Women from all walks of life enjoy the flattering results that breast implants can create. However, if you plan to have children in the future, it’s natural to wonder if implants will impact your ability to breastfeed safely. Good news: In most cases, women with breast implants are able to breastfeed in the future without issue. But if you’re considering breast augmentation at our plastic surgery practice here in Austin, Texas, there are a few details you should keep in mind.
Implants & Breastfeeding
Although most women with implants can breastfeed without any problems, there are a few exceptions. Your ability to produce milk depends on the state of your milk ducts, implant placement, and the type of incision used during your breast augmentation.
Implants are typically placed behind the chest muscles—away from your milk glands—allowing milk supply to remain unaffected. Surgery that keeps the areola intact (the dark area around your nipple) is also less likely to cause problems. You can work together with your doctor to discuss incisions and implant placements that are far away from milk duct-related tissues. Be sure to explore your surgery options and be open about your desire to breastfeed in the future.
Is It Safe to Breastfeed With Implants?
Modern implants are very safe and will not leak substances into your breast milk. The American Academy of Pediatrics released a statement declaring that there was no evidence that implants create a danger to a nursing baby. The CDC also agrees that there are no clinical reports of problems in babies breastfed by a mother with silicone implants. You can breastfeed your child without any worry of harm, defects, or health risks.
Tips for Breastfeeding With Breast Implants
There are many ways new mothers, including those with breast implants, can help support their natural milk production. A few useful tips for breastfeeding with implants include:
- Feed often: Breastfeed your baby around 8 to 10 times a day to trigger and maintain your milk production. The more often you breastfeed, the more milk your body will naturally create.
- Empty the breasts regularly: Emptying your breasts lets your body know that more milk is needed. Use a breast pump or manually express your milk after feedings to increase your production.
- Supplement with formula: If you experience times where your milk supply is low, don’t worry. You can always supplement with formula when needed. Talk with your baby’s pediatrician or a lactation consultant if you’re producing small amounts of milk.
Most women are able to breastfeed with implants without issue. By discussing your family plans with your doctor and making smart surgery decisions, you should have no problem successfully nursing your children down the road.
Browse our before-and-after gallery to see examples of real patient breast augmentation results. If you would like to learn more about plastic surgery and breast augmentation in Austin, Texas, please request a consultation online. You can also contact our practice by phone at (512) 244-1439 (Austin) or (512) 244-1444 (Round Rock).
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