Does expressing ruin your boobs?

[PixieCake]

Hi all,

Just a general question please.

Is it the breastfeeding that can leave you with droopy boobs, or is it the pregnancy?

Would the same thing happened to someone who expressed milk but didn't actually have the baby suckle?

Everyone I ask jumps straight into the 'breast is best' argument (and I understand why), but this is not what I'm asking.

Thank you

The pregnancy does it. It is during the pregnancy that your breasts fully mature basically, they will produce milk even if you don't bf, just not for as long.

Thanks. So it doesn't make a difference to your boobs long term if you bf or not then?

I've been told it's pregnancy as well. Friends who have FF their babies are still in shock over their boobs!

But surely the longer you have a baby tugging on them the worse shape they will become?
Or maybe not?

It seems not although I would think that it takes them a while to recover after feeding for a long time, remains to be seen in my case though, was still producing milk when I got pg with dc2 and I'm still bf!

it is the pregnancy not the feeding.......
Many boobs shrink a little after pregnancy.
This doesn't happen for some people though, or those that retain those additional pregnancy pounds.
Your whole body shape changes slightly after pregnancy in many cases too.

So, just to get this straight:

People who say they don't want to bf because they don't want to ruin their boobs are talking complete rubbish?

Yup. Though if they worry about their breasts they probably have other reasons but don't want to say. It is a very personal thing and I can understand feeling scared about it.

Nursing not behind saggy breasts