Berkeley Parents Network: Reduction in Bra Size after Weaning

Berkeley Parents Network

Reduction in Bra Size after Weaning

The Parents Network > Advice > Advice about Breastfeeding > Reduction in Bra Size after Weaning

Aug 1999

Has any one experienced quite significant reduction in bra size after child birth (also one-year of breastfeeding in my case)? (This is in no way to speak against breastfeeding!) Is there anything effective and safe to do to get back to the original size? Thanks.

I'm afraid that I can offer nothing more constructive than "wait and see." I nursed for a year full-time and a few months more part-time, and we have just recently weaned completely. I went from a solid B cup pre-pregnancy and delivery, with which I was quite content, to a C while nursing, to something noticeably dinkier during and post-weaning. I have, however, resisted investing in new bras, since it appears that over time I am regaining at least some of the lost bosom. The poster did not mention how long ago she gave up nursing, but she might try just sitting tight for a bit and seeing what happens.

Yes, this is a common occurrence. I have heard it explained as follows: when you are younger, your body is in a state of readiness for pregnancy and nursing, and so keeps a certain amount of tissue around "just in case we need it". When you get pregnant, of course, your body gears up for nursing in a big way, and your breasts usually get larger (sometimes *much* larger!). But when you are done nursing, your body no longer needs to carry around extra stuff, because it *knows* exactly what you will need for nursing, should you ever get pregnant again. So your breasts can be *smaller* after nursing (or even if you don't nurse). And of course the whole process will also cause your breasts to lose firmness as well (think about a knit skirt that gets all stretched out--it's never going to be as springy and tight as it used to be!), which can make them ride lower on your body, spread out more, and look smaller. It's one of those dirty little secrets that they don't tell you before you get pregnant. Unfortunately, I don't know of anything to do about it. Perhaps someone else on the list will have ideas other than implants.

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