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BREASTFEEDING AND BREAST IMPLANTS
GENERAL
INFORMATION:
What
do I need to know about breast implants if I breastfeed?
Breast
augmentation is surgery to make your breasts larger with implants.
Silicone (sill-uh-kone) gel-filled or saline-filled implants
are the most common kind of breast implants used. Four different
methods are used.
Two of the methods make an incision (cut) on or around the
areola (air-e-o-luh). The areola is the dark part of your
breast around your nipple. Some of the milk ducts and the
major nerves may have been cut with this type of incision.
The other two methods make incisions under the breast or in
the armpit. The implants were probably put behind the milk
ducts without damaging milk ducts and nerves with this type
of incision.
Ask your surgeon what type of implant and method was used
in your surgery. Also, write or call the company that made
your implant to find out what month and year your implant
was made.
Can I breastfeed my baby if I have breast implants? Many women
who have had breast implant surgery are successful at breastfeeding.
But, you and your caregiver should closely watch your milk
supply and your baby's ability to get enough milk for at least
4 to 6 weeks. The method used to put in the breast implants
might effect your breastfeeding success.
Your
breasts may make a full milk supply but it might not be able
to pass through the damaged ducts to reach your nipple.
Your milk production may also be effected if the nerves on
the nipple and areola have been damaged. A signal is sent
to your brain to release 2 important hormones as your baby
suckles at the breast. These two hormones (prolactin and oxytocin)
cause your body to make and release breastmilk. This signal
may be decreased or absent if you have damaged nerves.
How do I know if my silicone breast implants will leak into
my breastmilk? Most breast implants are now filled with saline
(salt) water. Silicone implants are only available through
controlled clinical studies and are rarely used any more.
It is possible (but difficult) to measure the amount of silicone
in your breastmilk. Even if the silicone level is measured,
doctors are not sure how this affects your baby.
Is
there anything different about breastfeeding that I need to
be aware of because I have breast implants?
You
may have breast fullness or engorgement caused by possible
milk duct or nerve damage. Ask your caregiver for the CareNote
about breast engorgement.
Have your baby's weight checked often, probably every week
for the first 4 to 6 weeks. This may be done as a brief visit
at the office of your baby's caregiver. Or, at a breastfeeding
clinic by a Lactation Consultant.
Sometimes your milk supply may not be great enough. You may
continue to breastfeed but your baby might need a supplement.
There are several ways to give your baby this formula or supplement.
Talk to your caregiver, Lactation Consultant, or an LLL (La
Leche League) Leader about your options.
You may have a family member or friend feed your baby a bottle
of formula one or more times a day.
Or, you may choose to use a supplemental nursing system. With
this method, a tube is hooked to a container of formula. The
tube is taped to your nipple after your baby has emptied your
breasts. Your baby continues to suckle on your breast to get
his supplement formula at the same time.
Can my baby's caregiver help me if I have breastfeeding questions
or problems? Ask for information about breastfeeding and make
sure caregivers know that breastfeeding is important to you.
Ask your caregiver for the name of a Lactation Consultant.
This person is specially trained to help women breastfeed
their babies. Also, ask caregivers about a breastfeeding class
before your baby is born. Or, call your hospital for more
information. Breastfeeding support groups can also help you
learn about breastfeeding your baby. Call or write one of
the following organizations for more information.
La
Leche League
PO Box 1209
Franklin Park, IL 60131-8209
Phone: 1 (800) LA-LECHE or 1 (800) 525-3243
Human Milk Banking Association of North America
Web Address: http://www.hmbana.org (To get the phone number
for your state's Human Milk Banking Association).
WIC Program (Women, Infants and Children)
Web Address: http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/MENU/CONTACTS/tollfreenumbers.htm
(To get the toll free number for the WIC program in your state).
CARE AGREEMENT:
You
have the right to help plan how you are going to feed your
baby. To help with this plan, you must learn as much as you
can about breastfeeding. Ask your caregiver questions about
breastfeeding. You can talk with your caregiver about the
best way for you to feed your baby.
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