One of the most important functions of breast is breastfeeding. The bond created between a mother and child during the breastfeeding stage is unique and incomparable to any other. The success of breastfeeding depends on the nerve connections in your breast as the stimulation of the nerves stimulates milk production. Not all women who have breast implants have problems with breastfeeding. Some factors that affect the breastfeeding or reduce the milk supply are:
Incision: If the incision was made in the fold under the breast or in the armpit there will be less nerve damage. If it is periareolar incision made around the edge of the nipple where it connects with the surrounding tissue of the breast, it may interfere with breast feeding and breast milk supply as it interrupts the milk ducts where the milk flows from the lobes to the nipples.
Placement of the implants: The place where the implants are placed can also affect the production of the breast milk. If the implants are placed below the pectoral muscle it disrupts breastfeeding the least, but if it is placed over the pectoral muscle it will affect the breastfeeding.
Implant type: Based on the silicone or saline implants there is always a danger of rupture. There has been no clear scientific indication that it will leak or that any leakage would be large enough amount to affect a nursing baby.
Pressure of breast implants: Irrespective of the implants type, incision site and placement of the implant there might be inadequate milk supply. This is explained due to the pressure of the breast implants on the milk ducts, which then are not able to produce enough milk to nurse the baby. Other reason could be that milk ducts get damaged resulting in inadequate milk supply after pregnancy.
Mastitis and galactorrhea: Certain complications like mastitis (infection of the milk ducts) and galactorrhea (milk production in a woman who is not pregnant) could affect lactation and nursing. So be aware of them before having the surgery.
Less sensitivity in nipple area: Some women who get silicone or saline implants tend to have either more or less sensitivity in the nipple area. Because the nipples play a large part in breastfeeding, having any kind of sensitivity can make breastfeeding very uncomfortable.
Underdeveloped breast: Women who have had surgery done to correct underdeveloped breasts are the most common to suffer from low breast milk production as the problem exists already.
It is very hard to predict the extent to which breast implant and breast augmentation could affect breastfeeding, it is wise for a young woman to wait until after having children to get breast implants if breastfeeding is important to her.