The majority of breast tissue is not related to the breast's function of breastfeeding, meaning that it is possible (although not necessarily recommended) for women to have breast augmentation surgery before having children and still breastfeeding. When women think about having nipple surgery, on the other hand, they may have questions about how it will affect their ability to breastfeed.
My nipples are very large, should I have them reduced to make breastfeeding easier?
It is not necessary. In general, babies are able to latch onto and feed from nipples of nearly any size. More often, breastfeeding problems occur with either poor breastfeeding technique, which can be prevented if women receive help from friends, family, or a counselor experienced with breastfeeding, or with premature babies. Premature babies have difficulty latching on not because of the size of their mouths, but because they have not yet developed the suction and swallowing abilities necessary for breastfeeding. There are techniques and equipment that can help with this, including nipple stimulation and a nipple shield.
Do inverted or flat nipples interfere with breastfeeding?
Inverted nipples are largely a cosmetic condition, since babies latch onto the breast around the nipple, then use suction to draw milk up through the milk ducts. If you have inverted nipples, breastfeeding is still possible with proper technique and relatively simple fixes.
Will nipple reduction surgery interfere with breastfeeding?
Nipple reduction can consist either of reducing the nipple, or reducing the size of the areola around the nipple. In the case of areola reduction, there is no interference with the nipple proper, and unless you experience complications during the surgery, it is unlikely that your ability to breastfeed will be affected. Similarly, when your cosmetic surgeon reduces the actual nipple, all care is taken to preserve the milk ducts. Most women who have nipple reduction experience no difficulty breastfeeding afterwards.
With any breast surgery, however, there is a risk that you will experience some side effects related to breastfeeding. These include:
· Nipple sensitivity
· Loss of nipple sensation
· Tendency for infection
· Severed milk canals
· Diminished lactation
However, the majority of women who find themselves unable to breastfeed do so not as a result of inability to produce or release milk, but as a result of improper technique and support. Breastfeeding gets easier with time, as the very process of feeding stimulates the breast to make more milk and more milk canals. If you experience problems breastfeeding, the best solution is to get help, never get up, and to make sure your baby is receiving sufficient nutrition through supplementary techniques that are compatible with breastfeeding.
