World Breastfeeding Week – Can you Breastfeed After a Breast Augmentation?

World Breastfeeding Week is August 1-7 each year. This week not only celebrates breastfeeding, it aims to improve the health and wellbeing of babies around the world. In honor of World Breastfeeding Week, we are answering a commonly asked question, “can I still breastfeed after a breast augmentation procedure?” Dr. Michael Rose at The Plastic Surgery states that in most cases, the answer is yes!

Breast augmentation is a surgical procedure that enhances the size and shape of the breast by gently inserting an implant. For women choosing to breastfeed after undergoing a breast augmentation procedure, many questions or concerns may arise, especially for first-time Moms.

Is it safe to breastfeed with implants (silicone or saline)?

A main concern about breastfeeding with implants is the fear that the implants could burst and leak into the breast milk. Saline implants are safer, as any leakage into the breast milk will not harm the baby or mother. Silicone implants pose a greater risk since they contain plastic. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that there hasn’t been any recent report of problems in babies of mothers who chose to breastfeed with silicone implants.

Can breast implants reduce a mother’s milk supply?

Any kind of breast surgery has the potential to affect a mother’s milk production. During a breast augmentation procedure, implants are placed between your chest wall and breast. The surgery does not interfere with the areas of the breast where milk is excreted. However, breast implants could potentially affect a woman’s ability to produce a full milk supply; this depends on the type of surgery performed, scarring in the milk ducts, or the amount of functional glandular tissue present before or after the procedure.

Will breastfeeding ruin my implants?

It is completely normal for your breasts to change in size and shape throughout your pregnancy and after breastfeeding. However, a recent study found no significant changes in breast measurements or sagging when comparing women with implants who chose to breastfeed vs. bottle feed their child. Women shouldn’t worry that breastfeeding will affect their implants and/or the appearance of their breasts.

References:

https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/breastfeeding-special-circumstances/maternal-or-infant-illnesses/breast-surgery.html

https://www.webmd.com/parenting/baby/nursing-basics#1

https://www.ameda.com/milk-101-article/breastfeeding-breast-pumping-with-breast-implants/

https://www.webmd.com/parenting/baby/news/20131010/breast-feeding-after-implants-wont-cause-sagging-study-finds