OBJECTIVE: To determine if it is possible to successfully breastfeed after reduction mammaplasty with intact continuity between papilla and glandular tissue. DESIGN: Retrospective by use of a written questionnaire. METHOD: Between 1986 and 2000, 994 women under the age of 35 underwent a reduction mammaplasty at the Medical Centre in Leeuwarden, The Netherlands. They were all sent a questionnaire of which 585 were completed correctly and returned. RESULTS: Of the 585 women, 215 had had one or more children and 90 had started breastfeeding, 57 of whom were successful (63%). In non-operated women this figure is 69%. The advice to try to breastfeed was associated with a higher percentage of success than the advice not to try--78% and 42% respectively. CONCLUSION: It appears to be justified to encourage women who have had a breast reduction to attempt to breastfeed after the birth of a child.