Can You Breastfeed with Breast Implants?

People who have undergone or are considering undergoing breast augmentation with implants likely have many questions about life immediately after and in the years to follow the procedure. One of the most common is whether they will be able to breastfeed. While in many cases, the answer is yes, like all things there are nuances that should be explored.

Possible Issues

Because the glands for producing breast milk are in front of the implants, most women don’t experience any issues with their ability to produce that are caused by them having breast augmentation. However, they may have issues because of their incision. There are several incision options for breast augmentation, including one that goes around the border of the areola. In some cases, this incision type can lead to temporary milk production issues before the scar is fully healed. In extremely rare cases, women are unable to breastfeed entirely.

If the incision is not made through their areola, they shouldn’t notice any issues with their milk. For women that don’t have their areola intact, their nerves may be damaged, and they may have less of a milk flow, temporarily or permanently.

Do Breast Implants Change Breast Milk Formula?

No evidence has been found that implants increase silicon levels in breast milk. Despite the fact that breastfeeding is generally thought to be safe for an infant, there are some risks that the mother should be aware of. Some women may experience changes in the sensation of their nipples or breasts. There also is an increased chance that one of her implants could rupture.

Tips For Those Who Want To Breastfeed With Implants

Breastfeeding can be a great bonding experience for both mother and baby. Because of this, many peopl want to do what they can to ensure that they are able to nurse their baby even though they have breast implants. Here’s some tips on things to consider to help encourage healthy, normal breastfeeding after breast implant surgery:

Breastfeed As Much As Possible

Newborn babies should breastfeed at least eight times a day. Even if the baby doesn’t seem hungry, the mother should let the baby suck on her breast as this will trigger her body to produce more milk.

Feed The Baby On Both Sides

It’s pretty common for breastfed babies to prefer to nurse on only one breast. However, it is imperative that the baby nurse on both breasts until they are empty. If the mother is having difficulties getting the baby to nurse on both sides, she may find it beneficial to use a breast pump to pump her milk as well.

Increase Milk Supply With Herbal Supplements

A lot of women find that certain herbal supplements can increase their milk supply. Supplements like milk thistle, fennel, and fenugreek can be extremely beneficial for regulating breast milk production if taken on a daily basis. Foods like oatmeal and flax seed can also increase milk supply as well.

Get The Baby To Latch Correctly

Breastfeeding can always be a struggle if a baby doesn’t learn to latch properly from the beginning. The mother needs to make sure that the baby’s mouth should cover about two inches of the areola when they are breastfeeding.

Breast Augmentation in Henderson, IN

Breast implants don’t generally affect whether or not a woman can breastfeed. Some women may experience some issues, but they can often get past them if they are patient and continue to breastfeed even when it’s difficult to do so. To learn more about the many questions you likely have concerning breast augmentation, don’t hesitate to schedule a consultation with board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Paul Zieg in Evansville, Indiana.