How Breast Implants affects Breast Feeding

In the survey conducted on women having their Breast Augmented, response were diverse.

• Some women said they don’t had any issues with the breastfeeding and produces sufficient milk for their baby.
• While some have very disappointing results that they are unable to breastfeed their baby because of less production of milk.
• Another set of women who tend have some issues they can’t confirm it whether it was because of the implants or else facts.

Let’s dig a little with the potential problem

Women having their breast implanted either with silicone or saline implants, their nipples may feel less or even more sensitive than usual. Within 2-4 day after giving birth the breasts gets bigger and sore due to an excessive amount of milk production. Thus, you must breastfeed after every two hours and within few weeks of breast feeding your breast may become softer and firm.

But if it appears harder, swollen and lumpy then you may have exaggerated breast engorgement (swelling of the breast due to an increase in blood and lymph). Other effects could be pain in breast area, mild fever and Mastitis (usually only occurs in women who are breastfeeding results in breast pain, swelling, warmth and redness).

Can I breastfeed after Breast Implant?

Breastfeeding after implants depends on the type of surgery you had or going to have. Incisions done around the areola could affect your breastfeeding as there is a chance the milk ducts may be cut. But the incisions through the armpit area may not have an issue with breastfeeding.

What can be done to ensure breastfeeding

The main thing to concern is that you may not know the exact affect that can occur to your milk production ducts after the augmentation until you start feeding the baby. If your nipple is still sensitive than it is more chances that you can feed your baby as and when required.

If you have already done the implants and not producing enough milk then try other options like donor milk, supplements or use a pump to stimulate the production.

It is very important to discuss about your implants with the child specialist or your nursing doctor. This can help you know the other factors and a proper watch over your child’s nutrition and growth.

The bottom line

If you are planning for breast implant then have a proper research on the matter. But it advised to look for other options for breast enhancement than surgery as during pregnancy women face lots of hormonal changes and breast have an important role to play post pregnancy that is feeding your new born baby which is the primary need for the better development of your child.