Breast implants can make a woman feel more beautiful and confident but many may have questions about getting them. Some wonder if they are painful or safe while others ask if they are permanent or not. Women who plan to become mothers or already mothers, may also wonder if they can breastfeed with implants. Before you decide to have breast implants, consider these things if you plan to breastfeed in the future.
Can You Breastfeed with Implants?
Yes, it is possible for a woman to breastfeed with implants, depending on the size and placement of implants, as well as the type of surgery. Breast implants may be filled with salt water or silicone and some women may ask if these chemicals will mix with breast milk. Breastfeeding experts and caregivers believe that these chemicals do not mix with milk and it may be safe to breastfeed with them on. Ask your health provider about the safety of breastfeeding with implants.
How do different types of surgeries affect breastfeeding?
During surgery, an incision may be made across or around the dark area around your nipples, which can cause nerve damage in this area. This can cause loss of sensation in your nipples and areola. If the incisions were made under your breast or in the armpit, be sure that damage to the glands, milk ducts should be avoided.
The location of your implants may also affect your ability to nurse your baby. Breast implants may be inserted under the chest muscles or between the chest muscles and the breast tissues. Placing them under the muscles may avoid damage to your nerves and milk ducts and prevent the mixing of silicone with breast milk. Damage to breast tissues may be reduced by making the incisions under the breast through the fatty tissues.
Will you have problems breastfeeding if you have breast implants?
Breast implant surgery may cause damage to the milk glands, milk ducts and nerves. Injury to the nerves around the nipple can reduce the let-down response when milk from the glands is released during nursing. Milk production may be reduced if your milk ducts are damaged. Your ducts may also be blocked, reducing the flow of milk and causing the breasts to swell.
After childbirth your breasts may begin to produce milk and you may experience an exaggeration of breast engorgement, leading to mastitis. This is often accompanied by fever, pain and intense chills.
Watch a video where someone who has been there answers the question: can you breastfeed with implants?
In this video a woman describes her experience about getting breast implants at a young age before having a baby. She discusses how she made the decision and how she managed to breast feed her baby.
When Should You Worry?
When should you contact your caregiver? It may be necessary to contact him/her when:
- You do not have milk within five days after childbirth
- Your baby has less than six wet diapers daily after four or more days
- Your baby does not move his bowels at least three times daily
- Your baby breastfeeds less than eight times daily
- You are not producing enough milk
- You detect a lump or hardening on the breast
- You experience nipple pains during or between the feedings
- Seek immediate help if your baby is dehydrated. You will see signs and symptoms of dehydration such as dry skin, sunken eyeballs, rapid breathing, rapid heartbeats, and few wet diapers. You may also observe changes in behavior such as irritability and tiredness. He may not respond to you, indicating that he is unwell.
Now you know the answer to can you breastfeed with implants and all other necessary info.
