Last update Feb. 7, 2020

Silicone

Compatible

Safe substance and/or breastfeeding is the best option.

A polymer made out of silicon-oxygen-methyl combination with a high molecular weight, water repellent and low superficial tension.

It is used in many ways (dimethicone, simethicone, -see specific items)orally to treat infant colic and flatulence; as pediculicide, in cosmetic creams and lotions and skin protectants as to prevent ulcers and scars; arthroplasties, retinal detachments and reconstruction or cosmetic surgery as injections and implants.

Silicone is widely distributed in our environment with several cosmetic and medicinal uses. No evidence of toxicity on human tissues has been shown. A 1994 report on immunological side effects in infants breastfed by mothers with silicone implants, was denied categorically by means of meta-analysis and other work.

The absorption by oral or dermal route is negligible. Both a high molecular weight and polymer molecular structure make it practically impossible excretion in the milk and hence a significant amount of intestinal absorption by the infant. Those circumstances make silicone implants safe for lactation even if broken or manufacturing fault (Poly Implant Prothèse, PIP). After extensive analysis of such silicone prosthesis, where lack of health risk was demonstrated, it can be concluded that many of the initial recommendations published lacked scientific validity, including that carriers of such prosthesis should not breastfeed.

Silicon levels in blood and milk of women with implants (55 ng / ml) are similar to those of women without implants (51 ng / ml), 13 times lower than that found in cow's milk (709 ng / ml) and 80 times lower than in commercial infant formulas (4403 ng / ml).

American Academy of Pediatrics: Product usually compatible with breastfeeding.

To view other possible effects on breastfeeding of breast implant unrelated to silicone, see the term 'Augmentation Mammoplasty'.


See below the information of these related products:

Alternatives

We do not have alternatives for Silicone since it is relatively safe.

Suggestions made at e-lactancia are done by APILAM team of health professionals, and are based on updated scientific publications. It is not intended to replace the relationship you have with your doctor but to compound it. The pharmaceutical industry contraindicates breastfeeding, mistakenly and without scientific reasons, in most of the drug data sheets.

Jose Maria Paricio, Founder & President of APILAM/e-Lactancia

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José María Paricio, founder of e-lactancia.
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Other names

Silicone is also known as


Groups

Silicone belongs to these groups or families:

Pharmacokinetics

Variable Value Unit
Oral Bioavail. 0 %
Molecular weight 21000 - 450.000 daltons

References

  1. Woo J, Park BY. Silicone in breastmilk from a breast implant: The hottest issue in Korea. Breast J. 2019 Jan;25(1):151-152. Abstract
  2. Wazir U, Kasem A, Mokbel K. The clinical implications of poly implant prothèse breast implants: an overview. Arch Plast Surg. 2015 Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  3. Schiff M, Algert CS, Ampt A, Sywak MS, Roberts CL. The impact of cosmetic breast implants on breastfeeding: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Int Breastfeed J. 2014 Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  4. Moschetta M, Telegrafo M, Cornacchia I, Vincenti L, Ranieri V, Cirili A, Rella L, Stabile Ianora AA, Angelelli G. PIP breast implants: rupture rate and correlation with breast cancer. G Chir. 2014 Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  5. Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks (SCENIHR). Preliminary Opinion on the safety of Poly Implant Prothèse (PIP) Silicone Breast Implants (2013 update). 2013 Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  6. MHRA. Silicon in Breast Milk. 2012 Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  7. Yang EJ, Lee KT, Pyon JK, Bang SI. Treatment algorithm of galactorrhea after augmentation mammoplasty. Ann Plast Surg. 2012 Abstract
  8. Ayestaray B, Dudrap E, Chaibi A. Galactorrhea after aesthetic breast augmentation with silicone implants: report of two cases and management of postoperative galactorrhea. Aesthetic Plast Surg. 2011 Abstract
  9. Agence française de sécurité sanitaire des produits de santé. (Afssaps). Questions/réponses. \ Implants mammaires à base de gel de silicone de la société Poly Implant Prothèse. 2011 Full text (in our servers)
  10. Agence française de sécurité sanitaire des produits de santé. (Afssaps). Informations/recommandations de sécurité concernant les implants mammaires pré remplis de gel de silicone fabriqués par la société POLY IMPLANT PROTHESE. Lettre aux professionnels de santé. Matériovigilance 2010 Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  11. MHRA. Summary report on tests performed on extracts of silicone gel filler material from PIP silicone breast implants. 2010 Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  12. Zoccali G, Lomartire N, Mascaretti G, Giuliani M. Silicone gel mammary prostheses: immune pathologies and breastfeeding. Clin Exp Obstet Gynecol. 2008 Abstract
  13. Semple JL. Breast-feeding and silicone implants. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2007 Abstract
  14. Kjøller K, Friis S, Lipworth L, McLaughlin JK, Olsen JH. Adverse health outcomes in offspring of mothers with cosmetic breast implants: a review. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2007 Abstract
  15. Lee JH, Zuckerman D. Silicon, silicone, and breast implants. Pediatrics. 2002 Abstract
  16. AAP - American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Drugs. Transfer of drugs and other chemicals into human milk. Pediatrics. 2001 Sep;108(3):776-89. Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  17. Signorello LB, Fryzek JP, Blot WJ, McLaughlin JK, Nyrén O. Offspring health risk after cosmetic breast implantation in Sweden. Ann Plast Surg. 2001 Abstract
  18. Lugowski SJ, Smith DC, Bonek H, Lugowski J, Peters W, Semple J. Analysis of silicon in human tissues with special reference to silicone breast implants. J Trace Elem Med Biol. 2000 Abstract
  19. Janowsky EC, Kupper LL, Hulka BS. Meta-analyses of the relation between silicone breast implants and the risk of connective-tissue diseases. N Engl J Med. 2000 Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  20. Peters W, Smith D, Lugowski S. Silicon assays in women with and without silicone gel breast implants--a review. Ann Plast Surg. 1999 Abstract
  21. Koren G, Ito S. Do silicone breast implants affect breastfeeding? Can Fam Physician. 1998 Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  22. Semple JL, Lugowski SJ, Baines CJ, Smith DC, McHugh A. Breast milk contamination and silicone implants: preliminary results using silicon as a proxy measurement for silicone. Plast Reconstr Surg. 1998 Abstract
  23. Jordan ME, Blum RW. Should breast-feeding by women with silicone implants be recommended? Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 1996 Abstract
  24. Levine JJ, Ilowite NT. Sclerodermalike esophageal disease in children breast-fed by mothers with silicone breast implants. JAMA. 1994 Abstract
  25. Berlin CM Jr. Silicone breast implants and breast-feeding. Pediatrics. 1994 Abstract
  26. Grant S, Edelman DA. Pregnancy, lactation and the use of silicone breast implants. Adv Contracept. 1994 Abstract

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