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AIBU?

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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:
AndThatWasNY · 29/12/2023 15:43

Mine went from an A cup to a C cup after BFing/pregnancy 3 kids. No sagging. Not bragging just suggesting might be other reasons?!

otherwayup · 29/12/2023 15:44

I breastfed both my dc for a considerable length of time and was basically feeding for 5 yrs!
They looked awful when I stopped but eventually got their fullness back and at 52 I have a really decent set of (small) boobs!

Your dh sounds like a dick. So insensitive to comment 🙁

Kirkeee · 29/12/2023 15:46

I didn’t know this was a thing! I thought they got bigger not smaller. I’m a 32 f and a size 10. Big boobs run in the family on my maternal side. I wouldn’t know how to dress with small breasts.

Maybe I shouldn’t get the reduction I was going to treat myself to after the sale of our house.

Kirkeee · 29/12/2023 15:46

What happens to them if you exclusively formula feed?

GotthroughChristmas · 29/12/2023 15:51

I never had large boobs - A cup - and 2 pregnancies and 2.5 years of breastfeeding ruined mine . Strangely putting on weight due to peri has finely given me decent boobs ! After wearing push up padded bras since teens I’m finally happy in ordinary bras

nrevgina · 29/12/2023 16:02

That's exactly what happened to me @GotthroughChristmas Though I suspect HRT played a part too.

PuffyShirt · 29/12/2023 16:05

Kirkeee · 29/12/2023 15:46

What happens to them if you exclusively formula feed?

Logic would say you’re at less risk, but it seems pregnancy alone wrecks the tits of many.

Mumoftwo1312 · 29/12/2023 16:08

I hope you told your dh off, I'd have given him the full dose of righteous rage if mine said that. You've grown and nourished his child! What a misogynistic oaf! I bet he's no Adonis himself!

But yeah they should hopefully go back to normal, mine did even before I stopped breastfeeding, within 2y after the birth. Always slightly larger than pre-pregnancy but got their shape and colouring back to normal.

Coco9910 · 29/12/2023 16:17

Reading this thread has given me hope! I breastfed my little one for 9 months and they were small beforehand, but now they are just flat and lifeless! Good to know there’s a chance they will come back to life one day 😅

toomanyleggings · 29/12/2023 16:25

Mine didn’t recover. I had surgery but I REALLY regret it. Mine were done about 5 years ago and then the implants recalled because of a link to cancer. Told to just check my breasts regularly. That’s a bit difficult when you have implants. I really wouldn’t recommend surgery. Just embrace what you have and your health.

whengodwasarabbit1 · 29/12/2023 16:27

I remember crying in the bath 6 months after breastfeeding as my boots were so empty and shrivelled. Another 6 months on and they went back to being OK. Not perfect, but I like them again now. Give it time

MyBigFatGreekSalad · 29/12/2023 16:28

They come back (for the most part) I was horrified by my post breastfeeding boobs😂 and even considered breast implants which I've never considered before!

Luckily my partner made me see sense and wait it out a bit, then they started to look more full a few months later.

Floralsofa · 29/12/2023 16:31

Trust me - they'll improve!

PortiaWithNoBreaks · 29/12/2023 16:34

Don’t panic. I was 32 C before my pregnancies and 32E after once everything settled back down.

MsChatterbox · 29/12/2023 16:34

I'm about 1.5 years from stopping and I keep noticing how they are feeling heavier and heavier. They were really like pancakes when I first stopped.

mrssunshinexxx · 29/12/2023 16:34

It's not BF, it's pregnancy that's done it! I felt similar to you BF for nearly 4 years no breaks. They were grim initially but have plumped up over about 8 months

WeeOrcadian · 29/12/2023 16:40

This is due to pregnancy, not BF

They'll make a comeback though, give yourself time

ClottedCreamScone · 29/12/2023 16:43

They’ll go back to normal(ish).

How long were you breastfeeding? I BF for 16 months during which time they were much bigger than normal, then when I stopped they were really deflated and saggy looking. It took about a year for them to go back to basically normal (a bit saggier but more or less fine).

In the meantime, get measured for decent bras.

TheGoogleMum · 29/12/2023 16:44

I didn't really breastfeed DD but mine still went saggy and flat for a bit. They did recover though it just takes a few months!

itsmyp4rty · 29/12/2023 16:48

I was a B cup before, looked like I'd had a boob job when my milk came in and 18 years later they barely fill an A cup. Never came back. On the bright side I don't have to wear a bra and there's nothing to droop.

Original poster
ChaiLatteLove · 29/12/2023 16:49

@ClottedCreamScone I didn't breastfeed that long. I breastfed him for 11 months, and as I'm planning to go back to work after my maternity leave, I need to transition to bottle feeding

OP posts:
Original poster
ChaiLatteLove · 29/12/2023 16:52

toomanyleggings · 29/12/2023 16:25

Mine didn’t recover. I had surgery but I REALLY regret it. Mine were done about 5 years ago and then the implants recalled because of a link to cancer. Told to just check my breasts regularly. That’s a bit difficult when you have implants. I really wouldn’t recommend surgery. Just embrace what you have and your health.

Thanks for the advice. I think surgery would be too far-fetched; I don't think I will go for that, at least not now. But, as they say, never say never.

OP posts:
janfebmarchapril · 29/12/2023 17:00

Mine were like this after feeding. Like deflated balloons. Back to normal now... until I feed my next one!

GotthroughChristmas · 29/12/2023 18:33

PuffyShirt · 29/12/2023 16:05

Logic would say you’re at less risk, but it seems pregnancy alone wrecks the tits of many.

Show quote history

Sorry - somehow quoted wrong post

Dogman · 29/12/2023 18:37

Mine went from tennis balls pre pregnancy to beach balls during pregnancy and breastfeeding and balls in socks after for a good while. They’ve improved since.

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