Breast feeding after breast cancer

Hi there,  and congratulations!

I had issues with my left breast and breastfeeding as it produced less milk etc. 16 years later it was the one diagnosed which often makes me wonder if there was any issues even then,  but I found that lying on my side worked well.  I know that it isn't always possible to feed lying down,  but at home,  the park etc. It really helped.  I alsoused silk and wool breast pads which had the silk on one side and was healing.  I bought them off a cloth nappy website similar to this www.babipur.co.uk/silk-wool-breast-pads-14cm.html (it's been a while!)

Hi JessCG and another congratulations on the birth of your daughter. I had huge problems with breastfeeding, especially first time round. Engorgement, which meant he couldn’t latch on properly resulting in cracked and bleeding nipples. So painful I could have screamed (I did cry). Things that helped: using a borrowed breast pump from the NCT - huge thing like a milking machine but very effective. Nipple shields to help give him something to latch on to - the nipple was engorged as well as the breast so he was just sort of chewing the end. Had to get hubby to get it going - sorry if tmi. A breastfeeding counsellor from the NCT (National Childbirth Trust, not sure if it’s still around) came round and helped with positioning. I felt such a failure but it worked in the end. My main advice is - get help. If no NCT in your area, try La Leche League. But that will involve a fee, whereas the NCT would be free. Letting the nipple get air felt good too, when you get the chance. As mentioned above, soft pads inside the bra to protect your nipple. 
So sorry you’re having this and of course harder with only one breast working. I was able to pump one side and endure the pain of feeding on the less cracked side, then swap once the worst one had recovered. Could you contemplate mixed feeding? Some formula whilst your nipple recovers while pumping to keep up your supply? 
I’ll keep thinking - it was nearly 30 years ago and my Anastrozole sizzled brain isn’t the sharpest! Hope you can get through these horrible early days and get to the point when it’s a joy and so easy. Lots of love and a big but gentle virtual hug, HFxx 

Hi there, thank you so much for your reply. Any advice is appreciated and I will definitely find those pads. Wow - I wonder if there was an issue back when you were feeding then, how mad. I’ve had some assistance from a lactation specialist this morning and they managed to get her to latch in a different position that helped and I’ve also started expressing. So I’m a bit more positive than this morning. Thank you so much.

• Hi Happy Feet. Thank you for your message. I’ve had some assistance from a lactation specialist this morning and they managed to get her to latch in a different position that helped and I’ve also started expressing with a pump today and going to probably get some nipple shields. Will find out about NCT in this area, I’ve only recently moved here, so have no clue. But that’s a great idea, I always assumed you’ve have to pay for NCT services, so that’s good to know. So grateful to hear from other mums, be they recent mums or more experienced, so thank you for taking the time to reply. Big, gentle, virtual hug to you too. Xx