Breast Feeding after Mastectomy

When I was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 23 there were some things I mourned with the loss of a breast, but I didn’t believe that breast feeding would have to be one of them. I felt right from the start that my healthy right breast would remain to hopefully one day do what it was designed and destined to do. Though there were a few Doctor’s that I came in contact with that felt I should have the right breast removed as well; as a  prophylactic measure against ever getting breast cancer again. But I was determined that if I was going to survive then I was going to set out to have the life I always dreamt of and being able to breast feed my future children was a part of that dream. Thankfully the other parts of the dream fell into place as well; getting married at 26 in 1998, then giving birth to my first daughter, Carmelle at 31 in 2003 and my second daughter, Cadence on April 22^nd, 2005. The arrival of my second daughter also marked ten years since my diagnoses of breast cancer and being able to breast feed her was a huge celebration of that milestone.

Breast feeding with Implants

Many people would act surprised when I said I wanted to breast feed, I couldn’t understand why as I’ve known many women with twins who have breast fed successfully. I was working with the same ratio of breast to child so I couldn’t understand the confusion. The only minor concern I had was that I’d had a small saline implant put in my breast with the reconstructive process, which was inserted through a “smile-shaped” incision on the nipple. But because the implant was put below that muscle and also because the surgeon was very good and there was no excessive scarring, the implant has caused no problems what so ever.

With my first daughter I’d been discouraged with breastfeeding for many reasons but I persevered the best I could. She was born with complications and was put in an incubator right away for the first couple of days, and we were unable to hold her or attempt breast feeding. She was given a soother first which I believe caused future nipple confusion. I was weak from hemoragging and she didn’t have a very good suck, I pumped and pumped and did what we could with an eyedropper to get breast milk into her. She slowly started to figure it out, but her latch was never very good and she always preferred the soother, I tried not to take it personally. I believe because she didn’t have a good suck or latch she got frustrated and my nipple just got more and more sore. I didn’t have a second breast to give the nipple a break and the whole experience became very painful. I’d been set on breast feeding long term and I was very discouraged. It didn’t help that the nurses in the hospital were not very informed on how to deal with a situation such as mine and many of them got frustrated and just gave me formula. I didn’t give my daughter any until she was three and a half weeks old. I wish I hadn’t and I wish I’d gotten professional breast feeding support and advice. But I am grateful that I tried and continued to breast feed her for three and a half months. With my second baby everything was very different, she was a good breast feeder right from the start, and because she had a good suck my nipple was only a bit sore in the beginning. I was able to meet my goal of breast feeding long term. I hope you will also meet your breast feeding goals and that you have been encouraged by my experience.

It is advised by the world heath organization to breastfeed exclusively for the first six months and to continue for two years. The breast is best for your baby. I sure feel blessed that I had the opportunity to do what has been best for my girls, even though my chest was incredibly lopsided that entire time! My left reconstructed side was a C cup while my right became a whopping triple D!!! It is my prayer that may girls will have a future without breast cancer and that they will have the wonderful experience of breast feeding their babies one day.