I don't know if we have enough girls on our little baby board yet, but Im curious to know if there are any moms or moms-to-be that have breast implants that did breast feed or are contemplating whether they will breast feed?

Im going through this right now...I want to, but there are risks so Im just having a hard time with it and wondered if anyone is sharing in this same problem?

I have breast implants and plan on "trying" to breast feed for at least a month no more than 2 months.... My cousin that went to the same Dr as me breast feed both of her babies without a problem.... What risks have you heard of? 

Per my MD, the risk is this, when your baby is learning to breast feed, not only do they suck, but they blow.  This can cause milk to go back up the milk duct and cause infection thereby causing capilary constriction (the dreaded capilary constriction!!) and consequently disfigurment of the breast and ultimately surgery.

So, he said although he doesn't recommend that his patients breastfeed, that a lot of them do.

I think Im gonna chance it and go for it because the main reason, 1) its major bonding with your little one that is unlike anything else... and for the selfish reason of 2) you burn tons of calories. 

HA HA!  Don't kill me because I said that fellow mommies! It's just a bonus you can't deny! ;)

Oh wow I think that I am going to ask my Dr tomorrow about this! What about pumping? It is the same? Oh and I totally agree with you on the calorie burning part!

I don't have implants, but I have had friends who have them, as well as breast re-ductions.  and most all had problems breastfeeding.  Of course that doesn't mean you cant, but it could be a challenge.  I don't have them- but had enough issues as it was.  I got infections, rashes, bleeding, etc. So if I had implants I would be even more nervous. 

I would go an extra step and find a breast feeding group, consultants, post partum doula, etc. They deal with this stuff everyday and maybe will be more re-assuring then just your Dr.  b/c they can help "train" your breasts and explain to you better what they have seen.  We have a lot down here- wonderful help, I just don't know your area, but I would look into it. . .

Breastfeeding is a true commitment if you want to be sucessful, so don't beat your self up over it.  I made it to almost 8 weeks, something is better then nothing, but now I know what to expect for next time and how to be better. . .

~ HMM :)

Yeah, see! My doctor is a very no-nonsense kinda guy so he tells the straight facts (he's also a chief cardiac surgeon so he's not a spa, cosmetic, touchy feely type doc - but I like that).  I think pumping is fine because I don't believe it would be pushing any of the milk back up the duct, just sucking it out - in fact I think (if my memory serves me right, it was 5 years ago...) that is what he said, pump.

ohhhh and you DO lose weight brestfeeding!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Im super bummed, I have GAINED 6 pounds since I stopped! Depressing. . .

Not everyone has incerdible weight loss while nurse!  I breastfeed both of mine 10 1/2 months.  I was one of the unlucky ones who didnt talk about BUMMED!  I didnt eat real bad either.  A friend lost like 35lbs and then once she stopped she gain back 20 right away. 

I've been breastfeeding for almost 4 weeks now, and I've lost almost all of my baby weight, about 15 lbs. It may not cause everyone to loose weight, but it does trigger the release of a hormone that makes your uterus shrink back to it's normal size.

I'm curious about the whole infection & capillary constriction thing. Is it a risk that is higher in women with implants?

Definitely seek out help with this. It's hard enough without breast implants! See if there's a La Leche League chapter that meets in your area. Or even at the hospital where you plan to deliver, you can often meet with a lactation consultant at no charge. (If you deliver in a hospital) It might be a good idea to meet with someone before you give birth. That way you're prepared for anything that may happen. For me, I was freaking out because my baby wouldn't latch on at all for the first 24 hours. Finally a lactation consultant told me that it was pretty normal.

Good luck!

Abatty how much weight did you gain with Thomas? So far I have gained 7lbs and that was at my last appt at 13 1/2 weeks.... Tomorrow I will see how much more I have gained.... They told me that I should gain about 30-35 lbs....