Breastfeeding?

Question

This may be a very personal question, but I needed to ask it . . . When you breastfeed, does it affect your breast size? I mean does it make them bigger and do they stay big, or do they get smaller later on? And does it give you stretch marks?? I know that it is a very healthy and wise decision to breastfeed, just wondering about the other aspects also. Thank-you.

Answer 1

If you're breastfeeding your breasts will generally be larger until you wean -- they are, after all, filled with milk! They do shrink back down afterwards, and, to be honest, virtually every woman I know went down a cupsize after she stopped breastfeeing, as compared to her pre-pregnancy size.

Incidentally, NOT all moms experience breast enlargement during pregnancy, or engorgement afterwards. I carried twins and wore my pre-pregnancy bra size comfortably throughout pregnancy; after birth my breasts were slightly larger, but I never needed to up my bra size. Ever.

Answer 2

My breasts got fuller when they were full of milk, but went back to normal after my baby nursed. I know some women get larger breasts when they are pregnant and/or when they breastfeed, but that wasn't the case for me - they stayed the same size, so I didn't get any stretch marks either. I think my areola's got a little bigger though, not so much from breastfeeding, but from pregnancy.

Breastfeeding burns about 300 more calories a day and helps your uterus contract back to it's normal size, so there are a few added benefits that you don't hear too much about.

Answer 3

Mine are the same now that I have stopped breastfeeding as they they were before I was pregnant... I do have stretch marks but that was due to the pregnancy and extra weight I had on me, and not due to nursing. Dont worry about the physical changes, even if you do see some changes it's the best thing for your baby to breastfeed. Your husband will be the only one to notice, anyways, and he should admire you above all else for everything you do for your children.

Answer 4

I did get some stretch marks with my first child. That depends on the genetic make up of your skin. Some women have tons of collagen and they don't get marks. Mine faded to white after awhile and don't show up much in bathing suits.

With my first child, after nursing, I went from a B cup to an A cup. But after two years they were normal and perky again. I am almost 30 now and have had my second child. I don't have any additional stretch marks and my boobs are freakin' HUGE!!! typically breasts will shrink after nursing but they do go back to normal eventually. Unless you have tons of children close together then they tend to sag after that because the body wouldn't have had time to go back to normal. But overall, the change isn't too significant.

Answer 5

It depends on alot of things. When I breastfed my first child I was a 34B pre-pregnancy. After he stopped nursing him, I was a 36C. I have had 2 other children since then, when I nursed them I was a 40DD, but went back down to a 36C with them both. I am still a 36C to this day, and my youngest is 9 months. As to stretch marks, yes I got some, but as time goes by they fade and theres really no noticing it.
Breastfeeding is the best gift you can give to your baby. As well as the benefits it does for you as well. It helps you burn calories, & shrink down quicker. And the bonding you have with your baby is so precious. I miss the days that mine lie in my arms & looked up at me & just smiled! It was the most fufilling part of becoming a new mother.

Answer 6

When your breasts are full of milk they will increase in size. (1-2 cup sizes for me) When you are no longer nursing, your breasts will go back down in size. It all depends on how much elasticity your skin has for whether or not you develope stretch marks. I have 4 kids. I nursed my 1 year old until she was 8 months old. It is healthy,easy,quicker than making a bottle,and no bottles to wash!

Answer 7

My breasts were fuller when I breastfed my son. They unfortunately did not stay that way after I stopped. I didn't get stretch marks on them but then I used cocoa butter on them and my belly as well but be sure not to put any on the nipples as it isn't good for the baby to taste.

Answer 8

It depends on the woman. Just what you wanted to hear huh? But really my sister was small and ended up smaller, I was big and ended up the same, a friend was big and ended up even bigger. My sister had sreach marks, my friend and I didn't. It's all different for everyone.

Answer 9

My breasts got bigger and stayed bigger. BUT.. I haven't lost much weight since having the babies. As far as stretch marks go.. nope, not for me. Everyone is different. These things will be different for everyone.

Answer 10

The breast changes that moms experience are due to pregnancy, not nursing. ALL moms, even those who never nurse, will have breast changes during pregnancy and experience the initial postpartum engorgement. So, if your boobs are going to change anyway, might as well get the benefits of using them for what they're supposed to do!