Pregnancy and breastfeeding can cause some big changes in your life — and to your breasts. Not only can your breasts change in size, shape, and sensitivity, but you’ll also feel very differently about them once they are called to duty as your baby’s primary food source.
Since becoming a parent changes such a lot, it’s going to come as no surprise that your post-breastfeeding breasts may barely resemble your pre-pregnancy ones. That said, not all changes are dramatic, and a few people may only notice a small difference within the appearance of their breasts.
Do your breasts change after breastfeeding?
Along with the loosening of joints, your Cooper’s Ligaments — the ligaments that support your breast tissue — loosen and stretch to accommodate the expansion of your breasts. you’ll also see stretch marks on your skin thanks to breast growth.
Additionally, your nipples may undergo some visible changes. they’ll darken considerably, the bumps referred to as Montgomery’s tubercles might get bigger, and your areola may grow larger. These changes are a part of your body’s way of preparing for breastfeeding, making the nipples more visible and prepared for feeding your newborn.
All of those changes will happen during the course of your pregnancy and don’t depend on whether or not you really breastfeed.
But breastfeeding does have a particular and sometimes permanent effect on breast tissues, explains Sherry A. Ross, MD, OB-GYN, and women’s health expert at Providence Saint John’s clinic.
The increase in estrogen and mammary development that happens throughout pregnancy continues within the postpartum period. And if you breastfeed, Deedra Franke, RN, BSN, IBCLC, a licensed lactation consultant at Mercy center says the mammary ducts are crammed with milk, which again, gives the looks of fuller breasts.
When you finish weaning from breastfeeding, your milk ducts are not any longer filling with milk. This might cause a smaller volume of breast tissue. Sometimes your skin will tighten to fit your new breast size, but sometimes there isn’t enough elasticity for it to try to so.
Your body’s ability to regulate those demands on your breasts depends on many factors. These include:
- age
- genetics
- weight gain (and loss)
- number of pregnancies
- original breast size
- whether you’re a smoker
Of course, even normal life, without pregnancy and breastfeeding, can cause breast changes.
As you reach menopause, Franke says estrogen decreases, causing a discount of fat in your breasts and a decrease in mammary ducts size. “Without estrogen, mammary glands shrink, making the breast size smaller and fewer full, whether or not a lady breastfeeds,” she says.
“Basically, breastfeeding doesn’t ‘make’ a woman’s breasts get smaller; it’s a natural action associated with the overall decrease in estrogen as all women age,” adds Franke.
Caring for your breasts during and after breastfeeding
While you’ll not be ready to completely reverse the consequences of pregnancy and aging, there are some steps you’ll fancy to look after your breasts.
Wear a supportive bra
Shopping for any sort of clothing after parturition is perhaps the last item on your mind, but finding a properly fitted and supportive bra may be a game-changer for your breasts. regardless of what your breast size, proper support is vital, points out Ross.
Her advice? Get properly fitted for a bra that gives the much-needed support to breast tissue during typical daily activities. The proper bra will help prevent pain and “sagging” while breastfeeding and beyond.
Choosing a bra that provides you a touch lift will go an extended way in shaping your post-nursing breasts — especially under clothing. Consider a shape-fitting bra that has cups made to suit the highest of your breasts, but also provides the support and boosts your desire for comfort and appearance.
Before you invest during a whole new lingerie wardrobe though, you’ll want to attend 3 to six months after breastfeeding to permit your body to regulate and for your breasts to settle into their new shape. you’ll then stock your drawers with all the flamboyant bras you would like to flatter and support your new shape.
Avoid smoking
In addition to the opposite health risks, smoking has an impact on the elasticity of your skin. ask your medical man a few smoking cessation programs.
Go easy on yourself
No two breasts are an equivalent, albeit they’re a pair. All women have a degree of unevenness between their breasts. As your breasts enlarge during pregnancy, the differences are often more pronounced, together breasts may have more milk ducts or production capabilities. After breastfeeding, your breasts could also be larger or smaller than they were before pregnancy. they’ll look different and feel different than they once did. Give yourself time to regulate to those changes.
See a doctor for any lumps or pain
If you’re experiencing any lumps or pain in your breasts, it’s important that you simply reach bent your healthcare practitioner. Some women will experience mastitis, which is an infection that will happen as a result of a plugged milk duct or broken skin on the nipples.
Additionally, if your nipples burn or feel sore, you’ll have thrush, which may be a mild yeast infection. More often though, nipple pain is often a symbol of a bacterial infection on the skin or the results of your baby having a poor latch. Continue with breast self-exams and let your provider know if you are feeling any new bumps or notice a rise in size in any existing ones.
What about surgical procedures?
Due to changes in their shape, some people choose surgical changes to their breasts after breastfeeding. this is often a really personal choice and isn’t right for everybody. Before considering any facelift, it’s important to think about the impact of such procedures.
If you’re planning on another pregnancy, you’ll want to carry off until you’re finished having children before considering surgery. Certain surgical procedures to the breast can make it virtually impossible to breastfeed within the future. Additionally, future pregnancies will end in changes to the breast tissue, even after surgery. As with any major procedure, confirm to speak to your doctor about the pros and cons and any complications that would arise.
