Breast Lumps and Nursing

Hi M.! I have an 8 month old, and when she was five weeks old, I too felt a lump. Breast Cancer runs in my family, and so does Fibrous Tissue...which causes cysts. I didn't think much of it, and just thought it was a clogged milk duct. When I went in for my six week post partum check up, I mentioned it to my Doctor, and she told me that wasn't what it was. I was sent to have an ultrasound, and at that point I was sure it was just a cyst! They had to do an ultrasound instead of mammogram since I was breastfeeding, and didn't want to stop. They found a Mass and it had to be biopsyed. Turns out it's something called a Fibroadenoma (spelling?). I have a Surgeon that is keeping close eye on it to make sure there aren't any changes, and once I am done breastfeeding (at least till she's a year old), it will be surgically removed.

This sort of thing can be VERY scary...but don't take any chances! It's good that you are seeing someone for it! I am sure it will turn out alright! I was given this poem, and I hope it finds you in peace, like it did for me...

When things go wrong as they sometimes will;
When the road you're trudging seems all uphill;
When the funds are low, and the debts are high
And you want to smile, but have to sigh;
When care is pressing you down a bit-
Rest if you must, but do not quit.

Success is failure turned inside out;
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt;
And you can never tell how close you are
It may be near when it seems so far;
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit-
It's when things go wrong that you must not quit.

"Don't Quit," Author Unknown

Take care and God Bless ~ C.

Hi M.,

I am a fellow doula in Portland, Oregon who has had a similar situation though I was not nursing. I might suggest that rather than get the mammogram you speak with your physician and let them know that you are nursing and would prefer an ultrasound which would not be harmful to your breast milk as I understand it. Lastly MOST breast lumps are benign. I have had a lumpectomy and EVERY year suspicious looking lumps that they want to biopsy, or do further tests. Try to relax, request the ultrasound on your lumps, and please keep us posted on your results.

If you are going to conference this year, then I will try to look you up.

Take good care of yourself!
T.

Hi M.,

I had problems with lumps in my right breast. They formed sometime during both of my pregnancies, and made it very difficult to breast feed from that breast after my sons were born. I was determined to breast feed as long as I could stand it. Even though as I continued to feed from the left breast, my right breast would swell, and it was extremely painful. When I talked to my prenatal doctor about it, she referred me to a specialist who preformed an ultra sound on my breast instead of a mammogram/x-ray. It was just as affective, and wasn't painful. They then took a biopsy of it to make sure it wasn't cancerous. Luckily it wasn't, but it was still so big and painful, that I decided to have it removed. That meant a morning in the hospital, anaesthesia, stitches, perminate scars, and a big bill, but it was all worth it... both times. They said it was hormones that caused them, and kept them growing larger. I guess it's pretty common, but that doesn't mean that's what is going on with you. If you're sure you have lumps, I would definitely have them checked out if I was you. Even if they aren't giving you any trouble. Good luck. Don't worry too much, the doctor will know what to do. If you'd like to keep me updated on it, I'd like that.

-M.

hi there-- i found lumps while i was pregnant and they did an ultrasound instead of a mamogram. (it turned out that they said i have fibrocystic breasts -- meaning they are sort of lumpy, but none of the lumps are problematic). they say that it is common to get more lumps (or for tiny, non-scary lumps to get bigger) when you are pregnant because of hormones. i would imagine there are quite a few hormones at play while nursing, too. anyway-- hope that helps. ask for an ultrasound first and try not to worry too much.

I had a painful lumb while I was nursing but after a while it went away. However, If I were you, I would DEFINITELY go have it checked as soon as possible. Non-painful lumps should ALWAYS be checked.

HI M.,
I"m so sorry, I"ve never heard of that, and if your doctor is worried, then you should have it checked, but to wean your son, start by skipping one feeding at a time, He will adjust better, and so will you. Give your body time to adjust say 3 days then take another feeding out of the schedule. Keep that up, deleting a feeding every 3 days or so, and you will wean the baby, and yourself without pain.
Also, honey, get a 2nd opinion, you might ask a Naturopath if you have those in your State.

A.

look it can be just nursing but that is nothing to take likely my mom is no longer with me cuz she did not think about what could happen not seeing a DR. sorry hun I cant say any comfert thing about lumps..See a DR. and tell me how it goes.Rember you half to stay healthy for you'r children you'r all they have so get it checked out

Good luck!!!!

T.