I have breastimplants and im breastfeeding..anyone done this? how was your milk production?

Question

Hi i had breast augmentation done four years ago. At the time, i thought i was one having children. Im very very happy with my surgery and would do it all over again! However, i got pregnant unexpectedly and now i have a beautiful baby girl and she is two weeks old. Ive been breastfeeeding her from day one and im lucky that i have milk production. My boyfriend also gives her fomula once or twice daily (depending). She has gained a pound in 1.5 weeks. My concern is that perhaps im not making enough milk like i did with my first child. I felt the "letdown" very strongly back then but now i dont feel it I just feel tingling or the "let down" in my nipples. I had my surgery under the breast (luckily) so none of my nipples were damaged. However, im just concerened that maybe my milk may not be enough b/c her stools are now green and i read something about foremilk/hindmilk imbalances. I would really love to hear from women like me who chose to breastfeed after thier implants and what were your o utcomes? thanks

Answer 1

There is no reason why you shouldn't be able to nurse with implants. Yes, green frothy p**p is associated with a foremilk/hindmilk imbalance. Baby's nursing sessions are probably too short. Always make sure baby finishes the first breast before offering the second breast.

As far as the advice to pump to see what you're getting...pumping will never be an accurate reflection of how much milk you are making because a pump will never empty the breast as effectively as your baby. So let's say you pump and get 1/2 an ounce (which is normal for a mom who is nursing full-time) you may (wrongly) believe you are not making much milk. Don't pump for this reason, it's not necessary. You know baby is getting enough by her wet and poopy diapers.

Answer 2

I don't have implants, but as the mother of two children, I'll tell you that letdown and nursing in general feels differently this time around. I think your body is more efficient at nursing and it doesn't feel so extreme.

Put your mind at ease - pump and measure it!

Answer 3

I had implants after my 1st child.  I had breast fed her successfully for a full year.

#2 and #3 seemed to struggle.  It wasn't that the milk wasn't there, it was like it was harder for them to extract it.  They both had me so sore and bleeding which is weird because I knew how to latch them and work with it.  the lactation consultant even said they looked fine and also was worried about how much milk I seemed to have and how hard they nursed.  

I don't know if the implants interferred with the ducts or what - or if I was just over sensitive.  But I did supplement with formula for both of them and it worked out ok.  Not the same experience but what I learned was that they were just fine doing both.  

Answer 4

I do not have implants, But I spoke with a lactation consultant, and they say that there is little concern with breast Implants, as opposed to a reduction. Your body will make the amount of milk depending on how often you feed. the vitamins help but I am not using them, and my daughter is 15 months. breastfed since day one and still will not take regular milk. The doctor s will say that if your baby is not getting enough milk, she will let you know. at least you are doing the best thing for her by breastfeeding. Oh, and 1 pound in 1.5 weeks is GREAT> it is supposed to be at least and ounce a day for the first 6 months. and then they slow down depending on how active they are.

Answer 5

Congratulations!  It's so great that you are breastfeeding.  Many women don't even try after they have a breast augmentation.

I have read that the extra iron in formula can cause baby's stools to turn green.

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