Did you know that over 307,000 Australian women gave birth to a whopping 312,000 babies during 2012?
Figures from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare show that the Aussie birthrate has risen 3.4 per cent from 2011, and an enormous 21.5 percent since 2003. That’s a lot of hungry mouths to feed, and with more Australian babies being born than ever, expectant mothers may have quite a few queries on their mind.
Perhaps one of the most common questions of all women that have even fleetingly thought about undergoing breast augmentation is whether or not it will remain safe to breastfeed their child after the operation is complete. It’s a fair enquiry, and one worth answering in fine detail. Let’s take a look at how having a boob job will affect your ability to safely lactate.
How will breast enlargement affect my ability to breastfeed?
In the vast majority of cases, women who have breast implants will be able to fully breast-feed without any difficulties or hindrances whatsoever. However, there are two other outcomes that may apply to you once the procedure has been performed, depending precisely on the amount of work that has been done.
Some women may require the use of galactagogues, which are a distinct collection of foods and other substances that can aid the production of breast milk. According to the Australian Breastfeeding Association (ABA), at least 95 per cent of new mums are able to produce ample milk for their young, so galactagogues may not be needed. Bear in mind that it’s still an option should you feel that not enough milk is forthcoming. It’s best to consult with a professional lactation consultant if you think that galactagogues could help.
In the vast majority of cases, women who have breast implants will be able to fully breast-feed without any difficulties or hindrances whatsoever.
In some cases, though, you may only be able to partially breast-feed, which means that you’ll need to use additional supplements and employ a bottle to ensure that your little one enjoys all the goodness that he or she requires.
How can I tell if my breast implants will impact my ability to feed?
To put it bluntly, there is no surefire way to tell before your bundle of joy emerges into the world how your enhanced breasts will react to the natural lactating process. The ABA mentions that having a breast reduction could more notably affect your breast-feeding capabilities than would breast augmentation, as the nipple is often relocated to a new position during the procedure. This can directly affect the nerve supply between the nipple and areola, but such nerves can, and often do, regrow with no ill affects.
As with all important medical matters, it’s best to seek out a professional breast-feeding counselor for the very best advice regarding your lactation queries.
They’ll be sure to ease any lingering worries that you may have – your surgeon will also be able to advise.
If you have more questions, book a consult with us today and have your concerns answered by our team of professionals.
