Did breastfeeding really cause your breast to sag? I have been breastfeeding my 4 old and will not not stop just because I have some ignorant people in my family that are telling me negative things to try and get me to stop. They always tell me that if I formula feed my breast will go back the way they were before I got pregnant but since I breastfeed I will have "saggy breast of a 90 year old." How would they know being that they are against it and know nothing about it? Either way I know it is best for my child and for my body in several ways. I am curious to know if anyone has experience saggy breast from breastfeeding?
2007-12-12 17:55:46 · 8 answers · asked by Dae 3 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
Breastfeeding doesn't make your breasts sag. Pregnancy does. Smoking does.
They're full of it.
There was actually just a study about this too, it's in the first link.
Mine were a tad saggy after I stopped breastfeeding my daughter (for 6 weeks) but that's because I was pregnant.
If you want to be snotty (I would LOL) tell the nay sayers that you value your baby more than your appearance and that you're sorry that they don't.
ETA: Colleen's answer makes no sense. What she quoted agrees with the "breastfeeding nuts"
Clearly stated is the fact that it happens after pregnancy if you don't breastfeed or after weaning.
Reading comprehension is a wonderful thing
2007-12-13 06:02:55 · answer #1 · answered by Mandy 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There is absolutely no factual proof that says either way, if breastfeeding will make you breasts sag or not.
It is totally and completely dependant on the individual woman and her body.
Personally I breastfed both my children for only 7 & 8 mths respectively due to circumstances beyond my control. I would've gone longer but thems the breaks!
Now, my breasts have sagged but I also gained and lost and gained and lost weight during both pregnancies and have ended up with a total weightloss of 66pds (30kgs) and I believe that this is more likely to be the cause of my breasts sagging and not the breastfeeding itself. Also my breasts were very large (e-f cup and then down to a c cup) so that also plays a part.
Also my mother in law breastfed two children to 12mths each but has very little sagging and small breasts. And my friend did the same, has small breasts and she doesn't have sagging either. And another friend had very large weight gain and loss, bottle fed and doesn't sag and also small breasts.
Yet another friend gained a lot of weight during pregnancy, bottle fed and has very saggy breasts but has very large breasts.
It really depends on the individual person, their body, their previous weight gains and loss and genes. Not if they breastfed or not.
Don't listen to your family, do as you please and be happy with whatever happens to your breasts.
My consolation is, if I feel i want to when I finish breastfeeding this last baby, I can always get a boob job, lol!!
best of luck
2007-12-12 18:30:46 · answer #2 · answered by Cindy; mum to 3 monkeys! 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
"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."
It's the pro-breastfeeding nuts that would have you believe there is no effect. Do whatever you want, but don't believe them. One or two who say they're okay are probably the exception or still very young.
2007-12-12 18:03:52 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
I don't think so... mine are a bit softer, but still at the same level and size.
from my circle of friends and family... its the ones who did NOT breastfeed that have the saggier breasts. my theory is that a nursing breast is exercised more... the tissue and skin is not just stretched out once, engorged, then shrink down again when not nursing. when you do nurse, the skin and tissue and muscle for that matter is worked out regularly, you normally don't have a severe case of engorgement, and in the end even if you do have breasts down to your knees... it is the undisputed best thing for your child.
plus you would be doing a great service for your body's health, even if they do end up saggier. you'll reduce your chance of lots of female cancers - including uterine and breast, reduce your chance and/or severity of post partum depression.........
http://www.promom.org/101/
2007-12-12 23:45:42 · answer #4 · answered by Tanya 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I agree with your family, I suppose something has to do with it genetically but I had a baby very young (15) and breastfed and even at that young age they were no longer the same. I still breast fed all my other babys because that is what is most important but they are not the same
2007-12-12 20:42:36 · answer #5 · answered by gold_miners_daughter 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
actually research has shown that breast feeding does not affect your breasts resiliancy. pregnancy and genetics do. regardless of whether or not you breast feed, if you are genetically predisposed to have saggy breasts they will sag and won't sag more because of breast feeding. good for you for not being vain and chosing your childs health over beauty.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21599854/
2007-12-12 18:00:05 · answer #6 · answered by somebody's a mom!! 7 · 5⤊ 0⤋
They're the same as they ever were.
It's pregnancy, the initial milk production, and age that will do you in. So even if you don't nurse, your breasts will never be the same after you have a baby.
2007-12-12 18:42:46 · answer #7 · answered by maegs33 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Nope I breastfed for 14 months and my boobs are exactly where they should be, lol. They are bigger now too :) And my baby has never ever been sick.. if you can breastfeed and feel comfortable doing it then go for it, its a great bonding experience!
2007-12-12 18:00:14 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋