Will My Breast Implants Affect Breastfeeding My Child

Do Breast Implants affect Breastfeeding & Pregnancy - Breast Feeding

Women from all over the world have received breast implants over the last 40+ years. Breast augmentation is still one of the most popular elective cosmetic surgeries in Australia. Due to the growing number of women having breast augmentation before having children many have questioned whether they will be able to breastfeed when they do finally decide to start their family. For most women with implants breastfeeding should not be a problem. The general consensus is that if you had been able to breastfeed before surgery, then there should be no reason why you could not breastfeed after the surgery.

Breast Surgery Incisions and Milk Ducts

During surgery some nerves or milk ducts can be adversely affected due to how the breast is cut, the placement of the implants and the type of implants. There are three more commonly used incisions for breast implants – inframammary fold (under or the breast fold); periareolar (around the nipple); and transaxillary (through the armpit). It may be suggested that to avoid damage to the milk ducts or nerves the incision can be made under the breast, in the armpit or through the belly button.

Under the breast seems to be the most common and widely used approach.Doctors seem to now be able to minimize the actual incision and thus the scarring. With the implants being placed beneath the muscle tissue it has been said that this poses a lesser chance of obstructing the milk ducts and nerves in the nipple area. This is definitely something to bring up with your surgeon at your consult.

Is Silicone a concern?

Another consideration when receiving breast implants is whether to choose saline or silicone filled implants. Although, both are housed in a silicone package it all depends on how you want your breast to look. In Australia, nearly all implants chosen are silicone. Saline implants tend to cause a rippling of the skin, but it is easier to detect when an implant ruptures. Once ruptured the saline is absorbed into the body over the next few days changing the appearance of the breast. The only way to tell when the silicone implants rupture, is to perform an MRI to see if the silicone has reached as far as the lymph nodes. Surgeons prefer to remove the implant and any loose silicone to avoid any problems that the rupture may cause.

Several studies have been conducted on the milk from women with breast enhancements and without. To date there has been shown no significant increase in the amount of silicone trace in the milk. Doctors have found nothing to link birth defects in children born to mothers with the implants to the implants themselves. One study did report low birth weight but could not be certain that this did not pertain to the mother’s low pre-pregnancy weight. So for now we will consider it an old wives tale that women who have implants can’t breastfeed.

Can You Breastfeed with Breast Implants?

Many women in Australia who undergo breast augmentation wonder if they will be able to breastfeed in the future. In most cases, breastfeeding after breast implants is possible, especially if the surgery does not involve incisions around the nipple area. However, outcomes can vary depending on the surgical technique, implant placement, and individual anatomy. Patients who could breastfeed before surgery are generally more likely to be able to do so after augmentation.

How Incision Type and Implant Placement Can Affect Breastfeeding

The location of the surgical incision plays an important role in future breastfeeding potential. The inframammary incision (under the breast fold) is commonly preferred when preserving breastfeeding function, as it reduces the chance of affecting milk ducts and nerves. The periareolar incision (around the nipple) may carry a higher risk of interfering with milk production if key ducts or nerves are damaged during surgery.

Implants placed under the chest muscle (submuscular placement) are also less likely to compress the milk ducts compared to implants placed directly under breast tissue.

Breastfeeding Outcomes in Women with Implants

Medical research has shown that many women with breast implants are able to successfully breastfeed. A 2020 review published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (PRS) found no significant difference in breastfeeding rates between women with implants and those without, provided that glandular tissue and nerves remain intact. However, some women may experience reduced milk supply or discomfort, depending on individual factors.

Note: Always discuss your personal goals with your surgeon before undergoing augmentation surgery. Each woman’s outcome will differ, and breastfeeding ability can’t be guaranteed.

Is Silicone in Breast Milk a Risk?

Concerns have been raised about silicone leaking into breast milk. However, clinical studies to date have found no evidence of harm to infants breastfed by mothers with silicone implants. According to published findings, the levels of silicone in human breast milk are lower than those found in many baby formulas or in contact with everyday items like pacifiers or bottle teats.

Still, it is essential to monitor the integrity of implants over time. Routine check-ups and MRI scans are sometimes recommended after 10 years to assess for silent rupture.

Best Questions to Ask During Your Surgeon Consultation for Implants

If you are planning to start a family after breast surgery, it’s important to let your plastic surgeon know during your consultation. Key questions to ask include:

Which incision type will reduce risks to breastfeeding?
Will my milk ducts and nipple sensation be preserved?
What is the risk of reduced milk production in my case?
What post-surgery monitoring is recommended if I plan to breastfeed?

An experienced, FRACS-qualified specialist plastic surgeon will guide you through your options and help you make a safe, informed decision.

Dr Rohit Kumar on Breastfeeding and Breast Augmentation

One of the more common questions women ask when considering breast augmentation surgery, we spoke with Plastic Surgeon Dr Rohit Kumar to find out more about breastfeeding after breast surgery,

PSH: Can you talk us through why there is a small chance a woman may not be able to breastfeed again after having breast surgeries? Does the skill of the surgeon have any effect on this outcome?

Dr Rohit Kumar: When most people have breast surgery, whether that’s breast augmentation or breast reduction, or any form of breast surgery, I guess there’s a small chance that you might actually damage the ducts. If you damage the ducts that supply the nipple areola complex, then there is a small chance that you might not be able to breastfeed.

What I normally tell my patients is that if you look into the potential breastfeeders, approximately a third of the patients will not be able to breastfeed. Approximately one-third of patients will be able to breastfeed with assistance, and a similar proportion can breastfeed without assistance. Realistically, if you look at that group of people, then two-thirds of patients can’t breastfeed or need assistance breastfeeding.

It’s actually quite a small population that can breastfeed just off the cuff. If you’re going to have breast augmentation, or breast surgery, you need to be with a plastic surgeon who’s actually aware of these facts, and is quite cautious and careful about their technique, and how they’re doing it, so that you don’t end up in the two thirds, you still stay in that one third if you’re destined to be there.

It’s an interesting topic to discuss with patients. We have multiple cohorts of patients. Some have already had children, and others, who are obviously going to be thinking about having children after their surgery. They need to be in good hands, who are aware of the anatomy and understand how these ducts actually extend through and then feed into the nipple.

You need a surgeon that’s aware of that anatomical variation that might be present as well. Hopefully, if they’re designing surgery, they can then design it to avoid that damage.

FAQs About Breastfeeding After Breast Implants

Can breast implants block milk flow?
Implants themselves don’t block milk ducts, but how and where the surgery is performed can make a difference. If nerves or ducts near the nipple are affected, it may impact your milk supply. This is why incision type and implant placement matter.

Will breastfeeding make my implants sag or move?
Breastfeeding can lead to natural changes in breast tissue over time, with or without implants. While implants generally remain in place, the surrounding breast tissue may stretch or sag after pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Can I feel the implant when my breasts are full of milk?
Some women notice a firmer or fuller feeling when their breasts fill with milk, but the implant typically remains in the same position. It shouldn’t interfere with feeding unless there are complications.

Is it possible for breast milk to leak around the implant?
No – breast milk stays in the milk ducts and doesn’t leak into the implant area. Likewise, silicone from the implant doesn’t enter the milk. Studies haven’t found harmful levels of silicone in the breast milk of mothers with implants.

I’ve lost nipple sensation after surgery – will that affect breastfeeding?
Nipple sensation plays a role in triggering milk let-down. If sensitivity is reduced due to the incision (especially around the nipple), some women may find it harder to establish breastfeeding. This varies from person to person.

Should I wait to get implants until after I’ve had children?
A: That’s a personal decision. If you know you want children, you can discuss this with your surgeon beforehand. Certain techniques are more suitable if breastfeeding is a future goal, and it’s worth planning ahead.

Do I need to remove my implants to breastfeed safely?
No. Most women with intact implants can breastfeed without needing to remove them. Removal is usually only considered if there’s a complication, such as rupture or capsular contracture.

How would I know if implants are affecting my milk supply?
Signs might include a low supply, difficulty expressing milk, or your baby not gaining weight as expected. These issues can happen with or without implants. If you’re concerned, speak with a lactation consultant or GP.

Can I breastfeed if I had a breast lift with my implants?
A breast lift may involve more surgical changes to the breast tissue and skin. This can increase the risk of affecting breastfeeding, but many women still manage to feed successfully. It depends on how the surgery was performed.

How long should I wait before breastfeeding if I get pregnant after surgery?
It’s best to wait until your breasts have fully healed – usually at least six months after surgery. This allows the tissue and incisions to settle before the changes of pregnancy and breastfeeding occur.

Further Reading about Breast Implants and Breastfeeding

Breast Implants Perth | Breast Augmentation by Dr Guy Watts Plastic Surgeon
Breast Implants in Sydney by Dr Mark Kohout Plastic Surgeon
What Are Puffy Nipples and How to Get Rid of Them by Dr Michael Kernohan Plastic Surgeon