How Do Breast Implants Affect Breastfeeding?

Breast augmentation surgery is one of the top five most common cosmetic surgeries, with hundreds of thousands U.S. people undergoing the procedure each year. If you are one of the many new parents who has breast implants and are considering breast or chestfeeding, you may have some questions or concerns. Perhaps you want to know whether breastfeeding is safe with implants, or whether your implants may affect your milk supply. You may also want to know what you can do to maximize your chances of success.

These concerns are totally understandable. We reached out to two lactation consultants and a breastfeeding medicine physician to answer some common questions about breastfeeding with implants.

Success Rate of Breastfeeding With Implants

Let's start with the good news. Yes, you can breastfeed if you have implants, and the vast majority of parents who do so are successful. Several studies have found that people with breast implants can have positive experiences.

For example, a 2016 study compared breastfeeding parents who had implants with breastfeeding parents who did not have implants. The study found that the parents with implants were able to establish breastfeeding 93% of the time. This was slightly lower than parents without implants, who successfully established breastfeeding 99% of the time. Still, the study showed that the vast majority of parents with implants had success.

Another study, from 2019, only looked at breastfeeding parents with implants. The researchers found that overall, parents with implants were able to breastfeed successfully 75% of the time. The bottom line is that, for parents with breast implants, it is entirely possible and probable to have a successful and fulfilling breastfeeding journey.

Do Breast Implants Impact Milk Supply?

While many parents with implants are able to breastfeed successfully, there are some considerations to keep in mind with regard to breast milk supply.

"The main risk associated with implants is experiencing a low breast milk supply," says Jessica Madden, M.D., I.B.C.L.C., pediatrician, neonatologist, lactation consultant, and the medical director of Aeroflow Breastpumps. "This is because the surgical procedures for implants can cause breast tissue scarring, disruption of the milk ducts, and/or can damage nerves that are involved in milk let-down."

Remember that most parents with breast implants do not have problems breast or chestfeeding, but milk supply issues are something to consider as you move through your journey. That said, remember that you can still have an empowering nursing experience even if you don't have a full supply.

Are There Risks of Breastfeeding With Implants?

One of the first questions that parents have about implants is whether they are safe for babies. The answer is that implants are very likely safe. "I am not aware of any safety issues related to breastfeeding with implants," says Dr. Madden. "The type of implant (saline versus silicone) should not impact breastfeeding, and if an implant was to leak, there's a very low likelihood that it would get into breast milk."

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Academy of American Pediatrics (AAP), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are all on a similar page about this as well. As the CDC notes, although there is limited research right now, there have been no reports of parents with silicone implants having any safety issues. Additionally, the AAP has not found sufficient evidence that silicone implants should be a contradiction for breastfeeding.

According to the FDA, it's not currently known whether or not a small amount of silicone could potentially pass into breast milk if a parent has implants. However, their website adds this important caveat: "Although there are currently no established methods for accurately detecting silicone levels in breast milk, a study measuring silicon (one component in silicone) levels did not indicate higher levels in breast milk from women with silicone gel-filled implants when compared to women without implants."

Of course, all parents are different, and you should contact a health care provider about your implants and whether there are any safety risks to be concerned about for your baby.

Things to Consider Before Breastfeeding With Implants

Breastfeeding is usually not an issue for people with implants, but when problems arise, they are likely caused by a few main issues. Here's what to know about these potential concerns.

Breast Augmentation Surgery Type

There are various kinds of breast augmentation surgeries, and the type of procedure you had may impact your ability to breastfeed and your milk supply. The biggest factor is how close the surgical incision was to your nipple, explains Dr. Madden. "Incisions that are around the areola are more likely to affect milk supply than those in different locations, as periareolar incisions can sometimes damage nerves that are involved in breastfeeding," she says.

Another aspect to keep in mind is if you've also had a breast "lift" along with implant surgery. "Implants that are done along with breast 'lifts' may involve the removal of portions of breast tissue, which may impact milk supply," Dr. Madden notes.

If you are unsure about which type of surgery you had and whether it may impact your milk supply, be sure to contact a health care provider who specializes in breast surgeries.

Breast Hypoplasia

It may not just be surgery that can impact your mik supply, says Kelly Kendall, R.N., I.B.C.L.C., nurse and lactation consultant at The Balanced Boob. Many people decide to get breast augmentation surgery because of anatomical issues with their breasts, such as breast hypoplasia, Kendall says.

"Breasts that are widely shaped, tubular, or have a large difference in size between breasts are signs of possible mammary hypoplasia or insufficient glandular tissue," she explains. "These conditions mean that when the breasts were developing during puberty, there was less glandular, or milk-making tissue, that developed." Hypoplasia or insufficient glandular tissue can put parents at higher risk of a low milk supply, and these issues can endure after breast implant surgery.

Tips For Breastfeeding With Implants

Again, most parents with implants can go on to have satisfying nursing experiences. But because there is a somewhat higher risk of challenges, it can be helpful to have a few tips to get you through any issues that may arise and to set you up for optimal success.

Have a Prenatal Assessment

Kendall highly recommends that if you have implants, you take a proactive approach and reach out to a breastfeeding professional prior to giving birth. "My number one tip would be to meet with a lactation consultant before birth for a prenatal appointment," she says. "Gathering education will help you feel prepared to navigate potential challenges."

Generally, a lactation consultant will discuss your medical history, risk factors, and will examine your breasts and nipples. Besides potential milk supply issues, sometimes breastfeeding parents with implants will have a tougher time with engorgement, Kendall says, and a lactation consultant can offer techniques for dealing with that, as engorgement is an issue that often occurs in the first few days of breastfeeding.

Reach Out for Help as Soon as Any Issues Arise

Of course, issues may come up after your baby is born. If this happens, don't hesitate to reach out to a lactation consultant or health care professional, advises Sheila Dukas-Janakos, M.P.H., I.B.C.L.C., lactation consultant and CEO/co-founder of Healthy Horizons Corporate Lactation Programs and Breastfeeding Centers. When possible, try to find out who is experienced in breastfeeding with implants, she recommends.

"An IBCLC should be well-versed in the various aspects of supporting a person who has undergone these surgeries and can help create a plan where your milk supply can be established early and carefully monitored," adds Dukas-Janakos.

Have Realistic Goals

Besides meeting with a lactation professional if the need arises, Dr. Madden recommends trying to go into breastfeeding with a healthy dose of realism—and a whole lot of self-love and compassion. "Having realistic goals is important," she says. "Even if you might not be able to fully breastfeed due to your implants, making a goal to partially breastfeed may be achievable."

This can be hard to remember, because there can be so much pressure for breastfeeding to be perfect, but remember that it isn't "all or nothing." You can be a successful parent whether you breastfeed exclusively or not.