ibreastfed.com

Me & My Bum Boob – Cindy’s story

Posted on May 21, 2009
Filed under: Breastfeeding after breast surgery, Low supply

When I was in college, at the ripe old age of 20, I found a lump in my right breast. I remember making the call to my ob/gyn for an appointment and the fact that they wanted to see me immediately only added to my terror. Removal was recommended, and I turned out to be quite blessed that the almost fist sized tumor was benign. That news was the most amazing of my entire life.

cp01 Just three short years later, my husband and I became pregnant with our first little boy, Ryan. He was born on November 10, 2005 via c-section, and he was the most beautiful little thing I had ever seen. The choice to breast feed was a no-brainer for us, and I began to nurse him just hours after I had left recovery. At Ryan’s 2 week appointment, he had lost a significant amount of weight, and until then it had never dawned on me that there might be a problem with the breast that had been operated on. We are not sure if it is damage to the areola or the milk ducts or both, but at that point I was given a pump to help stimulate my milk production and was instructed to start supplementing. That, for me, was heartbreaking. I struggled for months to try to keep up with Ryan, but I was fighting a losing battle. At one point, one breast could produce 6 ounces while the other, only 1 ounce. I think my story is truly inspiring because despite all of my frustrations, low supply issues, and struggles, I worked my butt off and nursed him for 2 years!

On December 19, 2008 we welcomed out second little boy, Reid, in to the world! I will never forget my husband’s exact words as he was pulled out of my belly, “Oh Cindy, he’s beautiful.” This time things are a bit different. I know that I can do this and I think that, combined with my determination has made nursing Reid so much easier than it ever was with Ryan.

In the grand scheme of things, we have to laugh about it, as my husband jokes with me, “Don’t hold out on him, give him the “good” boob.” I am so proud of myself, and I think that if I can nurse my big boys with a “bum” boob, then anyone can!

Filed under: Breastfeeding after breast surgery, Low supply

Comments

One Response to “Me & My Bum Boob – Cindy’s story”

Charndra at Part Time Diaper Free on May 23rd, 2009 1:19 pm

Hi Cindy,
what an inspiring story! I am so happy that you were able to feed until he was TWO! That is AWESOME! Another “WHO” baby.

I know that the milk ducts may actually re-grow in time – have you found this at all?

A friend of mine had a breast abscess after BAD advice from a Dr to stop feeding from the breast when she had mastitis (!!!!), yet with later children, the breast that was operated on, and that she was told would never produce milk, now produces MORE milk!