Breast implants and breastfeeding

[LurkingAndLearningForNow]

Please don't make this about the implants, it's my choice to want to get them.

My question is that is is possible to breastfeed with implants? I've been doing research and it's all quite contradictory. I'd really like to hear informed BFing mums to tell me if this is possible?

If it is absolutely impossible, of course I will wait until after having my children to get implants. I guess I just want to know if it is possible as Google is rather vague. What sort of added difficulties would there be for example?

Thank you ladies! :)

Breastfeeding with implants is not absolutely impossible, but there is obviously a chance that the surgery will affect your ability to breastfeed (for example, you may not be able to get a full supply). There may be some damage to your ducts etc. If the surgery is done well then the implants should be slotted in neatly behind the parts of your breasts that produce the milk.

There is some information from the Breastfeeding Network here and a link to the kellymom website here - apologies if you have already seen both of these, but they are both reputable sites which give good information about breastfeeding.

Talk to your surgeon - a lot depends on how well the surgery is done.

Thank you! I haven't seen those links, having a read right now.

That's basically what I've read too - it depends on what sort of implants you get.

I think if you really want to breast feed then its worth waiting until after you have had children for any breast surgery. Remember being pregnant and breast feeding will change the size and shape of your breasts so if you have implants now after Baby's you may not still have the same size as with your implants before. If you follow that.

I have successfully Bfed 2 DC into toddlerhood with implants and am expecting to feed DC3 in the same way when they are born in January.
I never had any supply issues (if anything I had oversupply at times) and never had any complications (no mastitis, no blocked ducts etc)
Of course I could just have been lucky.
What I will say is the shape of my breasts has changed with every pregnancy. They are a little bit saggier and are much softer (but this is better as they look and feel more natural).
Honestly? I would wait until you're done having children. You might even be one of these women who grows 15 cup sizes and save yourself a fortune!
I know you didn't want it to be about the surgery but remember you will need to have them replaced every 10-15 years under GA (and that's assuming everything has been ok with them or it'll be more often) I had mine done when I was young and am actually going to have them removed when I have finished having babies! (haven't had a chance yet as I'm always pregnant or BFing!)
If you have any more questions about implants or BFing with them feel free to ask!
Good luck with what you decide.

This is a really good website specifically about breastfeeding after breast surgery. Hopefully it'll have the information you're looking for.

Thanks for sharing your experience *Poche! Very informative. :)

Eau thank you for the forum link! Bookmarked it for later.

Thank you for not judging me ladies, implants have been well thought out and something I truly want when I can afford them in the next two years.

The links all look great.

DH and I are TTC our first and I have silicone "gummy bear" implants (teardrop, but don't think that will make any difference).

I fully intend to BF if I am able although I must say now i am starting to worry I can't. Partly for baby health and partly because it seems so much more efficient that sterilising all those flaming bottles. I'm a low maintenance kinda gal :)

Xx

I don't have implants, but just always been curious - can implants leak and affect milk?