The research, sponsored by Medela, at the University of Western Australia, has identified significant changes to the way the breast anatomy is structured.

Women need to be made aware of the implications of breast surgery, and how this may have an effect on their ability to breastfeed.

	The external shape or size of the breast does not affect its internal anatomy or its lactating ability. Like all parts of our bodies breasts come in many shapes and sizes, with different shaped nipples, colour and texture.
	It was thought that there were 15-20 lobes and milk ducts per breast The new research has identified that there is between 4-18 milk ducts exiting at the nipple. The network of milk ducts is complex, but the implications of this will have an impact on women who choose to have breast surgery.
	If women choose to have breast reduction or enlargement surgery, they should consider the fact that there are less ducts in the breast than previously thought. The loss of only a few ducts can seriously compromise a woman's ability to lactate and therefore breastfeed. These findings and more will have to influence surgical procedures to ensure that women maintain their ability to breastfeed their babies.
	One study showed that women who had previously had breast surgery were 3 times more at risk of not being able to lactate sufficiently compared to those women without surgery. Another study on women with breast reduction surgery, showed that they exclusively breastfed for 5 days, opposed to women who had not had surgery breastfed for 3 months. Similarly women who had breast enlargement surgery showed 64% of them had insufficient milk supply.
	With more and more women at an increasingly younger age opting to have breast surgery, they need to be informed about the effects it could have on them in the future. The benefits of breastfeeding are ever more evident and mothers are being encouraged to breastfeed their babies. Professionals need to ensure that this new research is widely available so that women can make an informed decision about their breasts.

Note: The Department of Health recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months. If you or a friend would like help in coping with any breastfeeding difficulties, please see your midwife or health visitor, or refer to our Support Links.

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