Breastfeeding after Chemotherapy

QUESTION: I was diagnosed with breast cancer last December and had to wean my two daughters when I started chemotherapy in February. Megan was a couple of weeks short of 4 years old and Bridget was 21 months old.

I was very depressed about weaning them. This and that my doctors have told me not to have anymore children have been the hardest issues for me to deal with having breast cancer. I'd like to resume nursing after I'm through with chemotherapy.

Do you know how long I'd have to wait till I could nurse again? Is it safe for me to nurse again (could the chemotherapy have affected how I produce milk - could my milk harm my daughters now)? Also, I'm having a very hard time dealing with the fact that I had to wean them. I feel very guilty, especially, about weaning my 21 month old (she's two years old now). I really feel as if I cheated her. I feel very sad about that. 

Thanks for any advice you can give me. 

Dear Christine,

Your letter to Breastfeeding.com was forwarded to me for reply.  My heart certainly goes out to you!  While I understand your concern with having to wean your daughters before they were ready, you should not feel guilty.  In my mind of thinking, guilt is for when you could have done something different but you chose not to, with negative consequences as a result.  So you should feel grief over the loss of the breastfeeding time...and sad...and mad...and frustrated...and probably many other emotions that I could not even imagine since I haven't walked in your shoes...but you should NOT feel guilty!

You had no choice but to wean and you made the right decision under the circumstances.  I see you as a very brave woman and a wonderful loving mother!  I'm sure your family feels the same.

Unfortunately, there is very little information available concerning chemotherapy and breastfeeding.  These drugs are so toxic that, of course, breastfeeding is contraindicated during their use.  However, you should be able to resume breastfeeding when you have completed your chemotherapy.

According to La Leche League's "Breastfeeding Answer Book," "Some women have gone back to breastfeeding after a break of as long as three or four months."

Dr. Jack Newman is a pediatrician in Canada and a breastfeeding expert. You can read about him and also read some of his information at the following website: http://www.erols.com/cindyrn/drjack0.htm
(Since you nursed a 4 year old, you will really appreciate his
article "Breastfeed a Toddler...Why on Earth?")

He has written on Lactnet (an online service for those of us working to support breastfeeding) that most of the chemotherapeutic agents are short acting.  According to what I have read, depending on the drug(s), you should be able to resume breastfeeding fairly soon after finishing the treatment.

Dr. Newman makes himself available for personal questions. You will find his e-mail address at the top of the website above.  While he cannot answer all the questions he gets, I certainly think you would have a very good chance of getting a personal reply.  In fact, I think this is the first time I have ever suggested that someone contact him directly, even though I know of women who did just that.  This is certainly an area that requires medical expertise.

As an LC, I can help lead you to the right sources but this is definitely outside the scope of my knowledge.

Please let me know if I can be of any further help to you.  I wish you all the best!

Cher Sealy, RN, BSN, IBCLC, LLLL
Montgomery, Alabama   

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