Has anyone been sucessful in breast feeding with implants, 2 of my children were breast feed untill almost 2yrs I didn't have the implants, and then when I was in my 30's I decided to get my breasts put back where the were suppose to be I didn't think I'd have anymore children then 4yrs later I had a baby and I tried so hard to breast feed but the implants put pressure on the glands and I could not breast feed anymore and I had to switch to formula. Has anyone else had this problem? and did you find a way to breast feed? I really want to give it a go this time around again, cuz I was SOOO disappointed with not being able to breast feed with the last. THANKS.

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ME~Lori 39
DH~Chris 40
DS~Nathan 8-4-87
DD~Kyra 7-28-91
DS~Dean 7-23-05
M/C~12 wks 12-25-06

I found this on the LLL site....

I would think there would only be a problem if the ducts and/or nerves were damaged... So I guess that's why you have to think about where they inserted. Under your arm, under the fold of your breast? I would think it's more likely there is damage of they were inserted through the areola. I would think that if there is nerve damage to the areola it would cause some difficulty with milk release. I also had a friend who had implants say something about going under or over the muscle... Something like having it under the muscle your chances of nursing are the same as they are without implants at all because they don't disturb the mammary glands... Done above the muscle, your chances of being able to successfully nurse are about 50/50. (don't quote me on that LOL).

Anyway... I'd contact a LC before baby gets here and as much info and support as you can so you have every chance to make this work. Good Luck!

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The only info I've ever come across regarding bf after breast surgeries was that a woman who'd had an augmentation should still be able to breastfeed - it's the women who have reductions that usually run into the problems......I'm sorry to hear about your experience last time - did you ever talk to an LC at that point? When you say the implants put pressure on the glands - do you mean that you were suffering discomfort and had to quit or that you actually weren't making milk for some reason?

My thought, if it was extreme pressure you were experiencing, is that your breast should adjust with time.......if you've successfully bf before then you'd already know that the engorgement is largely a feature of the first weeks. I just don't get it though, the skin should stretch to accomodate the swelling glands - implants or not.

If you weren't making milk though, that's entirely another issue and you'd have to deal with a bf friendly physician and lactation consultant to figure out why......hopefully it's not any nerve damage like Terry suggested.

Good Luck & KUP

(btw Terry - I love Reece's hat in your siggy pic)

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Thanks for the info I did produce milk but the problem was that my implants somehow put pressure on my ducts(most likely due to scar tissue and the implant itself), the flow was not completely cut off but it just slowed it down to just drops, it was not painful, my implants are under the muscle and were inserted under the breasts (in the fold). I tried to pump cuz I figured that was more suction but that didn't work either. I've been catching a few threads about a drink or supplement that helps milk production, do you think if I did that it could increase my milk flow so that more could squeeze through? I have a Dr. appt today I'll ask her for info

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ME~Lori 39
DH~Chris 40
DS~Nathan 8-4-87
DD~Kyra 7-28-91
DS~Dean 7-23-05
M/C~12 wks 12-25-06

The drink you already heard about was probably the mothers milk tea......I've never tried it myself but have heard good things from some other moms (about how it works, not how it tastes - apparently that's bad )

I just posted about several things you can take to increase supply in the "someone please help us" thread here......go ahead and check it out - you can ask you doctor when you go in. I would discuss your particular situation with your doctor (but preferable a lactation consultant) though......you have successfully bf 2 babies before so perhaps the actual ability to produce milk isn't the issue?

From the sounds of it, your type of surgury was the one women have the most success bf after though so hopefully it will work for you this time! Good Luck!

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That is odd I was looking at this post and my reply went some where else?!?! ANyways yeah I had implants doen in Dec 1998 and breastfed my son just fine. he was born in 2006, I never had a problem! the only thing is they obviously stay perkier than reg boobs so when I would bf I would squeeze my nipple and like kind of make it flat and hold it like that while he bf bc it made it easier for him. And when I pumped I would push down on my boobs or squeeze them to make the milk come faster. You might be having a problem if you have a lrge implanttaht is making it hard for your milk ducts to make room for the milk. I had a 550 cc implant which is considered large, I am a 36 D but I dont feel liek I look at all like a D, more like a C, maybe they are leaking lol. I still produced lots of milk. you just need to keep nursing and pumping to keep it coming! I was thining about getting mine re done this summer but I decided I am going to wait until after I am done having babies bc I dont want to have to get them re done twice in a short span. It has been 8 years and mine actually got smaller once I weaned So wehn I get them re done I think I will go for a 650-750 implant. My best friend just had hers re done last year and originally had a 600 cc implant and got an 800 which is the largest you can get from a normal good plastic surgeon and she got pregnant 6 momths later so now it slike she only got to enjoy the new ones for 6 months! You can do many things to help your milk supply a lactation consultant can help you, contact the hospital wher eyou had your baby my hospital had them available at all times

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Danielle (27) Loving mom to Austin born January 7th 2006