Breast Milk Contamination Concerns

The Institute Of Medicine has performed tests on women with implants and the exposure of their breastfed children to silicone. No evidence of elevated silicone in breast milk was found.

With saline breast implants, there is no concern as saline is simply salt water which occurs naturally within the body. The same salt concentration as natural body fluids is used so even leaking saline implants will not cause problems with breast milk.

Risks Of Breastfeeding Associated With Breast Implants

Women with implants are at risk from the following conditions relating to breastfeeding:

• Lactation Insufficiency
  Women with breast implants are less likely to be have an adequate supply of milk for breastfeeding. In severe cases they are unable to breastfeed at all. The main cause of this is that the placement of the implants may interrupt or disturb the milk ducts which transport milk from the breast to the nipples. Subglandular breast implant placement does carry a slightly higher risk of lactation insufficiency than submuscular implant placement. Another cause is the loss of sensitivity in the nipples which inhibits the stimulus to lactate (produce milk). The periareolar incision carries the highest risk here because the surgical incision may damage the milk ducts or nerves near the nipples that stimulate milk production. Many women who their implants placed with the periareolar incision are still able to breastfeed successfully.
  
  
• Deterred From Breastfeeding
  Women with breast implants are more likely to be deterred from breastfeeding due to their implants or concern that they will suffer from lactation insufficiency.

Consult With Your Surgeon

It is important that you discuss breastfeeding with your surgeon in your breast enlargement surgery consultation, even if you do not plan on having a child in the near future but further down the line. Your surgeon will be able to work with you to obtain the best result.

New mothers usually have some problems with breastfeeding at first. Even minor ones that are common can leave you wondering if your breast implants are causing trouble. Women with implants have a higher incidence of low milk production, but this shouldn't discourage you from breastfeeding. Speak to your doctor about ways to supplement your milk supply and to ensure that your baby is getting all the nutrition he or she needs.