Breastfeeding & Breast Implants

Breast implant surgery is a cosmetic procedure that many women undergo who aren't satisfied with the size of their breasts. While there are a number of different types of implants (saline and silicone implants are most common), and a number of different places that incisions can be made (via the armpit or under the fold of the breast, for instance) the purpose of the surgeries are all the same. One of the notable side effects of breast augmentation surgery, though, is that it could affect how a woman breast-feeds--or even if she can breast-feed.

Possibility

Most of the time it is still possible for a woman who has undergone breast augmentation surgery to breast-feed if she has children later. This is especially true if her incision was beneath the fold of her breast or in her armpit, since neither of those incisions would interfere with the mammary gland, which produces breast milk.

According to Babycenter.com, women who had implants due to underdeveloped, or hypoplastic, breasts sometimes have trouble producing enough milk, so they might need to supplement their baby's diet with formula to ensure proper nutrition.

Risk

There is a breast augmentation procedure that may inhibit a woman from breastfeeding. Commonly called a "smile" procedure, this surgery involves making a small incision around the areola--the darker area around the nipple--in the shape of a smile, and the implant is put in that way. This type of procedure runs the risk of cutting or damaging the sensitive nerves in the nipple and of damaging the actual gland in the breast where milk is produced.

Nerves

The nerves in the nipple can become either more or less sensitive after a breast implant operation. This is the main problem with breast-feeding after augmentation surgery. The sensitivity in the nipple is what triggers the milk duct, and if the breast can't feel the baby suckling at the nipple, then there won't be any milk released.

If the nerves are intact, though, and the breast is producing milk normally, then there's usually no reason a woman can't breast-feed. Enhanced nipple sensitivity from implants is also possible, though, which could make breast-feeding and engorgement decidedly uncomfortable for some women.

Silicone and Breast Milk

According to BabyCenter.com, there is no evidence that silicone from a breast implant can leak into the mother's breast milk during breast-feeding. However, even if the implant could, in theory, leak into and contaminate the breast milk, it likely wouldn't harm the baby. The silicone used in breast implants is similar to the material used to help treat a baby's stomach gas.

Benefits

Breast-feeding a baby has a number of benefits, according to CareFair.com. A mother's natural breast milk has more health benefits than baby formula, for instance. Additionally, the mother can share her immune system antibodies with her baby, helping to prevent the child from getting sick. Even women who've had breast implants should keep this in mind if they have children after the procedure.