A rather common question that we have about breast implants is, “Can you breastfeed with implants?” It’s actually an important question to ask if you’re considering undergoing a breast augmentation, and also considering having children after the procedure.
Essentially, not all patients will have the same experience, but care can be taken when performing the procedure to preserve the milk supply and all of the related structures as much as possible.
There are also some factors to consider when considering whether or not breast implants could potentially affect breastfeeding ability, which we will discuss in more detail here in this blog.
How are breast implants placed – and does placement affect breastfeeding ability?
One factor that may possibly influence breastfeeding ability is how the breast implants were placed during the breast augmentation surgery.
Breast implants are typically inserted either under the chest muscle (submuscular) or over the muscle, but underneath the breast tissue (subglandular).
Both of these approaches can allow for breastfeeding later on, but there is often less interference with the milk ducts and glandular tissue when implants are placed under the muscle. That’s because this method tends to leave more of the breast tissue untouched, which may reduce the chance of affecting milk production or delivery. However, every patient’s anatomy may differ, and placement should always be discussed in more detail during a consultation, based on your individual characteristics.
The position of the incision can also make a difference. For example, if an incision was made around the areola, there could be a higher chance that nerves or ducts might be affected, which could interfere with the let-down reflex or milk flow. On the other hand, incisions made under the breast fold or in the armpit may potentially be less likely to disrupt the milk ducts or nerves, so they might have a lower impact on breastfeeding.
Importantly, overall, these decisions need to be made during a consultation with your cosmetic doctor.
Can breast implants affect milk supply?
When asking the question “Can you breastfeed with implants?,” one of the main aspects to think about is the actual milk supply itself.
Sometimes, breast implants may affect milk supply, but it always depends on how the procedure was performed, and it can of course be different from patient to patient. In the end, some patients with breast implants can breastfeed with no issues at all, while others might find that their milk supply is lower than expected.
Milk supply can be influenced by whether any key structures in the breast were affected during surgery, especially the milk ducts, glandular tissue and the fourth intercostal nerve, which plays a role in triggering the let-down reflex. If these structures were preserved, then milk production may not be significantly impacted. However, if they were disrupted, there’s a higher chance that the supply might be reduced.
That being said, supply can also be affected by factors that aren’t related to the breast augmentation surgery at all, like hormonal changes or previous medical conditions. Essentially, it may sometimes be difficult to conclude that the breast implants are definitely the cause of a reduced milk supply, as there are multiple other factors that could be contributing.
What to expect if you want to breastfeed after receiving breast implants
Once you have breast implants and are ready to breastfeed, the experience will likely be similar to breastfeeding without implants, especially if the milk ducts and nerves have not been affected.
You might notice some pressure in the area of the implants as your breasts fill with milk, but this is fairly common and not necessarily a cause for concern.
It’s also possible that you may feel more fullness than a person without implants, just due to the added volume. For some patients, this can lead to more noticeable engorgement early on, but it generally subsides as the feeding routine becomes more established. In rare cases, if milk production is very high or the implant pocket is tight, it may feel uncomfortable, but this isn’t the case for everyone.
It can also be worth noting is that it may sometimes be harder to tell whether the breast has fully emptied after a feed. This is because the implant doesn’t change in size, so it may be more difficult to gauge what may be the supply of milk and what may be the breast implant. This doesn’t typically cause any issues, but it can be helpful to understand ahead of time.
Changes that can occur in the breasts during and after breastfeeding
During breastfeeding, it’s normal for the breasts to change quite a bit – with or without breast implants.
You may notice that they become larger and firmer, especially in the first few weeks after your milk is produced. The presence of implants doesn’t stop this from happening, but the shape of the breast may look or feel different depending on where the implants are placed and how much milk you produce.
After breastfeeding, the breast tissue may reduce in volume again, and some patients feel that the shape of their breasts looks different than before. However, the shape and size of the breast implant itself won’t be affected.
Dr Rastogi: Consultations in Double Bay, Sydney
When you’re thinking of having a breast augmentation and want to keep the option of breastfeeding open, it’s important that you have this discussion during your initial consultation.
Your cosmetic doctor can explain what might be possible based on your anatomy and surgical plan, and how to reduce the risk of affecting breastfeeding, including the milk supply structures, in the future.
Your consultation with cosmetic doctor Dr Rastogi will allow you to ask any and all of your questions, including “Can you breastfeed with implants?,” “How can the placement of breast implants influence breastfeeding ability?,” and any questions you may have about the results or the recovery period.
When you’re ready, you are welcome to enquire with our team to schedule your consultation with Dr Rastogi in Double Bay, Sydney.
