Breast feeding and Nursing with Breast Implants

The world’s most recognized authority on breast feeding, La Leche League International, advocates breast-feeding — even by women with implants. Many women have been concerned about a study conducted with regard to the effect of silicone on children who were breast fed by mothers with silicone implants. Only 11 children were studied, born to women with breast implants. 8 had been breast-fed. Six of the 8 had esophageal problems (swallowing, vomiting problems).

The authors of the study concluded there might be a relationship between the conditions and the implants. However, an editorial in the same AMA Journal said the results were not confirmed. The FDA expressed interest in the issue but stated that more study was necessary. The FDA also stated that the small size of the study and its “selection bias” limit the conclusions that can be drawn.

La Leche League states that it is possible to nurse with breast implants as long as the milk ducts haven’t been severed or blocked. There may also be some loss of sensation or altered nipple sensation if the nerves to the nipple and aureole have been severed.

You should discuss future breast-feeding with the surgeon doing the implants so that he/she is aware of your breast feeding interests. The recent report of the Institute of Medicine concluded that breast feeding with implants is safe.

According to La Leche League, many women with silicone breast implants have successfully nursed with no apparent harmful effect to themselves or their children. A booklet available from La Leche League states: “Health concerns related to breast feeding can easily shake the confidence of any woman. All new mothers have a fierce and natural desire to protect their babies … further research is needed. But what should mothers do in the meantime?” First, it is important to keep in mind that as yet there have been no recorded cases of a baby being harmed in any way by breast-feeding with silicone implants.

LLLI has received no reports from its members of any health problems in either mother or baby. When considering the risks and benefits of breast-feeding with silicone implants, be aware that artificial feeding is not free from health risks.

Studies have confirmed that babies who are fed artificially are at higher risk for illness, hospitalization, and death during infancy. This is true in developed nations as well as in the developing world. Respiratory and gastrointestinal illnesses, pneumonia, meningitis, and ear infections are much more common among artificially fed babies. Also later in life, artificially fed infants have an increased incidence of allergies and other, more serious health problems, such as diabetes, certain types of childhood cancer, chronic liver disease, Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis.

Artificial feeding carries its own set of risks, which — unlike the unproved theoretical risks of breast feeding with silicone implants — have been scientifically documented.” For more information on this issue, order “Nursing With Breast Implants” from La Leche League International. You can find a catalogue on the LLLI web site (www.lalecheleague.org). The site also contains stories from women who successfully breast fed with implants.

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