For those of you who want the headline first, here it is: “Breast Implant Surgery Makes It At Least Three Times More Likely That a Woman Trying to Breastfeed Will Have An Inadequate Milk Supply.”

That bulletin comes to you from the Institute of Medicine in Washington, D.C., and it’s based on a number of studies of women with breast implants or other breast surgery. Not surprisingly, the research also found that having breast implants is a deterrent to breastfeeding, because women with implants are afraid of insufficient lactation and other complications.

If you have breast implants or are contemplating implants, and you’re determined to breastfeed, here are five facts to keep in mind:

* Women whose breasts have been enlarged with silicone or saline implants may have more-sensitive or less-sensitive nipples.

* After you’ve delivered and your milk has come in, you may experience increased breast engorgement with more intense pain, fever and chills.

* Incisions made under the fold of the breast are less likely to cause problems. The more popular “smile” incision around the areola heightens the risk for problems.

* Nerve damage around the areola creates a make-or-break situation. Nerves are essential to breastfeeding because “they trigger the brain to release prolactin and oxytocin, two hormones that affect milk production. An intact milk duct system also improves your chances of breastfeeding.

The medical and public health communities have known for a long time that breast milk is, in most cases, preferable to formula, because it provides babies with essential nutrition and improves their immune systems. Your baby is less prone to gastrointestinal disease, respiratory ailments, asthma, ear infections and allergies. Moms benefit from breastfeeding, too. It helps create a psychological bond between you and your baby, which helps post-partum recovery and (this is a biggie!) helps you return to your pre-pregnancy weight more quickly.

Breast implantation is becoming more and more common. As a woman planning to have a family at some point in your life, you simply have to decide what’s more important to your ultimate happiness.

* Depending on how much breast milk you’re able to produce, you may need to supplement with formula.

By: Susan Hawkins

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