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Breastfeeding/Bodyfeeding after Breast and Nipple Surgery

Most people who have had breast or nipple surgery will produce some amount of milk, but not everyone will produce a full supply. There is no way before delivery to accurately predict how much milk you will produce. Ducts which have been severed during surgery, over time, may grow back. The best way to encourage milk production is to breastfeed or pump early and often to optimize your success. Many factors affect how much milk you produce including: reason for breast surgery, type of surgery performed, amount of damage to nerves and milk ducts, length of time since surgery, how frequently you nurse your baby or pump, and your baby’s position and latch at breast.

Listed below are some steps you can take to maximize your milk production.

Before Delivery

  • Take a breastfeeding class or read a book about breastfeeding to understand how your breasts produce milk. There are also breastfeeding books for specific situations, such as Defining Your Own Success: Breastfeeding after Breast Reduction by Diana West.
  • Share your medical history with the healthcare professionals providing care for you.
  • Know your resources for assistance. International Board-Certified Lactation Consultants are available in the hospital and after you go home for help.

After Delivery

Kangaroo Care (Skin-to-Skin) with your baby beginning immediately after birth helps to increase milk supply. There are many benefits for you and your baby. Latch your baby soon as possible after delivery, feed or pump frequently (8-12 times or more/24 hours), and feed baby both breasts each feeding. Breast compression and massage and switch nursing (switching back and forth from one breast to the other breast) can be used to increase the amount of milk your baby transfers from the breast. Remember, every drop of breast milk you product is a “special gift” to your baby that only you can provide. Treasure and enjoy this special time with your baby.

  • Pump with a hospital grade double electric breast pump for 15 – 20 minutes after feedings to increase your milk supply. Some parents may prefer to pump for 5 minutes, rest for 5 minutes, and then pump another 10 minutes. Your hospital nurse or lactation consultant will assist you with using a breast pump. Pumps can also be rented from the hospital or lactation center for use at home. Hand expression may also be helpful.
  • After discharge from the hospital, schedule a breastfeeding consult with a lactation consultant. During a breastfeeding consult, the amount of milk your baby transfers from the breast, the baby’s weight and latch at the breast will be checked. The consultant will also answer any questions or concerns you may have.
  • Keep a record of the number of feedings and baby’s output of urine and stools until baby is back to birth weight and gaining 4-7 oz. a week. Your baby should have at least 4 – 6 clear or pale yellow urine diapers in 24 hours by the 4th day. Your baby has 3-4 stools by the 4th day. The color of the stool will change from dark green to yellow in color by the 5th day. The stool will also become loose and seedy.
  • Schedule an appointment with your pediatrician or lactation consultant soon after your hospital discharge to have your baby’s weight checked.
  • For more information, see Breastfeeding: Tips to Increase your Milk Supply, Breastfeeding: Is Baby Getting Enough? and Breastfeeding: Tips for Pumping with an Electric Breast Pump and Milk Storage for Your Healthy Baby.
  • Talk with your physician about using herbs or medications that may increase your milk supply.
  • Attend a Mom and Baby, Too or Baby Café support group at our Lactation Centers for continued support.

Supplementation to Support Breastfeeding

Supplementation may be needed if you do not develop a full milk supply. Work with your pediatric provider and lactation consultant to determine what type of and how much supplementation is needed to give your baby the energy needed to effectively nurse from your breast. Signs supplementation may be needed:

  • Baby has lost 10% or more of birth weight. Your pediatric provider may choose to supplement before a 10% weight loss has occurred.
  • Baby’s stool or urine output is low. Good output is a sign of good intake of breast milk. The amount of output will depend in your baby’s age, but urine should always be clear or pale yellow with no strong urine smell.
  • Baby does not appear satisfied after feedings and milk production has been checked and found to be below baby’s needs.
  • There are several methods which can be used to supplement your baby. The type of method used will depend on your baby’s age and your preference. Some options are: finger feeding, spoon feeding, syringe feeding, SNS (supplemental nursing system), cup feeding and bottles. The SNS allows your baby to go to the breast to receive the calories your baby needs, while preserving your breastfeeding relationship. In general, the early use of bottles/pacifiers is discouraged until breastfeeding has been well established.

Works Cited

Lawrence, Ruth A. & Lawrence, Robert M. “Breastfeeding, A Guide for the Medical Professional,” Ninth edition, ELSEVIER, 2022.

Wambach, Karen and Spencer, Becky “Breastfeeding and Human Lactation,” Sixth edition, Jones & Bartlett, 2021.

Breastfeeding After Breast and Nipple Surgeries. Retrieved 06/01/24.