Saggy Breasts After Pregnancy/Breastfeeding: Causes And Prevention

Looking at your saggy breasts after pregnancy/breastfeeding might make yous think, 'do breasts shrink after pregnancy? Y'all should know that breast sagging is a natural aspect of post-pregnancy adjustments. It'south likewise known as 'ptosis,' and information technology's more of a cosmetic modify than a medical concern.

This post discusses the causes of drooping or sagging breasts following pregnancy and strategies to prevent this change.

What Causes Breast Sagging Later on Pregnancy Or Breastfeeding?

The breasts are fastened to the muscles by Cooper ligaments, which hold them in position (1). These ligaments are subjected to tension as early as the first trimester; they go heavier and fuller over the class of the pregnancy. With time, the stretched Cooper ligaments may begin to lose their elasticity, resulting in sagging. It is non the breastfeeding alone that causes the breasts to sag, only rather pregnancy, genetics and other factors.

During pregnancy, the breasts undergo changes as they prepare for breastfeeding. The milk glands abound and, therefore, there is an increase in breast size, which may be one of the causes for the sagging of breasts.

During the postpartum menstruation , the breasts increase in size. Breast milk continuously fills the breasts, causing the skin to stretch . You lot may too detect engorgement and inflammation, which are likely to alter the chest shape.

One time you wean, the milk producing glands return to their original size. It is believed that this process could exit the breasts empty, shrinking the fatty breast tissue and, therefore, making them look saggy and loose.

Breast sagging could increase with subsequent pregnancies, but breastfeeding may not have an bear upon  on the shape and appearance of the breast (ii).

Other factors that are probable to cause breast sagging include:

  • Multiple pregnancies
  • Larger breasts
  • History of weight loss
  • Higher body mass index (BMI)
  • Aging and smoking—both contribute to a reduction in skin elasticity (iii)

How To Prevent Breast Sagging After Pregnancy/Breastfeeding?

Listed below are some ways that may help in preventing breast sagging or firming up the breasts.

1. Wear a supportive bra

Article of clothing a correct-fitting and supportive bra. Cull one that is not-elastic and has wide straps. It should be snug and fit the entire breast tissue into the bra cup. The nipple line should remain between the elbow and the shoulder, whereas the back of the bra should stay betwixt the shoulder blades. Too, do not choose a bra with plastic or metal underwires (iv).

ii. Manage your weight

Gaining weight during pregnancy is essential but you lot can try not to proceeds as well much weight. The excess weight you lot gain during pregnancy might add more fatty tissue to your breasts (5).

3. Moisturize your breasts

All the rapid stretching during pregnancy could leave the skin dry. Apply a mild and rubber moisturizer on your breasts equally it maintains hydration and firmness. Exfoliation using a gentle body scrub or loofah could also help, only make sure to avert the areola and nipple area. Having moisturized pare restores elasticity better than dry pare.

iv. Lose weight gradually

Once you have had your infant and are planning to lose weight, talk to your medico first. You lot may want to lose all the weight at one time, or as fast as y'all can. Try to lose weight slowly and steadily. This may requite your skin the time information technology needs to adapt to the changes.

5. Finish smoking

Smoking may advance the pare'due south crumbling process (6). It could, therefore, cause the breast and skin tissue to lose firmness.

6. Maintain a skillful breastfeeding posture

A leaning forward posture while breastfeeding (considered a poor posture) may have a negative effect on your breasts. For a practiced posture , use a nursing pillow, or whatsoever other support, that could raise the baby to your breast level. Try to go along your shoulders, dorsum, and spine supported and in a straight position. A lot of mothers discover the laid dorsum or likewise called natural position very comfy, a mother is in a semi-reclined position, and the baby is on her stomach laying on the meridian of her. This position ensures that the female parent'southward back is completely relaxed and gravity works for her.

seven. Have a hot and common cold shower/massage

Hot h2o improves blood circulation, whereas common cold h2o is said to improve skin tone. While taking a shower, alternate betwixt the hot and cold water, and massage your breasts. Cease the shower with cold water. Chest massage, called therapeutic breast massage, if washed prior to or between feedings, improves apportionment in the breasts also equally prevents milk statis.

viii. Follow a healthy diet

Include foods rich in complex carbohydrates, protein, and good for you fats as they provide the body with necessary nutrition. It could assist proceed the skin and connective tissues of the breasts healthy. Eat foods rich in vitamin Due east (leafy greens, nuts, and seeds) and vitamin B (eggs, poultry, and fish) as they improve skin tone.

nine. Wean your baby gradually

When you plan to wean your baby, practice it over time. Reduce the number of feeding sessions gradually. This could assist regain the pre-pregnancy grade of the breasts, as well as let your body adjust the hormones slowly.

x. Exercise regularly

Incorporating a well-designed practice routine during and later pregnancy might help in preventing saggy breasts. You lot may showtime with uncomplicated and low-level forcefulness exercises in your pregnancy. Target your pectoral and dorsum muscles as it could help your breasts appear tighter and lifted. Mail service-birth, you may have to expect for six weeks to start exercising. Strengthening and toning exercises could brand a difference in preventing sagging breasts. Consider wearing a supportive sports bra while exercising.

Exercises To Forestall Breast Sagging

Given below are some chest exercises that might aid tone the muscles and forbid breast sagging.

1. Push-ups

Push-ups for saggy breasts after pregnancy or breastfeeding

Image: Shutterstock

They may help firm up the breasts and the chest muscles (7).

How to practise:
  1. Lie down on your tummy, preferably on a yoga mat.
  2. Place your palms on the flooring.
  3. Enhance your body using the arms (in that location should be a slight bend at the elbow to avoid any injury).
  4. Lower yourself to the floor equally far as yous can, and again push button back.
  5. Repeat information technology until you lot find it comfortable.

ii. Arm raises

Arm raises for saggy breasts after pregnancy or breastfeeding

Epitome: Shutterstock

This targets the upper body, especially the shoulders and artillery.

How to practise:
  1. You may practise this exercise while sitting with your legs folded, continuing, or sitting on an arm less chair.
  2. Extend your arms over the head every bit much as possible, keeping your elbows slightly bent.
  3. Remain in this position for some time, and slowly lower your arms.
  4. Repeat and exercise it oftentimes during the day.

3. Bench press

Bench press for saggy breasts after pregnancy or breastfeeding

Image: Shutterstock

This is a force-edifice do for the pectoral muscles (chest), shoulders, and dorsum. Take on the assistance of a fettle expert in a gym as you lot would need a pair of dumbells and a bench.

How to do:
  1. Prevarication flat on a bench and hold a dumbbell in either of your easily.
  2. Raise your hands slowly and concord them to a higher place your chest.
  3. Remain in the position for a while.
  4. Slowly bring down the arms close to the chest.
  5. Echo for a few times.

iv. Breast fly

Chest fly for saggy breasts after pregnancy or breastfeeding

Image: iStock

It works on the chest, arm, and dorsum muscles, thereby toning them.

How to do:
  1. Yous will need a chest fly (pec deck) automobile to do this exercise.
  2. Sit straight with both your feet apartment on the floor and grab the handles.
  3. Press your arms towards the chest slowly, and go on the elbows bent.
  4. Remain in this position for a second.
  5. Get back to the original position, opening your chest.
  6. Repeat for a few times.

These exercises may not necessarily aid bring back the shape of your breasts, but they might help tone them up. Talk to a professional before taking up any of these exercises and make sure to stay hydrated.

Breast Involution Later Pregnancy And Breastfeeding

The return of an organ to its original size is called involution. Breast involution might happen virtually iii months later your babe starts weaning or stops breastfeeding. Not all women may feel the same degree of involution. In some cases, the chest tissue may shrink simply leave the peel effectually information technology unchanged, making the breasts appear deflated (8).

Sagging Breasts And Plastic Surgery

Several surgical options could assistance in lifting and reshaping the droopy breasts. Chest augmentation and chest lift surgery are two well-known procedures that certified plastic surgeons perform (nine). If yous are in childbearing stage or trying for subsequent pregnancies, breast surgery may not exist an selection to consider. Moreover, it is expensive.

Does Wearing A Bra At Dark Preclude Sagging?

There is no scientific bankroll to this belief. If you do choose to vesture a bra at night, make certain it's soft, comfortable, and fits you well. You should not wear an underwire bra or one that's tight and puts pressure on your breasts. Tight bras and underwires can cause plugged milk ducts or mastitis. If you leak at night, and need to use nursing pads, a soft nursing tank summit might be a good solution.

Breasts undergo several changes during pregnancy to prepare for breastfeeding, and during the nursing period, the skin of the breast stretches every bit the breasts go filled with milk. Once you lot wean, the fatty chest tissue shrinks in size and may pb to a saggy appearance of your breasts. It is non unusual for women to experience sagging breasts after breastfeeding. Wearing a supportive bra, maintaining a healthy weight, moisturizing your breasts, maintaining a proper breastfeeding posture, and doing force exercises can prevent sagging. You lot may also consider a cosmetic correction if you are as well witting about saggy breasts after pregnancy or breastfeeding.

References:

MomJunction's articles are written after analyzing the research works of expert authors and institutions. Our references consist of resource established by authorities in their respective fields. Y'all can learn more almost the authenticity of the data we present in our editorial policy.

i. Allyson B. Rivard, Laura Galarza-Paez, and Diana C. Peterson.; Anatomy, Thorax, Chest; StatPearls Publishing (2020).
2. Rinker B, Veneracion M, and Walsh CP.; The effect of breastfeeding on breast aesthetics; Aesthet Surg J. (2008).
3. Rinker B,Veneracion M, and Walsh CP.; Breast ptosis: causes and cure; Ann Plast Surg. (2010).
iv. Concrete Changes and Concerns; Weeks thirteen-21 of Pregnancy; Country of South Dakota Publishings
v. Joe Giessler; What is normal weight gain during pregnancy; The Ohio Country University Wexner Medical Heart (2018).
6. Wrinkles, Aging, And Skin Protection; Women'south Health Research Plant; Northwestern University
7. Chest; RRDS Clinical Guide. Physical Fitness: A Guide for Individuals with Lower Limb Loss; Office of Research & Development – VA
8. Ronald D. Beesley and Julia V. Johnson; The Breast During Pregnancy and Lactation; The Global Library of Women due south Medicine (2008).
9. Rod Rohrich; Breast augmentation vs breast lift – picking the right procedure for y'all; American Club of Plastic Surgeons (2017).

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Rebecca Koyf is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), Registered Lactation Consultant (RLC),Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC) and a LaLeche League volunteer. She has a Bachelor's degree in Accounting and worked as an Auditor for the NYC Comptroller'due south Role for 8 years. Her ain breastfeeding struggles made her change her career and pursue the field in lactation. She has her... more

Rebecca is a pregnancy author and editor with a passion for delivering research-based and engaging content in areas of fertility, pregnancy, birth, and post-pregnancy. She has been into health and wellness writing since 2010. She received her graduate degree in Biotechnology and Genetics from Loyola Academy, Osmania University and obtained a certification in 'Nutrition and Lifestyle in Pregnancy' from Ludwig... more