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Boobs if breastfeed

  • 17-01-2010 3:13pm
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,908 ✭✭✭


    hi there

    can i just ask a quickie, if you breastfeed (completely or in tandem with bottle) will it have an adverse affect on your boobs when you have finished breastfeeding?

    thanks so much.


Comments

  • Moderators, Arts Moderators Posts: 17,231 Mod ✭✭✭✭Das Kitty


    mozattack wrote: »
    hi there

    can i just ask a quickie, if you breastfeed (completely or in tandem with bottle) will it have an adverse affect on your boobs when you have finished breastfeeding?

    thanks so much.

    Your boobs will lose fullness from the swelling that happens during and after pregnancy regardless of whether the milk gets used or not. There might be a slightly more pronounced effect if you decide to breastfeed, but if it's going to happen it's the pregnancy that does most of the altering. That said everyone's body reacts differently and there might be hardly any change to fullness in some women. Pot luck really!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,937 ✭✭✭implausible


    I was wondering the same! But my question is not about the size/fullness - will they get saggier and do your nipples change? Obviously, everyone is different, but some of the experienced moms' stories would be useful!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 186 ✭✭lalalulu


    Hi.. I didn't breastfeed but my breasts did lose firmness and fullness so definitely don't think it matters if you breastfeed or not. Mine have not become saggy and i don't have stretchmark's, i think it just depend's on the person and how your body reacts to pregnancy. No change in nipples for me :)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 37,485 ✭✭✭✭Khannie


    Your nipples definitely change temporarily if you're breastfeeding, but they go back to the way they were if memory serves. As for permanent change: They can grow a LOT and incredibly quickly (my mrs went up like 2 or 3 cup sizes in about 24 hours!). It's important to keep the skin supple to avoid any stretching occuring. Bio oil really does help.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 25 twomaddogs


    I breastfed for 13 months and mine didn't change much at all that I noticed. No stretch marks at all - they went bigger during BF but went back down to normal size once my daughter was only on one or two feeds a day.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,921 ✭✭✭silja


    I breastfed twins for 6 months and afterwards, my breasts went back to exactly hiow thwy were before- no loss of firmness, no extra saggyness. I miss my D cup while breastfeeding then, I am back to a small B :P


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 23,862 ✭✭✭✭January


    Khannie wrote: »
    Your nipples definitely change temporarily if you're breastfeeding, but they go back to the way they were if memory serves. As for permanent change: They can grow a LOT and incredibly quickly (my mrs went up like 2 or 3 cup sizes in about 24 hours!). It's important to keep the skin supple to avoid any stretching occuring. Bio oil really does help.

    Not in my experience! Any change has been permanent. Especially the nipples. But they changed during pregnancy (got bigger and darker) and I only breastfed for a few days. I have not lost any fullness from my breasts though they are still the same as before I had my first child.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,908 ✭✭✭mozattack


    thanks so much for all of your replies. i was actually wondering about the whole sagging thing too and i didn't know you could get stretch marks on your breast too! i was only using the bio oil on my bump.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 951 ✭✭✭tomcollins97


    mozattack wrote: »
    hi there

    can i just ask a quickie, if you breastfeed (completely or in tandem with bottle) will it have an adverse affect on your boobs when you have finished breastfeeding?

    thanks so much.

    Obviously, yes.

    Don't feeel under pressure to breastfeed if you are not into it.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,242 ✭✭✭mariaf24


    Khannie wrote: »
    Your nipples definitely change temporarily if you're breastfeeding, but they go back to the way they were if memory serves. As for permanent change: They can grow a LOT and incredibly quickly (my mrs went up like 2 or 3 cup sizes in about 24 hours!). It's important to keep the skin supple to avoid any stretching occuring. Bio oil really does help.

    Am i the only one completely uncomfortable with a man replying to a question like this?


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  • Moderators, Arts Moderators Posts: 17,231 Mod ✭✭✭✭Das Kitty


    mariaf24 wrote: »
    Am i the only one completely uncomfortable with a man replying to a question like this?

    Why does it make you uncomfortable? It's a good, valid, non sleazy reply. Why does the gender of the poster matter?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 23,862 ✭✭✭✭January


    mariaf24 wrote: »
    Am i the only one completely uncomfortable with a man replying to a question like this?

    Plus he's a parent to three children so has obviously seen his wife going through these changes on each pregnancy and therefore has a valid reply to a question like this...


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,242 ✭✭✭mariaf24


    Ok point taken girls,just my opinion.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 375 ✭✭tootired


    I think it all depends on your cup size before you got pregnant. If you're an A-B there doesn't seem to be much difference. If you're a C upwards I think there is a danger of sagging and stretch marks, nipples do change but in my experience not too much and do go back to what they were....almost. About a year after finishing breasfeeding I felt my breasts had gone back to normal, with some slight sagging(miond you this could just be down to me getting older!)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 37,485 ✭✭✭✭Khannie


    mariaf24 wrote: »
    Ok point taken girls,just my opinion.

    Sorry. Didn't mean to upset you. :)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,170 ✭✭✭Grawns


    I noticed that as I've cut back on feeds since she turned one 2 weeks ago my breasts are shrinking back to their c- cup. They look pretty much the same as before I guess. No stretchmarks but neither did my Mother.
    My husband has stretchmarks on his back from his teenage years when he grew a load in a year. All down to genetics I guess.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,937 ✭✭✭implausible


    Oh please God, I hope they shrink! I intend breastfeeding anyway for the good of the babs. A reduction would be the icing on the cake;)


  • Moderators, Arts Moderators Posts: 17,231 Mod ✭✭✭✭Das Kitty


    My bewbs look phenomonal at the moment, such a shame they're so achey. ;). I've noticed my nipples now go back to normal after a feed. They did look bananas for a while to begin with.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,170 ✭✭✭Grawns


    deemark wrote: »
    Oh please God, I hope they shrink! I intend breastfeeding anyway for the good of the babs. A reduction would be the icing on the cake;)

    Wait until you get a load of them when your milk comes in. I felt like Jordan and I'm normally a c. Went to a double d overnight! :eek:


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,937 ✭✭✭implausible


    Grawns wrote: »
    Wait until you get a load of them when your milk comes in. I felt like Jordan and I'm normally a c. Went to a double d overnight! :eek:

    Oh my god :eek: I'm going to need scaffolding, I'm a G :eek:


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,458 ✭✭✭CathyMoran


    deemark wrote: »
    Oh my god :eek: I'm going to need scaffolding, I'm a G :eek:
    I was an E/F so I feel your pain...I dont want to know how big they are now (oddly enough hubby is very happy).


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 812 ✭✭✭hacked


    just out of curiosity...how much on average do your boobs grow by once the milk comes in? I bought 2 nursing bras in a D cup (theres a little room to grow!) there last week, but they are quite expensive, and I don't want to go out and buy more if I'm going to need to go up a size!
    It's just making washing in the present quite difficult.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,170 ✭✭✭Grawns


    I wouldn't buy anymore until at least 2 weeks after the birth. They should have settled by then and you can get measured again. Return the ones you bought if possible as they may not fit. I got by with extra lrg sports bra for the first few weeks. You're going to be at home in your jammies anyway so fancy nursing bras not necessary.

    Am feeling like an expert after 1 year of breastfeeding. Do I get a medal? :)

    Most important advice is buy a good breastfeeding book. The nurses in the hospital are busy and not very knowlegable. I had no help from them but never got cracked nipples cause I had a good book to give me confidence. Also feed lying down on your side as it's easy and comfortable for you both.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 157 ✭✭fi1979


    Grawns wrote: »
    Most important advice is buy a good breastfeeding book. The nurses in the hospital are busy and not very knowlegable. I had no help from them but never got cracked nipples cause I had a good book to give me confidence. Also feed lying down on your side as it's easy and comfortable for you both.

    Hi grawns, what book would you recommend? I hadn't thought any book would be as beneficial as all that.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,170 ✭✭✭Grawns


    This was leant to me by a friend
    http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bestfeeding-How-Breastfeed-Your-Baby/dp/1587611953

    It's written by breastfeeding nazi's but it's very useful and shows you how in a step by step guide. It answers all your questions and reassures you as to what is normal and how to cope with problems. For instance in my case Bridget was feeding well but was getting jaundiced and sleeping a lot as beastfed babies often do. They have to work hard to stimulate the milk and jaundice makes them tired. By the time the nurses realized and wanted to give her a bottle I was able to knowledgably demand a medela breast pump, express and the nurses were able to cup feed her _ no effort on her part. She perked right up and was able to leave hospital on day 4. ( She was an elective section).

    If I had been relying on the nurses to help me establish breastfeeding I would have left hosp with my nipples and confidence in tatters and probably would have ended up bottlefeeding. Knowledge is power!

    The photos in my copy were from the 70's or something so you can have a right giggle too,


  • Moderators, Arts Moderators Posts: 17,231 Mod ✭✭✭✭Das Kitty


    That's the book I had Grawns. I found it great but I didn't find breastfeeding straightforward even with the book and the help of the excellent midwives and lactation consultants in UCHG. It's a brill hospital if you are planning on breastfeeding.

    The only problem I had with the book is that having a section it was hard to feed and read at the same time and although I'd read it twice during pregnancy I was lying there a lot wondering about something and physically couldn't look it up! I would have given up if it wasn't for one of the lactation consultants talking me down off the figurative ledge!

    We still find it difficult tbh, some mums and babies learn it very quickly and intuitively and others really have to work and work at it.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,170 ✭✭✭Grawns


    Glad you stuck with it and had help at hand. Wasn't my experience. In fact the nurse who said she would be helping me to establish breastfeeding ( she offered) never came back. Total mad wagon :eek: I waited several hours and said right lets just get on with it.

    My husband was bewildered but I had my book and I always fed lying down so I could have a look at it if needed. The book gave me the confidence to believe I could do it and that it was easy and natural. Worked out that way for me but it was still an overpowering task especially on top of dealing with the miracle of a baby.


  • Moderators, Arts Moderators Posts: 17,231 Mod ✭✭✭✭Das Kitty


    I had complete confidence too, until the third night when all he wanted to do was feed and got frustrated and vocal that it wasn't flowing like he wanted it to! It was really when I was reassured that I wasn't supposed to be able to get it exactly right straight away and that me and James had to learn to make it work together that I felt freed. I was feeling so guilty that I couldn't satisfy him and that he was getting jaundiced. In a lot of ways it was my confidence to begin with that went against me. Once I accepted that there is a learning curve I was able to take the time to practice without getting frustrated with myself. James was very sensitive to positioning when he was first born, literally a couple of cms either way and he'd be out of whack. Thankfully he's more relaxed about positioning now as he's gaining weight like mad and I wouldn't be able to hold him like I used to have to!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 812 ✭✭✭hacked


    thanks Grawns. Think I'm passed the point of returning the bra's. I needed new ones anyway as i had gone up 4 sizes, and was still squeezing into the ld ones!! :eek:
    We'll see how it goes!


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,170 ✭✭✭Grawns


    I really need to buy some new bras as all my nursing bras are now too big and all my nice 34c ( and I have a lot of bras) are too small :(. I'd say I'm a 36c now. Feck it!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,124 ✭✭✭wolfpawnat


    sorry OP, boobs lose firmness and can get all covered in stretch marks regardless of your choice of feeding methods.

    My breasts did get a bit saggy, but I have never heard of it altering your nipples on the long term. There can be chapped nipples and the likes but all of those heal quickly enough.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 179 ✭✭Swizzles


    Hey
    Quick question ..Im 20 weeks gone and woke up his morning with leakage marks ..through two tops...this ever happen anyone else this early??


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 166,026 ✭✭✭✭LegacyUser


    Hi Swizzles,

    The same thing happened with me. It really freaked me out at first because it was the first really big sign that my body was changing beyond my control. But yeah, my first bit of pre-milk started leaking at around 18 weeks, and continued until the birth. All the midwives took it to mean I'd have no problems with milk supply after the birth.

    xx Popel


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