Breast Implants and Breastfeeding in Atlanta: What to Know

Know the facts. Be prepared. We want to help answer these most popular questions:

• Can I breastfeed with implants?
• Is breastfeeding with implants safe for my baby?
• How will breast implants affect my milk supply?

Let us help you bust through the myths so you can get off to the best start with breastfeeding!

What Should You Know About Breast Implants and Breastfeeding?

Can You Breastfeed with Implants?

YES! You can still absolutely breastfeed your baby with breast implants.

Most women with breast implants are able to breastfeed normally. The fact is, it’s a misconception that you can’t produce milk with implants or that production will be significantly affected. 

The important distinction for patients researching breast implants and breastfeeding is that augmentation does not automatically prevent nursing. No breast surgery can guarantee a full milk supply, though; the outcome depends partly on how much glandular tissue, how many milk ducts, and how much nerve function remains intact after surgery. If future pregnancy and breastfeeding matter to you, raise it before you have breast augmentation in Atlanta so your surgeon can explain how incision and implant-placement choices may relate to nursing later. 

Is breastfeeding with implants safe for my baby?

The main concern with breastfeeding and implants is the risk they will burst, leak, and contaminate your milk. Implants can be filled with either saline or silicone.

 According to the CDC , research is limited, but there are no recent reports of clinical problems in infants of mothers with silicone breast implants, and silicone implants are not considered a contraindication to breastfeeding. 

Contact your plastic surgeon if you know or suspect an implant has ruptured, or if you notice an unexpected change in breast shape, swelling, or pain. Discuss any infant-feeding concerns with your pediatrician or another qualified health care professional. 

Will Implants Affect Milk Supply?

The main reason implants usually do not affect breast milk production is that they are typically placed behind the milk glands or beneath the chest muscles, so they do not interfere with the mammary glands or milk ducts. Everyone’s body is different, though, and you will not know your supply until after the baby is born and you start making milk. Most moms with implants make plenty of milk and never need to supplement. 

Surgical technique is what matters most for breast implants and lactation. According to the CDC, implants placed below the muscle generally affect milk production less than implants placed above the muscle, and incisions around the areola are more likely to reduce milk production because nerves and ducts involved in lactation may be disrupted. Incisions under the breast or in the armpit are less likely to interfere. 

Some mothers produce a full supply and others produce only part of what their baby needs, which does not mean breastfeeding has failed. For most, nursing after augmentation simply means watching milk production more closely: the CDC recommends closer monitoring of babies whose mothers have had breast surgery, so ask your pediatrician or lactation consultant to track weight gain and advise whether expressed milk, pasteurized donor milk, or formula should be added. 

Planning for Pregnancy Before Breast Augmentation

Augmentation can be performed before you have children, but pregnancy belongs in the conversation when you build a surgical plan, because pregnancy changes breast volume, skin elasticity, and breast position whether or not you breastfeed. Telling your surgeon that you plan to have children lets you weigh incision placement, implant position, and your existing anatomy against your breastfeeding goals.

If you are still weighing your options, our guide to choosing your breast implant size is a useful place to start before a consultation.

Tips for Breastfeeding with Implants

There are several things you can do to help increase your milk production and help your baby get all the nourishment they need. Here are some tips to help you breastfeed with implants:

• Make sure proper latching occurs. The nipple should also be deep enough into your baby’s mouth that his/her tongue and gums cover at least one or two inches of your areola. Guide your baby forward to your breast. With your other thumb and forefinger, hold your breast in a “C” position; this makes it easier for your baby to latch on. When your baby latches on well, you’ll maximize the stimulation of those nerves that trigger hormones that produce breast milk.
• Breastfeed frequently. Frequent milk removal signals your body to keep producing. Current CDC guidance notes that breastfeeding newborns often feed about 8 to 12 times in 24 hours, so follow your baby’s cues and your pediatrician’s advice. 
• Use a breast pump. Emptying your breasts spurs the production of more milk and lets you store milk that someone else can give by bottle when you are not available. Pumping also helps when a baby has trouble latching.
• Supplement when medically appropriate. Some mothers do not produce a complete supply after breast surgery, and there is no reason to feel ashamed if supplementation is needed. Your pediatrician or lactation consultant can determine whether expressed milk, pasteurized donor milk, formula, or a combination fits your baby’s nutritional needs. 
• Contact a lactation consultant. If your baby will not latch, is not gaining weight as expected, or you think you are not producing enough milk, make an appointment. These professionals will safeguard your privacy while observing how you breastfeed and then provide expert advice on getting better results. 

Why Choose Dr. Mark Deutsch for Breast Augmentation?

Dr. Mark Deutsch is a double-board-certified plastic surgeon with more than 35 years of surgical experience. His approach to augmentation weighs each patient’s anatomy, desired result, health history, and future plans, including how implant type, placement, and incision location factor into breastfeeding later. You can also review our guide to breast augmentation recovery and care to understand what to expect after surgery.

Perimeter Plastic Surgery sees breast augmentation patients from Atlanta, Fayetteville, Sandy Springs, Roswell, and the surrounding Georgia communities, at our Atlanta office and our Fayetteville office.

Schedule a Consultation with Perimeter Plastic Surgery

If you are interested in breast augmentation but are currently breastfeeding, or considering the possibility of pregnancy and breastfeeding, schedule a consultation with Dr. Deutsch. He will help determine the right surgical plan and timeline for you. 

Yes, you can still breastfeed if you have implants — and if future breastfeeding is important to you, discussing it beforehand lets Dr. Deutsch tailor the plan to your anatomy and long-term goals. Request a consultation with Dr. Deutsch or call (404) 255-0886. 

Medical disclaimer: this article is for general education and is not a substitute for individualized medical advice. Questions about your baby’s feeding or health should be directed to your pediatrician or a qualified lactation professional, and questions about your implants or breast surgery to your plastic surgeon. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Breast Implants and Breastfeeding

Can you breastfeed with breast implants?

Yes. Most patients can breastfeed after breast augmentation, though a full milk supply cannot be guaranteed. Implant placement, incision location, nerve function, and your existing breast tissue all influence how much milk you produce.

Will breastfeeding change how my breast implants look?

It can. Breasts enlarge during pregnancy and lactation and then lose volume after weaning, which may leave the breast looking flatter at the top or lower on the chest. These changes come from pregnancy and skin elasticity rather than from the implant itself, and they affect patients with and without implants. Some patients later choose a revision or a lift once their breasts have settled.

How long should I wait after breastfeeding to have breast augmentation or a revision?

Most surgeons prefer to operate once breastfeeding has ended and breast size has been stable for several months, commonly around three to six months after weaning. Waiting until your breasts have settled makes implant size and incision planning far more predictable. Dr. Deutsch can give you a timeline based on your own examination.

Can I have breast augmentation while I am still breastfeeding?

Elective breast surgery is generally postponed until after you have finished nursing. Lactating breast tissue is engorged and more prone to complications, and the final result is difficult to judge while breast volume is still changing. If you are currently breastfeeding, a consultation is still worthwhile for planning and timing.

Last updated on November 2, 2026