The following is a guest post by Kathy Dutton, an IBCLC who lives over in my neck of the woods on Vancouver Island in British Columbia. This was originally published in our local magazine, Island Child, and I am re-publishing it with the author’s permission.
Can I still breastfeed if I have implants? The answer is yes! Despite many rumours, most women who have had breast implants can breastfeed. Breast augmentation (implants) usually does not involve severing milk ducts or the destruction of functional breast tissue, and is usually compatible with lactation. A lot depends on whether or not the surgeon who performed the procedure made a deliberate attempt to leave the blood supply and nerve pathways intact.
There are two primary facors which affect the amount of milk the mother will be able to make. The first is the placement of the incision. Incisions made around the areola, rather than under the breast or armpit, run the greatest risk of creating breastfeeding problems because they are more likely to injure nerves and ducts than subpectoral (under the muscle) implants.
Amazingly, ducts and nerves can reconnect and generate. However, the pressure of the implant must also be considered. Postpartum breast engorgement often occurs, and because lobes cannot empty due to severed ducts, milk production may be diminished.
There are two types of breast implants: saline and silicon. Most implants today are filled with saline as there are concerns about silicon leaking into breast milk. Silicon is considered inert and is unlikely to be absorbed by the baby’s digestive tract. However, research has shown that silicon levels within the breastmilk and blood of lactating women with silicon implants are similar to a control group. Additionally, silicon levels are 10 times higher in cow’s milk and even higher in infant formula.
Mothers who have had breast surgery need to closely monitor their baby’s weight gain to make sure baby is getting enough. A return to birth weight is expected by 14 days of age. After baby regains his or her birthweight, the minimum expected gain is 20 grams a day. Counting wet and dirty diapers is the main way to gauge intake.
A board-certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) can help you for a few weeks after the baby is born. She can examine your breasts before you have the baby and visit you as soon as you deliver or go home. She can evaluate the baby’s feedings and sucking pattern and help you determine whether or not your baby is getting enough milk.
Even if it turns out that enough milk ducts or nerves have been damaged to significantly reduce your milk production, you can still breastfeed while offering supplements. Partial nursing offers your baby emotional as well as nutritional and health benefits even if you do not produce enough breast milk to feed your baby exclusively. It is possible to supplement the baby at the breast using a nursing supplementer, such as the one made by Medela. Formula can be given while the baby nurses and gets your milk too!
Having an IBCLC helping you will give you alot more confidence. She can also offer advice on working with your doctor.
Good luck! Chances are, you will not encounter serious problems, but if you do need assistance, know that it is available.
Kathy Dutton, is a board certified Lactation Consultant. She has three children of her own and lives in Parksville, B.C. You can reach Kathy at 250-951-9886 or by email to soulution@shaw.ca
If you liked this post, let me know by leaving a comment. Or subscribe by RSS or email. It would make my day.
Related posts:
- How To Become A Breastfeeding Support Professional
- Breastfeeding With Pierced Nipples: Do You Have One?
- Monday Musings: How Hospitals Contribute to Lower Breastfeeding Rates
- Breastfeeding Moms Unite! is Expanding!
Tags: breast augmentation, breast implants, IBCLC
Who needs implants when you can just have kids? I went from a small B cup before kids to a D or DD. Of course they might shrink dramatically after I’m done breastfeeding but that is just another reason to continue as long as possible.
Another great resource for anyone who has had a breast reduction, implant or breast surgery is http://www.bfar.org/. There are articles and forums there.
Kelly’s last blog post..Rough Day
I am due to have my seccond child soon and was just looking up tips on breastfeeding with implants. I just wanted to point out that you posted in your seccond paragraph “If the Incisions made around the areola, rather than under the breast or armpit, run the greatest risk of creating breastfeeding problems because they are more likely to injure nerves and ducts than subpectoral (under the muscle) implants.” This is not really true or needs to be worded differently cause I had the incision around the areola but my implants are still subpectoral. So the insision could cause issues but the implant location is fine!
How is it going Crystal?? with your implants and breastfeeding? I have the same implants and incisions as you. I am planning another pregnancy and plan to breastfeed. I have three other children and breastfeed all of them with no problems, but this was before surgery.
If you read this you could email me if you would like jenniflower@me.com
Thank you
Hi Jennifer,
I am very interested in getting breast augmentation but want to know more about breastfeeding with implants. Have you breastfeed since having implants yet? If so, how is it compared with breastfeeding without implants?
Any feedback would be great!!
Thanks!