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Original poster

Breastfeeding has ruined my breasts

79 replies

ChaiLatteLove · 29/12/2023 13:06

I've been exclusively breastfeeding my son until last month, when he switched to formula milk. I am in desperate need of some advice as my breasts have noticeably shrunk and become saggy—I'm not exaggerating. My breasts were naturally a size E, but now I barely fit into a B cup. Even my DH has pointed it out. I am looking for tips or suggestions, whether it's exercises, creams, or anything else that might help.

OP posts:
AdamRyan · 29/12/2023 13:07

They will come back, don't worry.
In the meantime gel bras are your friend.

AdamRyan · 29/12/2023 13:09

I was a 30 D before breastfeeding, absolutely humungous while feeding, a saggy 30C afterwards (like poor empty flesh bags on my chest) and now 10 years on I'm a 30 F

BoobyDazzler · 29/12/2023 13:09

Mine came back after a few months :)

JenniferJuniper80 · 29/12/2023 13:10

Give it time. I breastfed my 3 in succession. (No break between first baby and youngest)
My boobs looked like spaniels ears for a few years. But as soon as I put a few pounds on they filled out nicely.

Sadly my boobs are always the first place weight comes off of when I lose weight.

Trust me, they will improve, its just a fast process.
You've done a wonderful thing, now give your body time to recover.

JenniferJuniper80 · 29/12/2023 13:11

not a fast process.

OakleyStreetisnotinChelsea · 29/12/2023 13:11

I'm afraid it is pregnancy that changes your breasts not breastfeeding. All the changes that enable breastfeeding happen during pregnancy whether you intend to breastfeed or not.

Your breasts will change again as your body settles down again now you've stopped, they won't be quite so "empty" forever but they won't be what they were pre pregnancy.

shouldisay · 29/12/2023 13:11

They come back! I was a 34C while breast feeding, once I stopped they resembled empty peg bags and now I'm up to a 34E. Be patient.

Hibernatalie · 29/12/2023 13:12

You're in the period of time where milk cells are gone but it takes a while for the fat cells to come back. They go back to normal after a few months.

Ps. Your DH is really out of order mentioning it.

ImDuranDuran · 29/12/2023 13:13

Another whose came back after a year of EBF.

Funnily I was actually thinking about this in bed this morning as I'd suddenly noticed they looked half-decent again Grin

They weren't massive to begin with, but massive during, then saggy, now back to normal.

PuffyShirt · 29/12/2023 13:14

I think it’s down to lluck and you need to give it time.

Mine felt a bit empty when I stopped, but both times they recovered and have remained perky and full. I do have friends that have saggy boobs that never recovered and that was from pregnancy, not breastfeeding.

ObliviousCoalmine · 29/12/2023 13:15

I breastfed for 2.5 years. They do come back, it takes a while, like another 2.5 years! You never really regain the solidity they had pre-baby but some of the weight and fullness comes back.

Also, tell your husband to keep his opinions to himself unless he's taking you shopping for nice underwear for the interim period.

Ohnotyoutoo · 29/12/2023 13:16

I used to have breasts that I was proud of - 34C and pert. Then I breastfed two babies in a row with about a 4 month break in between. Took about 18 months but they returned to a better state. Now I'm pregnant again and they've never looked better 😂

Tralafala · 29/12/2023 13:19

I'm pretty excited to hear they at least partly recover! I thought mine were doomed!

2024BigWhoop · 29/12/2023 13:19

It can take a few years for the fat to re-distribute within the breasts following the cessation of breast feeding.

I breast fed for 6 years (two consecutive children, three years each) and by the end of it my breasts looked awful.

They were saggy, they felt empty….it was just awful and I hated them.

However, it’s been three years since I stopped breast feeding and over the last 12 months they seemed to start firming up a little and changing shape, and now they are AMAZING 😂😂😂

They are so voluptuous and bouncy - I love how they look now far more than I did before I started breast feeding.

Don’t lose hope OP but don’t expect their recovery process to be a quick one.

Friedtofuandbeans · 29/12/2023 13:23

Well this is depressing - mind never recovered at all. They shrunk away to a double a (previously a b) and never came back. My children are teens now so it’s been plenty long enough.
sorry op, I’m the harbinger of doom.

PotteringAlonggotkickedoutandhadtoreregister · 29/12/2023 13:24

I breastfed all of mine for between 18 months - 2.5 years and there was only a few months break in between - as others have said they will recover! Milk cells will go, fat cells return. All will be good 😊

suntannedsnowballs · 29/12/2023 13:24

Mine never recovered

I'm 33 and seriously considering surgery

KnowledgeableMomma · 29/12/2023 13:44

Mine never recovered, unfortunately. They were super saggy after breastfeeding and have stayed that way despite exercise (specifically exercises for the pectoral muscles). I did gain back a size after gaining weight years later but now they are just bigger hanging sacs :-(. My daughter is a teen now, for reference. If I had the money to get them fixed (at least to get them halfway back up to where they should be; I'm less concerned about size), I would!

Mumsgirls · 29/12/2023 14:10

Mine got the fat back. But they droop down instead of facing forward, never the same.

Original poster
ChaiLatteLove · 29/12/2023 14:11

Thanks for reassuring me. I guess all I can do is wait and watch for now. I hope I get them back. Perhaps a gel bra might be my only option as suggested. I was hoping some cream or certain exercise might help, but it seems that’s not the option. Thanks xx

OP posts:
FancyRat · 29/12/2023 14:27

OakleyStreetisnotinChelsea · 29/12/2023 13:11

I'm afraid it is pregnancy that changes your breasts not breastfeeding. All the changes that enable breastfeeding happen during pregnancy whether you intend to breastfeed or not.

Your breasts will change again as your body settles down again now you've stopped, they won't be quite so "empty" forever but they won't be what they were pre pregnancy.

Both breastfeeding and pregnancy will do it.

I made the mistake of allowing my breasts to get very full with milk (had to leave baby from 2 weeks). Then feeding and pumping at one to relive.

Cycles of engorgement and emptying, and baby sucking you dry will do this too.

FancyRat · 29/12/2023 14:29

Also another one waiting to return to normal Xmas Angry

Good luck op, but don't expect it to happen In a matter of weeks or months. It can take years or not happen at all unfortunately

PuffyShirt · 29/12/2023 15:36

ChaiLatteLove · 29/12/2023 14:11

Thanks for reassuring me. I guess all I can do is wait and watch for now. I hope I get them back. Perhaps a gel bra might be my only option as suggested. I was hoping some cream or certain exercise might help, but it seems that’s not the option. Thanks xx

I’m a great believer in bench pressing for strengthening pecs. I’m 52 and have no droop whatsoever. Some of it’s luck, but I think strong pecs helps a bit in avoiding the dreaded sag.

nrevgina · 29/12/2023 15:40

Mine didn't recover until peri menopause. I think that's the HRT. I've never been large of breast (A/B ), so thankfully no sagging, but now they're filling up again.

Poorlymumma · 29/12/2023 15:42

They will probably look the worst they'll be when you've only just stopped and then firm up again and improve over time. That's what happened to me.