Trying it again

Comment by Caroline Grace on May 21, 2012 at 9:26pm

Clearly women who are pregnant or breast feeding do develop larger breasts as the milk comes in.  BTW, even men without HRT can develop breast milk if suckled properly and on enough occasions according to the experts at my son's medical school. So the question is, will developing milk help breast size in transgender women?

The answer might not be so obvious.  I, too, thought just like you. I even went so far as to investigate which type of breast pump would likely work best. From my research it appears the hand pumps stink and won't do enough, so the only way to try this is to get the automated pumps.

My research into the long term affects of developing breast milk shows that as a breast fills with milk it will enlarge. The problem is that to make room for storing that milk, it gets rid of fat.  Yes, this is the very same fat HRT put there and I was so pleased to see in its proper place.  So after developing milk and then ending that production, the breasts actually get smaller than they were before you started. Breasts also sag more from the weight and volume than they did before storing milk.

Bottom line - a temporary gain, a really cool experience from the milk production, and then the let down.  Is it worth it?  Only you can tell.  BTW, there is plenty of information on this on the web sites.

The only curve ball here is that cycle described above is for natal women.  How will TG women's bodies react?  The answer to that is still unknown. Since we probably fall short of the proper development from the beginning, breast milk production may or may not actually help us... I've opted not to go for milk production though I was seriously tempted just to do it for the experience.

I have also known some women who did manipulated their breasts so aggressive to stimulate production that they end up with discharges that gave them cancer scares.

So if you will report out your experiences it would be terrific. Let us know how hard it was to get production started, how you did it, when the milk showed up, and changes in your breast sizes.  I am not too nosy, am I? I would really like to know your results to see if what I thought might happen actually did or if I was totally wrong.

Comment by Elaina Michelle on May 22, 2012 at 11:02am

I did it before I started HRT, I used a Medela double breast pump for 20 min or so every two hours for about three months.  I used Fenugreek mostly, I do think it helped alot, but pumping regularly really does most of the job.  I was able to produce a few drops out of each breast, I think if I would have kept it up I could have produced much more. 

I will admit it was a great feeling to actually do it.  It sounds weird, but I felt like I really accomplished something.

Comment by Rebicca Ellen Ray on June 9, 2012 at 8:01pm

So far my friend hasn't found me a brestpump so hows the best way to get a good used one.Has anyone got one that they are willing to part with ?

Comment by Rachel King on June 9, 2012 at 8:50pm

What I wonder is, why would you wish to risk having floppy, sagging breasts from stretching, merely to appease some self-obsession, that will serve no purpose whatsoever?

To have something dribble out of your nipples will make you feel more womanly?

I think not.

I'm 63 and though I am not large, I rather like my pert upstanding members of the community.

The thought of them sagging around my navel sends me into shivers.

To look like one of those "granny" cartoons is not something I aspire to.

 

Comment by Rebicca Ellen Ray on June 15, 2012 at 11:25pm

 Well ,I have a breast pump now & I started taking Mothers milk tea today. I'm going to try to keep on a schedule with it,but It may be a little hit & miss at first. I'm going to try for every 3 to 4 hours pumping 5 to 10 minutes at a time. hopefully drinking the tea before each time. So far it just makes them tingle. I'll keep everyone updated as I go. Hope me luck.

Comment by Rebicca Ellen Ray on June 19, 2012 at 11:23am

Well so far there isn't much to report, the pumping feels nice & my breast seem to be a little fermer but thats it for now.

Comment by Rebicca Ellen Ray on July 31, 2012 at 5:24pm

Progress is slow,but my breast have a nicer shape at least. as for lactashon alll i've gotten is a few drops so far.

Comment by Rebicca Ellen Ray on August 3, 2012 at 1:57pm

Major progress today. I've got clear liquid coming out of my left breast so actual milk shouldn't be far behind. Cool !

Comment by Caroline Grace on August 3, 2012 at 2:29pm

Thanks for sharing the report. I just checked in to see your progress and was pleased to see you reporting out from time to time.  I am sure that others will find this interesting to follow, too.

Comment by Rebicca Ellen Ray on August 30, 2012 at 1:01pm

What a bust ,the clear fluid came from a sore caused by over use of the breast pump. It's healed now & I still use the breast pump but not as often or long. I do enjoy the way it feels so at least I do get some pleasure out of it. I know there's a way to get them to lactate,so I'll just have to keep looking...anybody know anything that can help please let me know.    Ellen

Comment