Laurel Post always knew she wanted to breastfeed.
But her plan to breastfeed her son for at least two years was derailed after 15 months when she was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer. If she had time to prepare, Laurel could have expressed and stored her own milk. But she needed to start chemotherapy, followed by a double mastectomy, as soon as possible.
Like many other women, Post had to adapt and change her plans because of breast cancer. However, unlike Post’s baby, some babies still need most of their nutrition from breast milk or formula. So what happens if you are breastfeeding while you are diagnosed with cancer or want to breastfeed after treatment?
All is not lost.
Yes, breast cancer can disrupt your breastfeeding plans. But in many cases, depending on your treatment plan, you can still breastfeed, although it may be different than what you had originally imagined.
Breastfeeding is an up-and-down journey for many women, even without a complication like a cancer diagnosis, said Kathleen Dudley, CRNP-PC, IBCLC, pediatrics and lactation consultant and a member of HealthyWomen’s Women’s Health Advisory Council. But you don’t need to feel alone. “Your medical team and lactation consultant can help you make a plan that fits you and your baby’s needs in your specific situation,” she said.
Here’s what you need to know about breastfeeding during and after breast cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Breastfeeding after surgery without additional treatment
Sometimes surgery is the only treatment needed to treat breast cancer. In that case, you may be able to express and freeze a supply of breast milk before surgery and continue once you recover and all the medication has left your system.
Anesthesia and some pain relievers (such as narcotics) can pass into breast milk, so be sure to ask your healthcare team how long you should wait for the medication to leave your body.
If you are considering take herbs or other medications to stimulate milk production If your milk supply is low after taking a break, be sure to check with your healthcare provider (HCP) first.
Breastfeeding during chemotherapy
Chemotherapy drugs can pass through the mother’s body and into breast milk, so breastfeeding is not recommended for women undergoing this type of treatment.
If you are breastfeeding but must wean your baby to receive chemotherapy, you can continue pumping to maintain your milk supply. However, that milk must be discarded. Some women are able to breastfeed again after their doctor tells them it is safe.
One thing you should know is that studies show that chemotherapy can negatively affect the ability to produce milk (or stop producing milk altogether) for some women.
Breastfeeding while taking hormone-blocking medications
Hormone-blocking drugs, such as tamoxifen and aromatase inhibitors, are commonly used to help reduce breast cancer recurrence. They work by blocking estrogen and They are usually taken for at least five years after surgery.
Dudley advised against breastfeeding while taking a hormone-blocking medication, since the medication can pass to the baby through breast milk.
A recent trial The number of women who stopped their hormone therapy for up to two years to become pregnant and then breastfeed suggests that some women can safely take a break from hormone-blocking medications, depending on the stage of their treatment and other factors.
Breastfeeding and lumpectomy
It is often possible to breastfeed after a lumpectomy (also called partial mastectomy), in which a tumor and the healthy tissue around it are removed. However, because the nerves and milk ducts are often altered, the treated breast may not produce enough milk.
Breastfeeding after radiation
You can breastfeed after radiation, which is given to most women after a lumpectomy. However, radiation can make your skin sensitive and painful to the touch, like a severe sunburn or scald in the area, or its elasticity could be compromised, making it difficult for the baby to latch on. Talk to your doctor or radiologist about how to treat an irritated sinus. Options include special creams and pads, mild over-the-counter pain relievers, and hot or cold compresses.
Radiation can also make milk appear darker and thicker – but that’s not dangerous. Still, you may feel more comfortable not breastfeeding with the irradiated breast. And that’s fine. Often, one breast can produce enough milk to feed a baby, even twins!
If you are concerned about inadequate milk supply, use a breast pump between feedings It can often help with milk flow. Monitoring your baby’s weight can help you know if he or she is getting enough milk from one breast. If not, you can supplement with formula or use a milk bankwhere you can obtain pasteurized donor human milk.
Breastfeeding and fear of cancer recurrence
Fear of cancer coming back is an extremely common and normal concern among survivors, and some women may fear that breastfeeding could cause their cancer to come back. However, there is no evidence that breastfeeding causes cancer to come back. In fact, breastfeeding reduces the risk of breast cancer First, although there is less research on the connection between breastfeeding and breast cancer recurrence.
The Fed is better
While it is well known that breastfeeding can benefit both the baby and the mother, Not all women can or want to breastfeed.. For some, bottle feeding may be more convenient or there may be a lack of support in the workplace.
Whatever your decision or circumstances, there is no need to feel guilty. Some research, including this studyhas found “no significant difference” in health or intellect between breastfed and formula-fed babies.
Although the memory still pains Post, she felt fortunate that her son was old enough to receive most of his nutrition from solid foods when she was forced to stop breastfeeding. “There are many other ways to bond with your baby,” she said.
Dudley reassures all mothers in similar circumstances with this advice: “If you have to take a break from breastfeeding during certain phases of your treatment, or have to shorten your breastfeeding process to ensure you receive appropriate care, you are good. Your baby is lucky to have a mom who works so hard to take care of him while also making sure she takes care of herself!
This educational resource was created with the support of Daiichi Sankyo and Merck.
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