Cysts in one breast and BF

[Bonkey]

Hey guys! TIA for all of your help.
My left breast is very "cysty". It was diagnosed on U/S 14 weeks pp.
I have a history of fibrocystic breast disease. The left boob is also smaller :blush.
So anywho. The left does not make as much milk as the right and it is harder to nurse from. Here lately I have noticed that Ella really has to "work my nipple" to get a let down :o. So my questions begin...
Can I nurse both babies on the right one only? Does your body know that the left isn't being used? Will only the right make more or will it distribute over both equally?
I put Ella on the bad boob mostly because she is bigger and more patient.
What about getting these cysts drained? Should I call an LC first? It seems like my pedi and my OB are kinda clueless when it comes to BF so I am reluctant to go to them without a plan of my own first.
:woohoo for BF for almost 8 months now!!! :yay
Oh yeah there are about 5 different cysts. There are two that really get in the way, one in is the size of a grape and in my nipple and the other is the size of a golf ball and in my lower breast.

[SnowBirdie]

well, as long as she is patient enough to get milk from that breast you are bf with two breasts, and she may get more than you think. what made you think you weren't getting much from it? i mean pumping means nothing as far as what your supply is, so that wouldnt' be an indication of supply, and as long as she does get a letdown she is most likely getting a decent drink. you could let her finish up on what is left on the other side if she really has gotten all she can and help your supply go up, but don't stop nursing on that side, or let her jump right to the other without emptying it first.

yes, you can bf two babies with one breast, especially since you have an established supply, but you will want to keep nursing on that affected side to keep yourself from getting plugged ducts and mastitis. as for the fibrocystic disease, have you cut out caffeine? that can make a big difference in the size/pain of cysts, and might make nursing easier and milk easier for them to get.

lots of women have fibrocystic disease and still nurse (myself included), although the big cysts can definitely get in the way.

oh, on getting them taken care of that should be fine as long as they dont' try to tell you to wean or dump for a week or something similar. if you have local you shouldn't have to dump any milk, and weaning isn't going to fix the problem.

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/mom/lopsided.html may have some help for you to get them to use that side too, and has some good info. keep us updated...glad you got yourself checked!! :redcheer

[MsSteak]

Your body will know that you are only using one breast and that breast will dry up! I have a very large fibercystic tumor in my left breast and it was always smaller and didn't produce as much milk as my right but I would just rotate the babies each feeding and they did just fine. I breastfed all of my kids for near 14 mos. each!

Maybe you could see a breast specialist and have them drained!? I would talk to someone from Le leche!?

[gypsymom]

Yes, you can nurse your babies on one breast. My mom bf my brother for almost a year on only one breast and never had any problems. :woot Your supply will adjust on that side to produce enough milk. However, since you have already established bf on both sides, if you are considering only using one side you should definately wean gradually to avoid plugged ducts or mastitis and to increase nursing on the other side--you don't want to end up with babies who aren't getting enough and end up weaning early.

All that aside, if you can keep going on that side and your babies aren't getting frustrated, I would continue to do so. Try to contact a lactation consultant or the La Leche League for information and advice.

Good luck...

[Bella~*]

:hug Nothing more to be said, that the rest of the gals suggested..

Keep nursing and dont let them tell you otherwise.

[Bonkey]

THanks you guys! I am going to see about having the cyst drained and also start alternating the girls every feeding!:wave

[zak frost]

I have fibrocystic breasts. I breast fed both of them. They each had their own breast. My left breast always produced more milk, but I produced enough to nurse both of them.

[Smidget]

i have one boob that makes more milk than the other one, but i don't have it :para

:woot to you for breastfeeding for so long despite the problems, rose! i just LOVE breastfeeding and i get so excited when i learn that new members are BF, too. it's like i feel like i have an unspoken bond with them because we're both BF, KWIM? (yeah, i'm a bit strange). i don't have any suggestions other than what the girls have already said, but i hope you figure it out!