What damage, if any, is done to your breasts from breastfeeding?

Answer 1

Your breasts will not be "damaged" by breastfeeding as such.

They will definitely change when you are feeding and after you have finished feeding, but this will be a cosmetic change more or less - they probably will not be as firm as they once were. They may be a cup size or two bigger or smaller as well, and may have stretch marks. However ageing and weight gain or loss in general often has the same effect, breastfeeding or not.

Sometimes women get cracked and sore nipples (also called grazed nipples) when they start to feed but this will heal.

Occasionally women experience blocked milk ducts or infections while breastfeeding (eg: mastitis) however with prompt attention and sometimes antibiotic therapy this too will heal. Either way once it has cleared things return to normal.

If feeding damaged a woman's breasts the doctors would discourage, not encourage breast feeding.

Answer 2

None, all the changes to the breasts: development to the mammary glands, darkening nipples, etc happen during pregnancy whether you intend to breastfeed or not.

Not to mention that breastfeeding reduces the risks of breast cancer, and I think a mastectomy is probably a bigger beauty concern.

"Breast involution is a process where the milk-making system inside the breast shrinks because it's not needed anymore. This happens either after weaning, or right after pregnancy if you don't breastfeed at all, or during menopause. When the tissues inside breast shrink, and the skin surrounding it doesn't, the breast can look 'empty' and saggy. Over time, some fat gets deposited back to the breast so it will look somewhat fuller but sagging usually remains."
http://www.007b.com/sagging.php

I don't want to get saggy breasts
Breastfeeding doesn't make breasts sag - pregnancy does. If anything, breastfeeding will help your breasts look better, at least while you're lactating, because they will be full of milk. But saggy breasts are just a part of life. Some women get them at a younger age, and some lucky women stay perky well through menopause. Breastfeeding has nothing to do with it.
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/157223/debunking_common_misconceptions_about.html?page=2

Answer 3

I have heard of nipple irritation and cracking in the first few weeks but eventually your skin adjusts and those problems clear themselves up. I have also heard of milk glands getting clogged which can be painful but is also temporary and leaves no long term damage. I do not know of any permanent harm breastfeeding can cause, in fact, studies indicate that breastfeeding could decrease the risk of breast cancer later in life, so it actually is good for you! It also helps your uterus contract down to its origional size quicker and can help you lose your pregnancy weight faster.
I have known some women who complained that their breasts sagged more after breastfeeding, but that just happens as you get older. You don't even have to get old if you are large breasted. My breasts haven't been perky since I was 13 years old.

Answer 4

Well in the beginning you can get cracked nipples. They scab and bleed sometimes but it usually goes away within a couple of weeks of breastfeeding. Permanent damage I don't think there is any. Some women say that they get lopsided after nursing but most don't. That usually just happens with age and pregnancy but not nursing. Just make sure you alternate from which breast you feed from. Other than that I don't know of anything else!

Answer 5

I went from a C to an A after I stopped breastfeeding. I also have stretchmarks on my breasts now, and my nipples stayed black and pointy.

Answer 6

None that doesnt occur over time naturally.

Trust me, put vanity aside, no matter what it might do to your boobs or not, its infinitely better for your childs life long health than the alternative of using formula.