Breast Augmentation And Breastfeeding - Things To Consider Before Your Surgery

The first thing that women ask when they have a baby after getting breast augmentation is whether they can breast feed or not. The answer to this might be tricky because you will not know for sure until you try breastfeeding, but it's always a good idea to understand how this surgery could affect your chances of breastfeeding and whether or not it is safe for you and the baby.

How This Surgery Affects Your Body

The type of surgery you get is likely to have a major impact on your chances of being able to breastfeed once you have a baby. The milk ducts within your breasts can be damaged by surgery and these need to be intact in order for you to produce milk. The nerves within your breasts that produce the hormones oxytocin and prolactin will also need to remain undamaged. Unfortunately, you may only be aware of this damage long after your surgery. Women often don't find out until they begin breastfeeding.

The reason for your surgery will also affect whether you are able to produce milk and breastfeed. If you suffered from underdeveloped breasts and you had the surgery to correct this, you might find it very difficult to produce a sufficient amount of milk to nourish your baby.

Breastfeeding And Breast Augmentation

If you're trying to breastfeed after this surgery, you will quickly find that your nipples are much more sensitive, and this could be coupled with more severe chills, fevers and pain. You'll also notice that your breasts become over-engorged and this could be very uncomfortable.

Many mothers are wary of breastfeeding after getting their breasts enlarged because they fear that the silicone might leak into their breast milk. The good news is that experts are of the opinion that this will not harm the baby.

Stimulating Your Milk Production

If you're having trouble with milk production, there are some things that you can do. One option is to use a pump after each feeding session. You will also need to ensure that your baby is receiving enough nourishment by taking him or her to the pediatrician in order to get weighed on a regular basis. If you are not producing enough milk you can always supplement your breast milk with formula.

Breastfeeding After Breast Augmentation

You'll only know whether or not you can breastfeed after you begin trying, and this can be a very frustrating decision to make if you are planning to have a child. Most experts will recommend that you wait until after you have had all the children you plan on having so that the surgery does not affect your ability to breastfeed. Then again, many women have no trouble at all. If you're concerned about this, talk to your doctor before you choose to have surgery and get their expert opinion.