Will my boobs droop post-BF?

[TooImmature2BMum]

Okay, before I get started, I want to add a disclaimer that although I am a first-timer, I do fully intend to breastfeed no matter what happens to my boobs. I just want to be forewarned, and if there are any tips for avoiding boob droop, then forearmed.

So will they? I was a luscious D cup pre-pregnancy, am now an F and still growing (only 20+6). I have never failed the pencil test yet (I'm 27) and have a reputation among my friends for having Amazingly Perky Boobs. This sounds dreadfully vain, I know! All the same, it does worry me. Any information/tips gratefully received!

They won't necessarily drop, but I wouldn't throw away your pre-pregnancy bras... the size does go back to 'normal' :)

Agree with Loopy.

I bottlefed my first and breast fed the second. If they're going to change, they will regardless of breastfeeding or not.

I was also a 34DD before and went up to an F cup. I think it's the milk. Even if you dont breast feed, your milk still has to come in so will cause an increase in size for a few days before going back to normal and it seems that's what may do the damage.

I'd say mine aren't too different from before. They were maybe a little less full on top for a while after but they seemed to fill back up a few months later.

I'd just make sure you keep the well supported as much of the time as you can and if you are using and oils/stretchmark cream, rub it on boobs as well to keep your skin supple. :)

you have to think that both pg and bf will change your boobs - pg, as loopy & star say, sees them change as the hormones get them ready for bf, and then, when you bf, they're going to swell with milk, so will naturally be ' deflated' afterwards. It's a bugger, but hey, it's the price we pay for having another little human in our lives! :)
Good bra's, creams and oils, and making sure the baby doesn't pull on them as much as possible, should all help, but to be honest, that's easier said than done! My first two weren't too badly behaved with their feeding, but I didn't feed them for long - 2 and 4 months, but DS3 was a terror - biting, twisting, pulling, hitting, squishing, and generally doing the most damage - and I ended up feeding him for a year, so they're completely knackered now and am due to start feeding DC4 in a couple of months! I feel sorry for my poor boobies, they've had it tough! :)

Having also been about your age and with nice perky boobs pre dc I can agree with the pregnancy bit doing all the damage but I think bfing actually helped. I fed for 9 months (would've gone longer but dc had enough) and found my weight gain during pregnancy dropped off steadily when bfing then plateau'd at about 6 months when I started weaning.

The next 3 months as dc naturally cut down on milk as more food was consumed meant my boobs gradually reduced down to normal size and then when dc stopped I expressed, gradually reducing the frequency until I stopped.

I found the "spaniel's ear" look reported by my friends who stopped abruptedly at 6 months didn't happen to me. The were a bit less perky after i stopped but over the next 3 months when the last of the weight dropped off everything settled down and my boobs are not quite as they were but they almost are.

I haven't stopped BF so I can't help you there but I did go back to my pre-pregnancy size when DD was about 6 mo and found I could wear underwired bras again with no discomfort.

I also had big perky boobs and they have sagged a bit but I think I would still be OK wearing a 2 piece on the beach without people complaining! I've been BF for 2 years and it hasn't really made that much difference to my boobs. I notice it but that's because I am quite vain and not because there is a huge difference.

I did have a few people make rude comments about how saggy I would be after BF for so long so I just showed them this and then told them to sod off.

Yes, but they won't necessarily be not nice! My boobs gradually began to feel rather "empty", and the more weight I lost, obviously the smaller they got. But still very nice, thank you. After a second time, who knows - will let you know!

(also, I tried on a maternity top from the first time round, during this pg. The seam, which had previously sat underneath my boobs, now sat across them . Obviously my boobs are lower than before. Was horrified and quickly got rid of said top)

I am 28 weeks, previously a small but perfectly formed 34B, now 38C and mine have just started to drop a bit -still not quite failing the pencil test but time will tell. Sorry! Yes I think pregnancy will do it to you - breastfeeding or not! Plus I have done work caring for old people and they all have saggy boobs without fail whether they had kids/breastfed or not. So, gravity will get us all one day...

2Immature - you should namechange to AmazinglyPerkyBoobs [hgrin]

My best friend and I were talking yesterday (we're in our 40s with teenage children). We recalled a conversation we'd had as teenagers ourselves where we'd predicted what our boobs would look like when we were old. We'd decided that hers would be matronly ones she could tuck in her elasticated waistband and mine would be lift up flaps

Am not saying whether we were right but I do think that as I'm getting older mine may be developing a slow puncture.

Does it matter? Nah, not in the least. See, as you get older your eyesight goes too, so its all a bit of a blur in the mirror....

I fed for 2.5 years (7 month fully) and after weaning DD off the breast my cup size went down from D to C and yes - the the became droopy!

Oh dear :(

I don't want to end up with paper aeroplane tits waaaaaaaa

Agree with all other posts that it's the pregnancy that does the damage not nec the BF. In addition to well fitting bras an osteopath told me with my first pregnancy you should were support at night too - he said no support at night does the most damage. He recommended a well fitting crop top. Seem to remember Emma Jane maternity does them, still have mine, and you can use them for breastfeeding too when little one is born. (Can be much more comfy when milk comes in too.)
Good luck! After 2 kids I've found drooping is not my problem just complete LACK of boobs - have shrunk after each pregnancy. Not sure I'll have any left after this one

Some hope left, then! Have started slathering myself in cocoa butter after getting out of the bath, so perhaps that will help. I like the idea that gradually stopping bfeeding helps - I have about 8 months maternity leave and intend to wean before going back to work, but as you say, marchpane, at 6 months babies start eating actual food too so I should be able to gradually taper off.

Am doing the equivalent of putting my fingers in my ears and going I am not listening, I am not listening, littleElif and hobbitmama! Would rather believe that all will be as it was before. (I know. I'm delusional.)

My tip is not to panic if your breasts seem rather, errmm, deflated after you've stopped BFing. I fed DD until nearly 18 months, but only got my periods back around then. My never-exactly-massive breasts definitely looked a bit smaller than pre-pregnancy, BUT a couple of months later they were back to their perky selves

My theory is that it took a couple of regular periods for my body to know lay down fat where it used to be. Oh, and I carried on eating cake at the same level as when breastfeeding. I'm sure that helped!

Pregnancy does the damage as the ligaments that hold your boobs up soften and stretch (like all your other ligaments do when preggers) at the same time as your breasts are getting heavier. Hence the need for well-fitted, supportive bras.

My mate didn't BF any of her kids and it made no difference - she's still got the droop to prove she had them!

Mothercare do maternity sleep bras, which are dead unsexy but, as I keep telling my DH, are for keeping the boobs perky in the long run. They also help with the PAIN of sleeping braless in the first few months!

I'm now sleeping in a maternity sleep bra and a belly-band. Yes, I am a 24-7 sex goddess [hwink]

I've BF all mine, and my boobs now are the same as they were pre-babies.

Sadly, though, I've never passed the pencil test, and would probably fail it with a full loo roll :(