Breastfeeding Second Child...

I would at least give it a try. I also had problems with my first but was very succesful with my 2nd. I am so glad I tried again because it was a wonderful experience.
Good luck.

I had great difficulty breastfeeding my first child, due to all the drugs involved in having a cesarean section. I only breastfed her for 10 months or so, all the while having to supplement with formula. The pain meds and postpartum depression caused my milk production to be stunted (I am extremely sensitive to narcotics and other pain pills).

However, after the birth of my second child, which was also by cesarean section, I requested they not use such harsh drugs on me for pain and this seemed to solve the problem. I was a very good moo cow for the second baby.

although i didn't have a reduction, i did have a breast surgery in 1997 that greatly affected supply with my first child (born in 2003).

i'm now successfully breastfeeding my second child (one month old today!). supply is great, she nurses like a champ. my son never got the hang of breastfeeding, but my supply wasn't very good either.

i went into this relationship hoping for the best, but deciding not to beat myself up if it didn't work. i armed myself with tons of information (books, kellymom.com, etc.) so that i would know what to expect, how to deal with difficulties, etc. i now have wonderful friends who breastfed their kids (i was the first one to really attempt bf-ing of my friends), so they are great resources.

i'd say give it a good go because your second child may (and probably will be!) completely different from your first. bf-ing my son was awful from the start (so many problems), but was a dream with my daughter from the first latch. also, there are lots of ways to boost supply.

good luck & congratulations!
J.
mom to 4.5 year old chase & 1 month old paige

Hi H.,

I don't have experience with BF after a reduction, but I did have trouble getting started breastfeeding. I went to a lactation consultant (who worked at the hospital where I delivered and was covered by my insurance) and found her to be VERY helpful. I would very highly recommend making an appointment with a lactation consultant to help you get started. You might even want to call and just talk to one before you deliver. The consultant I saw works at Abbott Northwestern hospital in Minneapolis. Her name is Heather Potts. I know that without her help I'd be formula feeding my little girl now instead of breastfeeding her which is what I really want to do.

Good luck!
S.

I don't know anything really about breast reduction, but I had two breast biopsies while I was nursing my second (he was 14 months at that time). They had to take a lot of tissue out of my left breast with both biopsies and when I nursed my third I could tell it didn't produce as much, but he still nursed on that side until about 2 months before he weaned at 20 months. The advice you got about La Leche League was great. They really can help with a lot of questions, especially regarding the breast reduction. Good luck and I hope everything goes great for you.
S.

Here is another list of resources. The more assistance you have the better for you and baby. Good luck!

http://www.co.ramsey.mn.us/NR/rdonlyres/B85EBD6B-C###-###...

W.

My best friend had breast reduction. She was un-able to breast feed her first child, and I have never seen anyone try so hard as she did. I will tell you she did not have milk come in with the second child, and did not try like she did with the first one...

I have no experience with the reduction surgery, but I did have difficulties for a variety of reasons nursing my first son and had to quit at 11 weeks. Nurses convinced me to try again and the second time was a charm. We breastfed for 14 months and he never had any formula. He wouldn't even take a bottle of breastmilk--just mom. Good luck and congratulations on the new baby.

Hi H.,
I actually had a great deal of difficulty breastfeeding both my first and second children. My third one, however, nursed for 11 months. Went to a nursing mom's group for the first couple of months (met once a week, with weigh in for baby and time to ask questions and get answers). Now, my fourth baby is still nursing at two years old.
Best wishes!
R. ;)

Yes, I also had little milk production with my first, but am doing well with #2. Still going strong at 8 weeks breastfeeding (exclusively)! I don't know if this is the reason, but I lost 50 lbs. pretty much immediately after my first was born -- all of the "baby weight" gone in 5 weeks. I was not trying to diet, but just was repulsed at the thought of food. Not the case this time -- and I'm still about 18 lbs. more than before I got pregnant, which of course I will try to lose here over the next year. Eating well this time, trying to stay healthy. Again, not sure if that had anything to do with it, but maybe...?

Good luck -- I hope you also have a better experience this time. Formula feeding is a pain and so $$$!!

I have never had a breast reduction, but I did have trouble nursing my first baby. My daughter was frustrated and didn't seem to want to nurse. I tried to pump, but didn't seem to get much. When my son was born it was totally different. He seemed to really like to nurse and I had so much more milk than I did the first time.

H.,
I had my first child in '95, knowing my mother's/grandmother's history of breastfeeding difficulties (meaning, not much milk ever came in for either of them.) My grandmother was a Doctor's wife, so I know she had the best resources at that time. So I think this information was very sound.
I breastfed my first in '95 for 6 weeks, getting very little each time (1 oz - 2 oz at most). Many lactation specialists helped and there was nothing more I could do.
In '96 I had a "Non-invasive" breast reduction (I assume they are all like that now. . .with better technology). I then had my 2nd child and the colostrum (sp?) came in! I immediately called my Dr. with delight and thanked him!! However, my son had lots of trouble latching on (due to lower jaw receeding quite a bit). So for 2 months I tried many times daily to get him to latch on, and started finger feeding him (pumped milk), then supplementing (a device hung around neck w/milk lines taped to your breasts.). Eventually, he latched on and continued w/the supplement system for another month.
My third child breast fed for about 2 months w/supplementation (same as above). My fourth was the best to latch on, but was jaundiced after 5 days, and once he was finger fed to get the fluids into him, he blatently refused the breast.

So for what it's worth, don't have high expectations that your milk production will change any. However, I believe that any little bit they get is extremely important.
I also believe that we shouldn't beat ourselves up if we just can't produce like most women can. There are options out there, we just have to find out what works for each of us.

Good luck!!!
J.

Hi H.,

I tried to BF my first child. I didn't have lack of milk but she just didn't want to nurse. My second I nursed for about 18mo. I have heard that sometimes the body just doesn't respond the way it is supposed to. And the second child the body 'knows' what to do nd responds better. Now when my son was about 5mo old, I was told that I could no longer nurse him because of a milk protein allergy. I quit nursing for 7 days! My milk was almost totally gone. I was no longer in pain from being engorged. We decided to start nursing again because the formula they had us try was not working for him. By the end of that second week, now day 11 or 12, my milk was completely back and we were no longer feeding formula. So it can turn around. I'd say just give it another try. You never know what might happen! Good luck!

A.

H.,
Breastfeeding is wonderful and the opportunity to do so is limited, so give it a shot and get lots of support. Is your husband on board with breast feeding? He will be the biggest help or hindrance.

I had a terrible time getting started, my daughter was jaundiced and a lazy nurser, but we made it through and I went on to tandem nurse with my second baby. It was so worth it!

Hook up with La Leche League now. You can go to a few meetings and get to know some of the leaders before baby is here. You would be surprised how much info they have and how helpful they can be. I would also talk to the lactation specialist at the hospital were you would deliver. Good Luck!
J.

i highly recommend finding the local le leche league in your area! www.llli.org is the website i do believe... check for your area, and look at the whole list for the closest one. they have TONS of resources and they can help you with just about anything. they are highly supportive of a healthy breastfeeding relationship. i dont know much about a reduction myself, but hopefully there is a way...'

good luck
maybe, if you feel, you can pray about it! God works miracles!

I actually have never had a reduction but did have trouble nursing my first son and then had my daughter 2 years later and was able to nurse her until she weaned herself at 11 months. My son only went about 4 months total and was still mostly formula fed. I think my problem was I did not know what I was doing, had no support, and had no books to tell me how. With my daughter I recieved a book from a friend and that helped a ton. It was by the Le Leche League. i don't remember the name of it though. LOL. I also had a great lactation nurse when I was in the hospital and got a good latch the first time. With my son it was NOT so good and i cracked first thing. I think the only reason we went 11 months was because she decided that it was just too hot to lay on mommy (it was March?) and there were just other things to get done to her. She has been my mover and has to be part of everything. So she got distracted easy. I weaned her straight to a cup and she has been great since. I do plan to nurse my next one due any day (July 25th but having some contractions) I wish you luck. I think its worth the try weather you actually go for a long time or go for a little time. A little is better than none. Good luck

With my first child, I attempted to BF. With no sucess. With my second, i used formula. With my third I decided to try again. I was able to nurse and it was great. I did not have surgery so I can't comment on that. Give it a try, what do either of you have to loose if you end up switching to formula. A little is better than none. Good Luck and Congrats

Hi!

I have not had a reduction, but had trouble with milk production with my first and second children. With the third I was told to drink 1 gallon of water a day. The first two children were only able to nurse for about 1 month, my daughter, the third one, was able to nurse for 6 months without any problems. I guess the 1 gallon of water did the trick because that was all I changed.

Hope this helps and good luck!

J.