Breastfeeding with implants

[thismotherhoodthing]

can anyone share positive stories or advice about bf with breast implants. Please don’t comment if it’s just to pass judgment that’s not what I am after

I had breast implants 12 years ago over the muscle. I am now 9days pp with my second. Feeding journey with my first was traumatic to say the least - severe reflux, torticollis, tongue tie and CMPA and I got severe mastitis which left me hospitalised.

This time around baby attempted to latch but then just kept falling asleep at the breast and couldn’t seem
to get properly latched on. Due to previous difficulties I was supposed to be seen by infant feeding team but no one is available and there is very little other support where I live. We’ve been readmitted for jaundice in between now and then and just discharged. I have been exclusively pumping every three hours and giving baby breastmilk. Supply doesn’t seem to be an issue as I’m getting plenty however my breasts are so engorged and firm - I was expecting this to have gone down by now. I’m worried they are simply
too firm
for baby to ever be able to latch onto and that I won’t be able to feed at all. I also have fairly flat nipples which seem to be worse now my boobs are so swollen.

due to my previous experience I am absolutely terrified of getting mastitis or damaging my nipples too much. I don’t know what to do from here and whether to just give up

Oh this sounds hard, but I don’t think it’s due to your implants, it’s because your baby isn’t feeding effectively. You really do need some help with latching, have you tried the ABM, or any other support charities? They may have a group you could attend or maybe find you someone local who can visit you at home

I went to a support group today and she was quite helpful - she suggested pumping for slightly less time as my breasts may be making too much milk. She observed me trying to get baby to latch but just said it would be best to speak to the feeding team. It’s just so frustrating the lack of support in my area. All the community midwives haven’t helped and everyone just keeps saying to speak to the feeding team but they cancelled my appointment and I don’t have another yet.

I can’t help feeling my breasts are just too firm as my swollen breast tissue is pushing on the implant.

Can you afford to see a lactation consultant? A good one is very much worth it.

I can. There are only two in my area. One I used last time and her advice led me to get quite severe nipple damage. The other seems quite new and I can’t find anything about her online, she doesn’t have a website and I can’t find anything reviews etc. so I feel a little unsure but might go down this route

I can give you some pointers on positioning to help you get a good latch, was the lady at the group a trained breastfeeding peer supporter?

Using the CHINS acronym, hold him Close, lay him tummy to tummy, so that his ‘bottom’ arm is under him, kinda hugging you, not between his body and yours. Head, his head needs to be tilted back, don’t hold the back of his head, support his neck and the side of his head, so that he can tilt back. In Line means his body should be laid against you, head and spine straight, not on his back with his head turned towards you. Bring him to the breast so his nose touches your nipple so when he opens his mouth his chin tucks into the bottom part of your areola, nipple towards the roof of his mouth. Sustainable means you need to be comfy. Scooch your bum forwards and lean back so he’s laid on you, so you’re not holding his body weight with your arms. When he latches it shouldn’t hurt, if it does, break the latch seal with your finger and try again. When he’s finished a feed and lets go your nipple should look like a finger tip, round, not flattened at the end like a new lipstick.

@MarvellousMonstersthank you that’s really helpful. I think I have the positioning ok based on this. I think the issue is literallly the firmness of my breasts and baby can’t get latched on to them . I just feel a bit defeated as the pumping is making them so engorged

Hi OP, just want to say you're doing incredible. BF can be so tricky in these early stages especially as supply is getting established. I am sorry I don't have personal experience of feeding with implants but have EBF my son. If you can check out Lucy Webber's resources on Instagram or Olivia hinge... I had a zoom call with Lucy Webber in the early days and found it so reassuring!

I have been following LW and I saw she did zoom consultations. I thought about booking one but wasn’t sure how much I could benefit over Zoom? What did you find useful about it if you don’t mind me asking?

The early days are so tricky, getting to grips with what works for you and your new baby.

If your breast is feeling engorged you might find you can use your fingers to gently press back into your breast towards your back to move some of the fluid. It helps to soften the area just behind your nipple so your baby can latch more easily.
https://breastfeeding.support/engorged-breasts/

If you’re engorged you can express a little just before a feed to soften the breast, then the nipple isn’t so stretched and baby can actually get a mouthful.

How about giving the National Breastfeeding Helpline a ring on 0300 100 0212? They will be able to chat things through with you. They are open 24/7 now too!

Thanks I did try to ring them but it just said all the advisers were busy so will try again tomorrow !

Leave a message - they'll call you back! Or try at 8am.

Do you have a la leche league group nearby? They can be very helpful. I think they have helpline too.

sorry you are not getting the support you need - it can be tough in the early days.

you could try the breastfeeding network too, they are really good.

expressing a little just before you feed to soften the area can help.

My region seems to be the only one without a number listed for La leche league!

I saw my feeding clinic yesterday and she has given me nipple shields to try and suggested trying with those at every feed but then also pumping after and offering the EBM in a bottle . I don’t know how much longer I can continue doing this as it’s so time consuming and exhausting and I have another child to look after. Once DH goes back to work next week I can’t see how it will be possible to be honest

I found it helpful for the reassurance and advice on normalising behaviours, I was sent helpful links afterwards and my latch was also observed as my husband held the phone up to it while I was feeding. I'm sorry to see you're finding this tricky, it really is the first few weeks especially if feeling sore/engorged and just noticed the recent advice on pumping too - it's a lot of work! I'd go for the zoom call or see if there's a local IBCLC. With the breastfeeding helpline I ended up using their Instagram direct messages instead of calling as was easier at the time (I needed advice on cluster feeding) xx

Are you having pain when feeding, or are the nipple shields to help baby have something to grab on to? The advice she’s given you is fine for the short term, but unsustainable when you have a toddler at home and your husband has gone back to work. Pumping and bottle feeding will help reduce your engorgement but won’t help your baby learn to latch effectively.