The power of determination and support.

If you owe your breastfeeding success to support and your own determination, hope you'll tell us about it in the comments section.

Earlier this year I got a call to come to the hospital for a lactation appointment.  There I met a lovely woman, her new baby, her husband, and her mother.  We chatted, and it became clear that we were working with the following.

In one corner we had:

• Breast reduction surgery (to her recollection, the kind that is usually the worst for breastfeeding)
• One inverted nipple
• A big baby, at risk for hypoglycemia
• Sore nipples
• Cesarean section birth
• Baby not gaining weight well
• Baby hard to rouse for feedings

In the other corner we had:

• A very supportive husband and mother, who had done her research about breastfeeding
• The mother's determination to make it work
• The knowledge to call for help as soon as possible

So we got to work, and came up with a plan.  She went home and did a lot of hard work, with the support and help of her mother and husband.  I went home and crossed my fingers and tried to think positive thoughts.

And, to everyone's surprise, it worked.  Her soreness went away, the baby started gaining, and soon it was quite clear that she had developed a full milk supply (which is not always the case - the amount of milk women produce after reduction surgery varies significantly).  I've seen her many times since, and her baby is beautiful, she is glowing, and her mother couldn't be happier. 

Thinking back, it would have been easy to give up before we'd started.  But she didn't, and neither did her mother and husband, and it worked.  It's a testament to the power of motivation and loving support.  Hands down, they're the best tools we've got.

For more information on breastfeeding after reduction surgery, see the wonderful Breastfeeding After Reduction website.  And if you've breastfed after reduction surgery, please tell us about it in the comments section!