Impact Of Breast Implantation On Breast Feeding And Lactation

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Written By Berry Mathew

Breast implantation is the increase in the size of the breast through surgery. It can also be removed through a surgical process called mastectomy as a preventive measure to stop cancer from spreading to other parts of the body. 

(For more on breast implant and augmentation see more here)

There is also the removal of some breast tissue tumour which gives the breast that lumpy feeling when touched. This surgical removal is called lumpectomy.

Breastfeeding is the process by which natural breast milk is fed from a mother to her infant child using the breast. 

Breastfeeding is healthy to a child’s development stage and is expected to take place for six months or one year which is a period known as baby friendly. This has its health benefits on the child which includes; prevention of infant respiratory diseases, diarrhea etc. 

The breastfeeding mother is also not left out from the benefits as she has less risk of contracting asthma, being allergic to food as well as having diabetes.

Delayed menstruation could also occur to a breastfeeding mother as well as reduce the chances of breast cancer and other cardiovascular diseases.

LACTATION is the milk secretion process from the breast of a woman which usually starts from  latter months of her pregnancy. The secretion process makes it easy to breastfeed an infant and the milk it produces is highly nutritious to an infant child and makes them immune to other infant diseases and sicknesses.

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The impact breast implant and augmentation could have on breastfeeding is that:

(I) It will reduce the milk production for the child, making it so as not to have the required quantity of natural milk needed for exclusive breastfeeding. Such babies make use of baby formula.

(ii) The tissues of the breast could have been affected leading to insufficient glandular tissue.

(iii) There is a need for physiological evaluation of mother’s with breast implants to provide emotional support as it could be mentally disturbing not being able to feed your child naturally.

(iv) Babies of mothers with breast implants need close monitoring to watch the child to ensure the weight of the child is not adversely affected.

(v) There is an unproven little evidence of silicon used during breast implant causing placental barrier during pregnancy.

(vi) Drugs and chemicals used during breast implant could be detected and find its way into the system of the woman thereby being present in the human breast milk during lactation.

(vii) Breasts naturally increase in water, fat and electrolyte content during pregnancy, adding this to an implanted breast could cause discomfort.

(viii) Milk supply is limited depending on the type of incision done during the breast surgery.

(ix) Nerves around the nipples could be damaged thereby reducing the sensation a mother feels when the baby sucks her nipples.

(x) Formation of scar tissues around the implant causing squeezing.

(xi) Changes in breast size and nippple sensation as well as a possible risk of rupture implant.

(xii) Breast and a rescheduled additional surgery for necessary corrections and removals.

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