feeding/milk discharge can be more than half of the previous one ... The doctor removed a lot of the skin and sides of the breast, my breasts 50/100 smaller than they were ... I'd love to hear your opinion and expectations through this information

[@KassiReyes]

Hi Fadoua, thank you for sharing your experience. I am glad that your surgeon gave you realistic expectations about breast reduction surgery lowering your supply. While each person's body is different and milk supply before and after surgery is very individual, reduction surgery may mean that your supply is lower than it was before with your son.Only time will tell how your body and your milk supply respond. I'll tell you that it is a good sign that you are still able to hand express some milk after the surgery, that means some of the ducts are still open and those pathways weren't disrupted during the surgery. I wish you the best of luck with your next lactation journey when the time comes :)

[@PP-qq5zb]

So if you didn’t have much tissue removed during the breast reduction are your chances of being able to have a higher milk supply increased?

[@KassiReyes]

Hi JR! It really depends on how the procedure was performed, but the less tissue that is removed and the longer it has been since the surgery, should give you a better chance at making more milk.

[@tameanu4]

How long should I wait to have the surgery after having a baby?

[@samanthasprague3296]

Can you do a video on breastfeeding after breast implants? I've been thinking about it but I'm not done having babies yet and breastfeeding is very important to me. Edited to add I've seen the tubing system at Buy Buy Baby.

[@KassiReyes]

Hi Samantha, I am so glad you asked. I am actually working on a video for that now. And while it is definitely a personal decision, if breastfeeding is important to you, it is best to put off breast surgery until you think you are done having babies. Any surgery can really affect your supply, but it is still possible to breastfeed. The technique used for the surgery can make a big difference too.

[@samanthasprague3296]

@@KassiReyes Good to know. I always figured it would be best to wait. I quite enjoy the free breast enhancement that comes with breastfeeding. 😂 I've always been small/ flat chested.

[@KassiReyes]

@@samanthasprague3296 hahaha nothing like that natural breast enhancement :) The video for BF after augmentation is up.

[@tnicole902]

Would this be similar to if you have had an augmentation?

[@KassiReyes]

Hi! Good question. Some points are similar, but I’ll be releasing a video about Lactation after an augmentation next :)

[@tnicole902]

@@KassiReyes Awesome! I appreciate it

[@KassiReyes]

@@tnicole902 The video for breastfeeding after augmentation is up. Let me know if you have any questions

[@arialholtzclaw-miller5685]

I'm interested in how to do a tube on the nipple. I am still struggling with breastfeeding. I am tried to keep up with milk, but it got me more like lost motivation and used formula because my breastfeeding milk is low.

[@sujatamanandhar7552]

Y