How Do I Know I'll Be Able to Breastfeed?

The Breastfeeding Journey (and it's speed bumps)

In a social media world, we have very easy access to stories of catastrophic proportion.  Even word of mouth is configured to send us only the most dramatic stories - a smooth path isn’t a story that gets repeated. We hear about times things went very wrong and there was a lot of pain or sadness.  Breastfeeding is intense and emotional and touches on every part of parenting and life.  It’s easy for things to go wrong in one area and quickly ripple into supplementation then quitting.  Often times, moms are worried or ashamed to ask for help until after its clear that something has gone very wrong.  It is my hope that in sharing these common challenges, you feel more prepared for what might come up.  With that information, you can face common challenges with confidence and move through them with a sense of ownership and pride.

Am I able to breastfeed?

Pregnancy brings so many new questions. People love to remind you how much there is to do and how many new responsibilities you'll have. You'll be asked very often if you plan to breastfeed, but sometimes a nagging question can pop up: how do I know I even can? In this generation, it's not uncommon to be one of the first people in your family to breastfeed for a long time. You may not know any relatives who have at all! Even if you were breastfed yourself, who's to say you

can do the same? I'm here to reassure you that in most cases, there are very few innate biological barriers to successful breastfeeding. I've often heard moms say "no one in my family makes milk," which may be accurate, but this is not often because of a genetic issue. If it were, it is unlikely that a family with this gene would have lasted well into the twenty-first century!

Medical conditions that may affect the ability to breastfeed

Typically, you would know about these before you got pregnant. If you and your doctor have ever discussed any of the following, you may have issues but they can be anticipated:

• Hormone imbalances

  • Diabetes (insulin)

  • Hypo- or hyperthyroidism

  • Grave’s disease (thyroid)

  • Cushing’s disease (cortisol)

  • Addison’s disease (adrenaline)

• Fertility issues

  • Longer than 12 months of trying to conceive (TTC)

  • Requiring IVF to become pregnant

• Insufficient glandular tissue

  • Small and unevenly developed breasts

  • Late development of breasts

  • It is not uncommon for these to be viewed simply as “small breasts” that are surgically altered earlier in life

• Breast surgeries

  • Augmentation

  • Reduction

  • Lifts and reconstructions

  • Full or partial mastectomy

• Cancer treatments - past or present

If you know that one of these applies to you, it would be well advised to discuss your options with your primary care physician and a lactation specialist.  While these will all change the conditions around lactation, it is by no means impossible. Many parents are able to breastfeed in adapted ways to cope with their conditions while providing milk to their baby. And each situation is unique! 

Don’t wonder or worry alone, ask for help and make a plan.

Undiagnosed Issues

If you are having problems with breastfeeding and think one of these issues may be affecting you, it is a good idea to reach out to your physicians for testing.  These disorders affect your entire body and that information can be used to ensure that you’re healthly for you and your baby. If you are diagnosed with a chronic condition and would like to continue breastfeeding, I would recommend assembling a team of specialists to make sure you are well supported. My dream team would include a lactation specialist, a registered dietitian, and a mental health counselor. Adding the changes that come with a new diagnosis to the massive transition of matresence can be very stressful.

While most biological interference develops before pregnancy, hormone changes occur throughout your life, especially in your postpartum years. But if you notice major changes in:

• energy level

• sleep (more or less)

• weight

• hot flashes

• hair loss

• mood balance

then it may be worth reaching out to your well-woman or primary care physician. IT IS WORTH NOTING that many of these changes are very normal in the immediate weeks after delivering your baby. Don't panic just yet if you're still in that phase.

Concerns about nipple suitability

This is definitely a topic you don't begin to think about until it's time to feed a baby. Often times, parents will discount their ability to breastfeed because they think their nipple may be the wrong size or shape. But like so many other things we're learning about these amazing human bodies, there is an enormous range of "normal" and we often overestimate our own "differences."

There are absolutely cases where a mother's nipple is too big for their baby's mouth. In this case, it is very easy to keep supply up and provide breastmilk without a bottle until mom and baby are more compatible. Basically, mom will hand express (or pump) into a small cup or spoon and allow baby to sip from that. This allows the pair to avoid many common issues with a pump and saves a fortune on trying different bottles until you find one that baby likes. Before you know it, baby will be big enough to take mom's nipple and off you'll go!

Sometimes there are concerns about nipple inversion. It is often the case that a nipple at rest is inverted but can be everted enough to breastfeed easily, either with simple manual stimulation or a small suction tool. Of course, there are cases where the nipple simply cannot be shaped to make a good seal for latching. In these instances, it is important to consider all the factors at play and have an individualized discussion with a lactation counselor or consultant.

Knowing that you have the best information and a strong care team makes a clinically proven difference. If you don't know who to call, start with me. Call or text 757-276-3241 to see if we'd be a good fit. Are you ready to book? Click the button below and let's begin working together to improve your experience.

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