Hello. My name is Erin Hinderer-Wevers and I am a junior nursing 
student at the University of North Dakota. I am currently taking a 
childbearing class. I joined this listserv a few weeks ago and have 
enjoyed learning about the different topics that have been discussed so 
far. 
     I am very interested in the effect of silicone breast implants on a 
mother’s (and baby’s) ability to breastfeed and any complications that may 
arise.  I understand how much breastfeeding is stressed in many 
situations, even those that may not be ideal for mother or baby as many 
times the benefits outweigh the risks.  I am delighted that so much work 
is being done to emphasize the importance of breastfeeding.  
I have done some research into the effects of silicone breast implants on 
breastfeeding.  Ward, Bates, Benitz, Burchfield, Ring, Walls, and Walson 
(2001) state that despite one study that links a complication to silicone 
implants, there is no solid evidence against silicone implants that would 
make them a contraindication to breastfeeding.  They state in their study 
that the silicone levels in breast milk of mothers with implants do not 
exceed that of mothers in a control group. 
     Despite this fact, concerns among women remain.  Questions about the 
ability to produce an adequate milk supply (or any milk at all) and any 
toxic effect the silicone may have on the baby are frequently asked to 
physicians and lactation consultants.  Hurst (2003) addresses some of 
these concerns and also gives clinicians examples of questions to ask the 
mother, such as inquiring about what type of surgery she had and when, the 
incision type and placement, and if she has any experience with 
breastfeeding and time frame (pre- or post-augmentation).  The answers may 
help the clinician foresee any potential problems with breastfeeding in 
the future, as it has been shown that women who had augmentation with 
periareolar incisions were more likely to experience difficulty in 
lactation.  
     A study by Levine and Ilowite (1994) attempts to show a link between 
abnormal esophageal peristalsis and movement with silicone implants.  The 
study showed that 6 of 8 breastfed children of mothers with silicone 
implants showed decreased esophageal peristalsis, while none of the 3 
bottle-fed children of mothers with silicone implants showed any 
problems.  Ryan (1996) refers to this study as well when asked if a 
healthy mother with a history of silicone implants should breastfeed.  
My questions are: do you have any concerns or experience with 
breastfeeding mothers that have silicone implants, and what is your 
reaction to the Levine and Ilowite study (done on 11 children of mothers 
with silicone implants and 17 children not exposed to silicone implants)?

Thank you,
Erin Hinderer-Wevers, SN



Hurst, N.  (2003). Breastfeeding After Breast Augmentation. Journal of 
     Human Lactation, 19(1), 70-71. 
Levine, J.J., Ilowite, N.T.  (1994, January 19). Sclerodermalike   
     esophageal disease in children breast-fed by mothers with silicone 
     breast implants [Abstract].  JAMA, 271(3), 213-216.
Ryan, M.E.  (1996, August 25). Should She Breast-Feed?  Cortlandt Forum, 9
     (8), 113.
Ward, R., Bates, B., Benitz, W., Burchfield, D., Ring, J., Walls, R., and 
     Walson, P. (2001, September). American Academy of Pediatrics: The 
     Transfer of Drugs and Other Chemicals into Human Milk.  PEDIATRICS, 
     108(3), 776-789.

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