What I learned from a Biopsy while Breastfeeding
Last month, I discovered a suspicious lump in my left breast through a breast self-exam. After the ultrasound, my doctor decided the lump must be biopsied for assessment.
In the evening before the biopsy, looking at my left breast in the mirror, I realized that I don’t worry about cancer—I have a strong family history of breast cancer; I’ve been seeing and hearing close ones being diagnosed with breast cancer ever since I was a little girl; I am well prepared psychologically. I realized, however, that I worry about my future ability to breastfeed.
Jasper was 16-month-old and still being breastfed. My plan was to breastfeed for at least 20 months, ideally for two years. My doctor told me that I don’t have to wean before the biopsy and my ability to breastfeed after the process depends on the extent of the biopsy. After that, it really depends on the test results of the biopsy.
It’s hard to find breastfeeding-friendly information on this topic, so I turned to several of my trusted IBCLC friends for their opinion. Most of them didn’t see any reason why I cannot breastfeed after a biopsy unless the test results found otherwise. I was relieved.
This is what I learned: needle biopsies, including fine-needle aspiration and core biopsy, can be done on a breastfeeding mother. The smallest needle available for the procedure should be used, and the risk of milk fistula, which is chronic milk leakage, is very rare.
The evening after the biopsy—or eight hours after the biopsy, to be precise—I was holding Jasper, breastfeeding as usual. I felt grateful. Jasper was curious about the surgical glue over my incision. He tried to peel it off so I had to put another bandage on top of it. Other than that the biopsy barely caused me any problem in breastfeeding. I felt so grateful.
As the article is being written, I am still waiting for the results of the biopsy and I’m not sure how much longer I’ll be able to breastfeed. For now, I just want to cherish the time with my baby while I still can.
Meanwhile, I realize that breastfeeding is such a gift—both for mom and for the baby. It is a shame that there are still mothers who are completely healthy with breasts fully capable of breastfeeding being driven to infant formula due to a breastfeeding-unfriendly environment. Mothers have the right to breastfeed their babies and deserve full support.
I also realized how hard the feeling can be for a mother who may not be able to breastfeed due to disease. All of a sudden I was even more proud of myself being a breastmilk donor (before the lump was discovered) at the Mother’s Milk Bank.
It is my sincere wish that one day all the mothers will be able to breastfeed as long as they want with the full support from society as a whole. And that all the babies will be able to receive donor milk when the mother’s milk is not available.
Thank you for this information. My daughter found a lump in her breast while pregnant and was told for her to wait until after she had the baby and they would do a biopsy. The baby is now a month old and she went to her appointment and they said she needs to stop breastfeeding and dry her milk up. It’s now been 5 months since she found the lump and we are so worried. I had breast cancer and have the BRCA 2 gene. I will definitely ask why they can’t do the biopsy now.
Thank you
Thank you for sharing your experience, Sherri! I’m the writer of this blog post and I want to let you know that after the biopsy, I had a minimally invasive surgery to remove that lump. Even after the surgery I continue to breastfeed for 6 months.
This is good to know! Thank you for sharing all your experiences and thoughts.
I just had this procedure 3 days ago and up until now my milk on the affected breast still has blood. I haven’t fed my baby yet or breast fed since I have a stash. Did you experience that too? Thanks for sharing this info.
A little blood in the milk will not hurt the baby, but a lot may produce diarrhea. You can breastfeed on the non-effected breast and pump and discard the very blood milk if necessary. Nancy Wight MD, IBCLC
Although we wish to be as helpful as possible, we cannot practice medicine or law over the Internet. Responses to your questions are offered as general information only, not medical or legal advice. Please consult your healthcare provider for recommendations specific to you.
Hi ! We’re you available to breastfeed your baby after the 3 days of the biopsy ? I have the same case as you with blood in my milk.
I had a biopsy done today and have blood in my milk as well.
I had a breast biopsy done a few years ago and a tracking bead was placed where the cyst was and am now expecting my second child wanting to try nursing this time. Is the tracking bead a problem?
I recently had an ultrasound-guided needle biopsy and was wondering this too for my current breastfeeding and for future kids we have as well. The nurses and doctor insisted it’s so small and wouldn’t be a problem but I’m pretty skeptical with all the changes breasts go through, starting with pregnancy. Did things go alright for you?
Pretty! This was an extremely wonderful article. Many thanks for supplying these details.
I needed to thank you for this good read!! I absolutely loved every bit of it. I have got you book-marked to look at new stuff you post…
Thank you for writing this! I just had a biopsy on my right side and I have a 13 week old and was looking for some reassurance and peace of mind.
I’m amazed, I have to admit. Rarely do I come across a blog that’s both educative and engaging, and without a doubt, you have hit the nail on the head. The issue is something not enough folks are speaking intelligently about. I am very happy I stumbled across this in my search for something concerning this.
Thank you for sharing your story, this is very informative and reassuring. I was devastated when my PCP asked to get the ultrasound done and insisted on getting biopsy. It was mentally and emotionally exhausting and I was so scared. Waiting for biopsy results and hoping everything will be fine. Thank you again for making this blog.
Thank you so much for posting your experience! I’m also so afraid of loosing the nursing bond with my 8 month old. I had a double biopsy in 3/2020, and now have a new growth found in 8/2022 on my right breast. I’ve been told I have to wean and stop breastfeeding in order to do the biopsy. I wanted to breastfeed until at least 24 months, or further if possible. Reading your story and knowing it’s possible reassures me. Praying it’s a benign mass and I can still nurse afterwards!
Unfortunately for me, baby was turned off by the bandage and nursed like 50% less! Now two days later it’s sore and I feel chills.
I read that pumping doesn’t remove physiologic milk, only a different kind. I just removed the steri tape!
Has anyone else experienced this?
The wound is closed, no bleeding no drainage. I don’t see any redness on outside but I am large chested and there is likely still bruising and swelling inside where the sample was taken.
There really is no good resources on the nursing dyad and possible complications if nursing reduces.
Babe is 16 mos old and isn’t super dependent on milk.
Yes, I’m having a very similar reaction. My daughter is curious about the bandage and is hesitant about nursing on the right side. When she does, I can see in her face that somethings wrong. I wonder if my milk taste different? I pump that side when she doesn’t want to nurse and notice it’s still coming out red. I got my biopsy almost a week ago.
I have a biopsy being done tomorrow on my left breast and I am nervous about it because am 38 yrs old and also a mammogram will be done afterwards I dont know if I will be strong enough to handle the needle in my breast..I am still breastfeeding mother to a 3 yr old 5 months she dont want to stop so I am here to know if the biopsy and mammogram done on left breast you thimk it’s safe to breastfeeding my child from the right not affected breast ..no blood or nothing bad will transfer to right breast from the left breast..my daughter told me tell the Dr mommy not to hurt you on the right one it’s my titi please mommy. I am worry not being able to breastfeeding her anymore I still do produce milk ..ppl think she’s too big and she’s just stuck to breast as comfort zone it’s not. I have milk production my right breast still am worry not being able anx breaking her heart by telling my daughter I can’t breastfeed her on the right one when the left breast is the bad one? What can I do..or is it safe?
Thank you for writing this. I have found myself in a hole of anxiety and fear. I am 26 years old with a 22 month old and a 5 month old which I am currently breastfeeding. I was worried about not being able to breastfeed after my biopsy tomorrow which is also in my left breast. Praying it’s benign and I can continue to breastfeed for a year like planned.