Hi, Dr Murray from Absolute Cosmetic. It’s World Breastfeeding Week, so I thought I’d tackle one of the most common questions I get about breast implants and breastfeeding, because there’s a lot of confusion out there.
First up, breastfeeding week itself. It’s a great thing to do if you can and if you want to. But I also see a lot of pressure put on women to breastfeed when they simply can’t or don’t choose to, and I think that needs to be said too. If it’s something you want to do and you are able to, wonderful. If you don’t want to or you can’t, then you shouldn’t feel pressure to.
Now, onto the cosmetic side of things. Breast implants and breastfeeding is one of the questions I get asked more than almost anything else in consultations, usually along the lines of “my friend told me implants will stop me breastfeeding.” I want to set the record straight on that.
Do Breast Implants Affect Breastfeeding?
No, in most cases breast implants don’t affect breastfeeding. That’s what the health authorities say in their written guidance, and it’s largely true. Implants sit under the breast tissue, so unless the surgery went through the areola, the breast tissue itself hasn’t really been cut into. Because the implant isn’t interfering directly with the milk-producing tissue or the ducts, milk production and breastfeeding or expressing generally can go ahead as normal.
I’ll be honest with you though, I don’t think it’s quite that black and white, which is why I want to go a bit further than the standard line.
Can Large Breast Implants Make Breastfeeding Harder?
Yes, if you’ve got very large implants, you may have less room in the breast for milk, which can make things a bit trickier. It’s not that the implant stops milk being made, it’s more a space issue. A bigger implant takes up more room inside the breast, leaving less capacity for milk to build up before a feed. That’s a practical thing to be aware of if you’ve gone for a larger implant size and you’re planning to breastfeed down the track.
Where Are Breast Implants Placed, and Does That Matter?
Yes, placement matters, and many implants these days are placed dual-plane, meaning part of the implant sits above the muscle and part sits below it. Implants placed below the muscle, or below the breast tissue itself, tend to have even less effect on breastfeeding, because there’s more separation between the implant and the gland doing the actual work. So the deeper the implant sits, generally the less it could interfere.
How Do You Manage Breastfeeding With Large Implants?
You can manage it by feeding more often rather than less, or expressing regularly and opting for a mix of breast and bottle feeding of your breast milk. Because there’s less room for milk to build up, it’s a good idea to breastfeed more frequently so you don’t get engorged. Engorgement isn’t just uncomfortable, it also puts extra pressure on the implants themselves, so keeping on top of regular feeding or expressing can help avoid that altogether.
Is It True That Implants Cause Breastfeeding Problems?
It’s one of the most common “myths” I hear in consults, usually secondhand from a friend or a forum somewhere. In reality, for the vast majority of women with breast implants, breastfeeding can work exactly as it would without them. Implant size and where the implant sits are the two things that can make a genuine difference, not the mere fact of having implants or not. Just because you don’t choose to have implants, doesn’t mean you will have a smooth breastfeeding journey either – many women struggle with this regardless. At the end of the day, choosing to get breast implants or not is your choice, and choosing to try breastfeeding or not is also your choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do breast implants stop you from producing breast milk?
No, breast implants sit under or within the breast tissue rather than replacing it, so milk production isn’t directly affected in the majority of cases.
Does implant size affect breastfeeding?
Very large implants can leave less room in the breast for milk, which may mean you need to feed or express more frequently to avoid engorgement.
Does dual plane placement affect breastfeeding differently to other techniques?
Generally, implants placed lower, below the muscle or below the breast tissue, tend to have less effect on breastfeeding than more superficial placements.
Will breastfeeding damage my breast implants?
No, but engorgement can put extra pressure on the breast tissue and implants, so keeping up with regular feeds is the best way to manage this.
Is it true implants cause milk to be unsafe for the baby?
There’s no evidence that having breast implants makes breast milk unsafe. The concern with implants and breastfeeding relates to physical space and comfort, not milk safety.
Should I tell my surgeon I want to breastfeed in the future?
Yes, it’s worth mentioning at your consultation. It can help guide decisions around implant size and placement if breastfeeding down the track is important to you.
If you’ve got questions about breast implants, breastfeeding, or anything else cosmetic, don’t hesitate to reach out through absolutecosmetic.com.au. We’re always happy to talk you through it.
This information is general in nature and does not constitute medical advice. Every patient’s circumstances are different, and outcomes vary from person to person. Please consult a qualified medical practitioner to discuss your individual situation, including any risks and suitability for treatment, before making a decision.
