Breast milk is the best gift a mother can give to her newly born baby. Rich in various antibodies, breast milk fulfills all the nutritional requirements in babies up to 6 months. But due to various reasons, mothers are unable to give this gift to their babies. These reasons can be due to some disease or their own willingness. Breastfeeding after breast surgery is a concern for many mothers.
Other than that, many of the mothers who have undergone any surgery find it difficult to breastfeed their babies. There is a certain impact of the surgeries on the mother’s body and the production of milk in the milk ducts gets reduced. So, let’s answer some of the common questions in the minds of such mothers in detail below. Along with that, we have also provided relevant tips for such mothers. Read further to know more.
In This Article
- Can A Woman Breastfeed After Breast Surgery?
- Effects Of Different Breast Surgeries On Breastfeeding?
- How To Increase Breast Milk Supply After Breast Surgery?
- Tips For Breastfeeding Moms Who Had Breast Implants Or Breast Surgeries
- FAQ’s
Can A Woman Breastfeed After Breast Surgery?
Yes, a woman can definitely breastfeed her baby even after the surgery. Various body organs work together for the formation of breast milk. The proper functioning of these organs, including milk ducts, nipples, and areola is vital for the production of milk. If these organs are not harmed due to the surgery, the mother can surely breastfeed her baby.
Breast milk production will be significantly affected if the glandular tissues and nerves in the breast are damaged during the surgery. The location, the length, and the depth of the incision made during the surgery play a key role in determining the effect of surgery on breast milk production.
Effects Of Different Breast Surgeries On Breastfeeding?
It can be quite challenging for the mother to breastfeed her baby after the surgery. In several cases, breastfeeding is not affected due to the surgeries. If surgery does not affect the functioning of the areola, milk ducts, and nipples, the mother will not face any obstacle in breastfeeding the baby. Other than that, there are a few cases in which mothers have to take supplements to boost their milk production.
Here are different types of surgeries and their effect on breastfeeding after breast surgery:
1. Breast Augmentation Surgery
Breast augmentation is done to increase the size of the breast. It involves the procedure of breast implantation. However, the implants do not affect the production of milk, unless it harms any of the other breast tissue or areola. The site of the incision plays a vital role in breast milk production.
Likewise, the reason you underwent augmentation surgery is also a decisive factor. In case you have done it to enhance your very flat breasts, you may have been at risk for low milk supply. On the other hand, if all you need is a small enhancement for the normal-shaped and reasonably symmetrical breast, then, you may not encounter low breast milk production.
2. Breast Reduction Surgery
This surgery involves the reduction of breast tissues to decrease the size of the breast. Somehow, it affects the production of milk as it involves the removal of breast tissues and the shifting of the areola. Likewise, if the nipple and areola are removed and then positioned on a reconstructed breast, they will get detached from the breast tissue beneath them.
This will weaken the sensation in the nipple as the nerves are affected. This will limit breast milk flow and production. However, if the nipple is still attached to the underneath breast tissue, and much of the glandular tissue is retained during the surgery, breast reduction surgery will not significantly affect breast milk production.
3. Mastectomy
This surgery involves the removal of breasts. It is merely done to treat breast cancer in women. In dual mastectomy (removal of both the breasts) mothers have no other option than to bottle feed their babies. However, in single mastectomy (removal of one breast) mothers have an option to feed their baby with one breast.
4. Surgery To Correct Inverted Nipple
The inverted nipple itself can stand in the way of breastfeeding your baby. However, mild inverted nipples are harmless as they will pop out when stimulated. In severe cases, it necessitates surgical correction.
The surgical process demands cutting through the milk ducts so the nipple can be pulled out. This will severely affect breastfeeding. In less severe cases, the skin is stretched to pull the nipple out. This may keep your milk ducts unaffected.
5. Lumpectomy
Lumpectomy is a surgery that is used to treat lumps in the breast. These lumps may or may not be cancerous. If lumps are cancerous, they are treated through radiation therapy which affects the ability of the mother to breastfeed her baby.
6. Breast Biopsy
A biopsy is a surgery that is performed to extract any specific region of breast tissue harmed due to an infection or illness. In 99% of cases, it does not possess any bad effect on the mechanism of breastfeeding.
7. Nipple Piercing
Nipple piercing is the same piercing mechanism used in any other body part. Piercing is just done on the nipple and doesn’t involve any other breast tissue. It does not affect the ability of the mother to breastfeed her child. However, it is suggested to take away the piercing once you are pregnant, preferably by the second trimester of pregnancy. This will give ample time to make sure it is well healed and devoid of any infection.
How To Increase Breast Milk Supply After Breast Surgery?
In the cases of mastectomy, it is not possible for the mother to breastfeed the baby. However, in other surgeries, milk production could be low. However, always remember to continue breastfeeding after breast surgery irrespective of the quantity of breast milk produced.
All the normal means you follow to increase breast milk production are applicable to increasing breast milk production after the breast surgery as well.
Mothers can try the undermentioned methods to increase breast milk supply.
- There are various herbal products that enhance the production of milk. But do not use them without consulting your doctor.
- Your gynecologist can prescribe medications and supplements specifically formulated for improving breast milk production in mothers.
- Milk production in the mother is carried out by the suckling process of a baby. So don’t stop your baby from breastfeeding.
- In some cases, the mother’s milk is not sufficient to fulfil the satiety of the baby. In such cases, you can go for supplementation with formula feeding. Nowadays, breast milk banks are also available from where you can get breast milk for your baby.
Tips For Breastfeeding Moms Who Had Breast Implants Or Breast Surgeries
Mothers undergoing surgeries face various problems in breastfeeding their babies. They need some extra care than other mothers. Here are some crucial tips that should be considered by those future moms:
- Make your doctors and nurses aware of your surgery from the start of your pregnancy. They might help you with upcoming complications.
- Mothers-to-be who have undergone piercing should remove the jewelry article during the first trimester of their pregnancy. It would be beneficial for her and her baby.
- Ask your surgeon. They can help you find better ways to enhance the production of breast milk after the surgery.
- Follow the doctor’s advice. Doctors advise breastfeeding the baby right after birth. Suckling by the baby carries out stimulation that gives a kick start to the production of milk.
- Check out the bowel moment and urine output of the baby. If it’s normal, you don’t have to worry. In case it is insufficient then, ask the pediatrician and go for other feeding methods.
So, my dear mothers, breastfeeding after breast surgery would be challenging, and in some cases, it could be painful too. But don’t let your child thrive for her mother’s milk. It has also antibodies that will protect him from various infections and diseases.
Colostrum- the first milk of the mother is highly rich in antibodies and vitamin A which is very beneficial for the baby. So, go with the mother’s milk for all the vital nutrients to enter the baby’s body.
FAQ’s
1. Does Breast Augmentation Surgery Help To Increase Breast Milk Production?
You cannot increase your breast milk production simply by increasing the breast size. Actually, it is not your breast size, but your breast state that determines breast milk production. Therefore, the condition of your breasts prior to augmentation (like the extent of functional breast tissue) is very important in predicting breast milk production after breast augmentation surgery.
2. How Long After Surgery Can You Breastfeed?
In most cases, it is safe for mothers to breastfeed after the effects of anesthesia from the surgery have worn off and the mother is comfortable enough to feed her baby. As long as the mother is not under any medications that can be harmful for the baby, the mother can start breastfeeding under the supervision of the consulting doctor or a gynecologist.
3. Does Breast Surgery Affect Milk Supply?
Not all surgeries affect the milk supply. If you are getting a breast reduction surgery, you may have to prepare yourself to face the situation of not being able to feed your baby. Apart from this, cosmetic surgeries such as breast augmentation surgeries, and lift and nipple surgeries can affect milk supply. Before undergoing surgery, it is vital to understand whether that surgery can affect the milk supply in the future.
