Introduction
The female breast is very complex as it comprises fatty tissues, sensitive nerves, and connective and glandular tissue, which produces milk. All these contents are packed closely into one place. Any breast surgery can directly impact the breastfeeding process as it can impact the amount of breastmilk produced, the amount of breastmilk stored, and how breast milk flows through the ducts. Breast construction will impact breastfeeding, but it can be compensated by using some extra nursing systems.
Can a Woman Breastfeed After Breast Cancer?
Whether the women who are affected by breast cancer or under treatment for breast cancer can breastfeed or not depends on the treatment provided to them. Women treated for cancer find it difficult to produce the required breast milk. Women with proper support will have a meaningful breastfeeding relationship with the newborn.
Any women affected by breast cancer and under hormonal therapy are advised not to breastfeed the baby as the medication used in these treatments may harm the newborn. Those women may be provided with colostrum in the initial days before getting back to hormonal therapy. For some women with a low risk of breast cancer, a break of a few days or months can be possible.
What Is Meant by Mastectomy?
Mastectomy is a procedure where the woman’s breast or other tissues or lymph nodes are removed. This procedure is done when a woman is affected by breast cancer, or it is used to treat women who are at increased risk of breast cancer. Post-mastectomy, if a reconstruction procedure is followed, the woman can breastfeed the newborn with the help of supplement nursing tools. The tools may contain donated milk or formulated milk.
A supplemental nursing system is a milk container that is attached to a flexible tube through which the newborn takes the milk. The tube is placed alongside the nipple so that during breastfeeding, the newborn takes both the nipple and the tube into the mouth.
What Are Nipple Tattoos?
Women who have undergone reconstructive surgery sometimes have a nipple tattoo over the reconstructed breast instead of utilizing tissues to reconstruct nipples. A nipple shield can be used during feeding the baby, along with the help of a supplement nursing system.
Is Breastfeeding Possible After Breast Augmentation?
Breast augmentation is a procedure that is done to alter the breast appearance using fat or implants. Usually, this procedure is done using implants to better position the breast. The location, size, and type of implant used in breast augmentation procedures will have an impact on how much milk is being produced. In addition to this, implants can cause nerve and vascular damage, which can also impact the milk supply. Any form of breast surgery is performed in such a way that it does not affect milk production or have an impact on lactation. A woman can breastfeed post-breast augmentation, and it is even safe to breastfeed with the implants.
How the Surgery Was Performed Has an Impact on Breastfeeding?
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Breast reduction surgery will have more impact on breast milk production than breast augmentation. This happens especially when the nipple has been displaced to a new position, which would have damaged the nerve supply to the nipple.
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The milk production also depends on how many milk-producing glands and ducts are damaged.
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If breast augmentation is performed on a woman who does not have sufficient breast tissue, breastmilk production can be affected if the ducts and nerves are damaged during the procedure.
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If the women have undergone any radiation process or mastectomy, they can breastfeed using the other breast. In the case of radiation therapy after partial mastectomy, the mother can also breastfeed the newborn with the affected breast.
What Is Meant by Lumpectomy and Radiotherapy?
Usually, women believe that if they have had a larger area of excision, known as lumpectomy, the breast affected will not produce the required amount of breast milk. This is a sure case if the excision is very close to the nipple. Milk production gets affected as the nerves get affected during the lumpectomy surgery. Radiotherapy also affects breast milk production. Breastmilk can be produced from one breast that is not affected. With the help of a support system, complete breastfeeding can be done using one breast that is not affected.
What Other Breast Surgeries or Procedures Affect Breast Milk Production or Breastfeeding?
Usually, breast cancer surgeries where tumors are removed, called lumpectomy or entire breast, are eliminated as mastectomy is done, which greatly impacts breast milk production and affects breastfeeding. An alternative treatment method is radiotherapy or chemotherapy which is used before and after the surgery or as an alternative method for surgery. This method has a huge negative impact on breast milk production or breastfeeding. In the case of radiation and chemotherapy, doctors advise the mother not to breastfeed as it will cause harmful effects on the baby due to severe breast inflammation, as the mother would be immunocompromised.
What Are the Methods to Enhance Breast Milk Production?
Usually, milk production increases when as much milk is produced out of the breast in the initial few weeks after the birth. Breast Milk production is based on supply and demand. The more frequently the mother feeds the newborn, the more breastmilk will be produced.
Supplements can be provided through formula milk or expressed milk. Supplement breastfeeding has a container filled with supplemental milk attached to a tube that attaches the container to the nipple. This allows the newborn to suck both the nipple and the tube simultaneously.
What Is Breast-Balancing Surgery?
Sometimes, women will undergo surgery to match the size and shape of the reconstructed breast with the normal breast. This procedure will affect the breastmilk production. It is necessary to consult with the doctor or breast-care nurse before performing the surgery.
Conclusion
Breast reconstruction surgery is a procedure that is performed due to various reasons. Breast reconstruction or augmentation surgery can affect breast milk production as the ducts and the nerves attached to the nipples of the breast get affected. There are various ways to breastfeed the newborn through supplements and other methods. Before performing a procedure, consultation with the doctor should be done.
