Can I Still Breastfeed After Breast Augmentation?

It’s common that many women who undergo an Orange County breast augmentation wonder if they will be able to breastfeed after the procedure. Most women with breast implants can still breastfeed, but there are things that should be considered when it comes to feeding your baby after surgery.

Most Women Can Breastfeed

The answer to this question is simply that most women can still breastfeed just fine after breast augmentation. This is true as long as the surgery didn’t involve the ducts or the areas of the breast involved in producing milk. Gel implants and saline implants are unlikely to leak into the milk.

Considerations

Even though many women still can breastfeed after getting breast implants , there are a few things to consider.

Nipple Sensitivity: If you have breast implants, your nipples may be more or less sensitive than normal. This can affect how much you want to breastfeed, especially if your nipples become more sensitive.

Decreased Milk Production: Many mothers are still able to produce milk after augmentation. However, some mothers are unable to produce an adequate milk supply. Your pediatrician can help you determine whether or not you need to supplement your milk.

The Incision

The risk of an augmentation affecting breastfeeding will depend on where the incision was made and the type of surgery. In the usual breast augmentation procedure, an incision is made in the inframammary fold, the crease under the breast. An implant is then placed behind the pectoral muscle. In this instance, the implant is placed away from the breast, and all of the ducts are still intact and connected to the nipple.

Sometimes, this procedure is done with an incision placed in the armpit or around the areola. This is typically done for cosmetic reasons to make the scar less visible. An incision near the areola can affect the sensation of the nipple and interfere with certain signals that affect milk supply. In this instance, some ducts may be severed, but it won’t be possible to know the extent until you try to breastfeed.

If you recently had a breast augmentation and didn’t know the type you had, consult with your board-certified plastic surgeon. You can also ask them any questions about breastfeeding.

Reason for Surgery

Understanding why you had plastic surgery in the first place and the type of breasts you had before the surgery will help you determine whether or not you can breastfeed in the same capacity. If you had relatively symmetrical breasts before surgery, you will probably not have any problems breastfeeding.

If you had flat or tubular-shaped breasts before your procedure, you might have already been at risk for low milk supply. Some breasts don’t develop properly during puberty and don’t contain enough tissue to produce the necessary breastmilk.

If you believe that you had insufficient glandular breast tissue before your procedure, you can take supplements that may promote milk production.

Talk to Your Healthcare Provider

If you’ve had breast augmentation surgery, it’s important that you discuss that with your healthcare provider. Your doctor will be able to monitor your baby’s weight and ensure that feeding is going well. If you are found to have low milk supply, you may need to supplement it with formula. Pumping can also be effective.

Breastfeeding After Breast Augmentation FAQs

Do silicone implants cause harm while breastfeeding?

There is no evidence that silicone gel breast implants leak into breast milk.

Does the size/shape of my implants affect my ability to breastfeed?

If you had your breasts augmented because they were underdeveloped, your milk production might be less than what your baby needs, but that has to do with your natural breast, not the implants.

Underdeveloped breasts, or hypoplastic breasts, are narrow and lack fullness. They grow very little during pregnancy, or not at all. They may also appear widely spaced, asymmetrical, or tubular before the augmentation. If your breasts were hypoplastic before the procedure, you were already at risk for low milk production.

How do I know that my baby is getting enough breastmilk?If you are worried about if your baby is getting fed enough, there are signs of adequate feeding to help you determine whether or not you may need to supplement with formula.

Observe: Be mindful of your baby on the breast. If the baby is getting enough milk, you will notice a sucking sound and jaw movement.

Diapers: During the first few days after birth, it may be difficult to hear your baby swallow. If your baby is getting enough milk, you will notice an increase in diapers. The baby’s stool will also begin changing to a more seedy, yellow.

Weight Loss: Babies typically lose 7-10% of their birth weight within the first few days of life. As your milk comes in, your baby will start to gain weight again to indicate that they are getting an adequate amount of breastmilk.

Do I have to supplement my baby with formula?

The decision to supplement with formula will be made by your family doctor. It’s important they know about your cosmetic surgery in Orange County so that they can keep an eye on your baby’s weight. If you can’t produce as much milk as your baby needs, you will be required to supplement with formula.

However, if your pediatrician determines that your baby is getting enough breastmilk, the choice to supplement with formula will be up to you.

Are you considering a breast augmentation? Contact CosmetiCare today to schedule your initial consultation.

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