For starters, breastfeeding is in principle possible even if you have had surgery or a piercing. The key is that for the breast to continue producing milk, the mammary tissue must remain connected to the nipple. The nipple should also still be sensitive, meaning that the hormones that control the production and flow of milk will be released.

Breast enlargement

In cosmetic breast enlargement surgery, an implant can be inserted either via an incision in the inframammary fold (the crease underneath the breast) or by making a semicircular incision around the lower edge of the areola.

While the second option results in a less visible scar, it also brings with it increased risk of damaging milk ducts and important nerves. If the incision was made in the inframammary fold, breastfeeding is usually still possible without any major problems.

It has not yet been definitively established whether substances used to fill implants (silicone) may leak into the mother’s body. Whether these substances could harm a breastfed child also remains unclear, as there is a lack of research on this subject. In addition, there are currently no reliable ways to verify whether silicone is absorbed into breast milk, and if so on what scale.

Breast reduction

Large breasts can cause back, shoulder or neck pain, leading some women to opt for a breast reduction. This involves removing breast tissue. Most of the milk ducts, blood vessels and nerves are usually preserved, but the mammary gland tissue is often reduced, and this can restrict milk production.

Essentially, the longer ago the surgery was carried out, the better, because nerves and milk ducts are able to regenerate to some extent. However, the outcome depends heavily on how much tissue was removed and whether the nipple had to be detached and moved higher up the breast,

which can make breastfeeding significantly more difficult. After surgery, there can sometimes be a delay in the onset of milk production, but the quantity of milk will often increase with time. Expressing milk in addition to feeding directly can stimulate production.

Nipple piercings

A fully healed nipple piercing is not generally an obstacle to breastfeeding. However, there may be scarring and milk may leak through the piercing.

Jewellery must always be removed while breastfeeding, as it can irritate the baby and cause injuries around their mouth. In a worst-case scenario, they could even swallow the ring.

If you wish to remove a piercing completely while you are lactating and reinsert it after weaning, you should stretch the piercing regularly with a taper to ensure it does not heal over.

Getting your nipple pierced during pregnancy is not a good idea, as this can bring on lead to premature labour.

A piercing should ideally be done at least 12 to 18 months before a planned pregnancy so that the wound has time to heal fully.

Wait until your family is complete

Where feasible, breast surgery should as a rule not be performed until you have finished having children. In the case of breast enlargement in particular, implants may shift after pregnancy, or smaller or larger implants may be required. This may mean that further is needed after pregnancy.