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Question
Sagging breasts: Inevitable after breast-feeding?
Are sagging breasts inevitable after breast-feeding? I'm worried about the toll breast-feeding may take on my breasts.
Answer
from Elizabeth LaFleur, R.N.
It's normal to wonder how breast-feeding will affect your breasts, but take heart. Research has shown that breast-feeding doesn't negatively affect breast shape or volume.
Still, sagging breasts are a valid concern. During pregnancy, the ligaments that support your breasts may stretch as your breasts get fuller and heavier. This stretching may contribute to sagging breasts after pregnancy — whether or not you breast-feed your baby. Sagging breasts may be more noticeable with each subsequent pregnancy, especially if you have large breasts.
Other factors also contribute to sagging breasts, including aging and smoking — both of which reduce skin elasticity. Being overweight can have a similar effect.
Remember, breast milk is the ideal food for most babies. Don't let a fear of sagging breasts stop you from breast-feeding. To maintain the appearance of your breasts at any stage of life, make healthy lifestyle choices. Include physical activity in your daily routine. Eat a healthy diet. If you smoke, ask your doctor to help you quit.
Next questionVaginoplasty: OK for cosmetic purposes?
- Rinker B, et al. The effect of breastfeeding on breast aesthetics. Aesthetic Surgery Journal. 2008;28:534.
- Pisacane A, et al. Breastfeeding and perceived changes in the appearance of the breasts: A retrospective study. Acta Paediatrica. 2004;93:1346.
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Your Pregnancy & Birth. 4th ed. Washington, D.C.: American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists; 2004:150.
