Busted! The Truth About Breastfeeding and Sagging Breasts
November 5, 2007 by Heidi Green | 4 questions or comments
credits: iStockphoto
“A lot of times, if a woman comes in for a breast lift or a breast augmentation, she’ll say, ‘I want to fix what breastfeeding did to my breasts,’ ” Rinker said.
Wondering if breastfeeding really was the culprit, Rinker and colleagues designed a study that looked at their patients’ medical history, body mass index, pre-pregnancy bra cup size, and smoking status.
- cigarette smoking
- pre-pregnancy bra cup size
- the number of pregnancies
Age and cigarette smoking both negatively affect elastin, a protein that gives skin its elastic appearance and supports the breast. And, while the amount of sagging seems to increase with each pregnancy, Rinker assures us that “breastfeeding does not worsen the effect.”
Rinker and colleagues recommend that “[e]xpectant mothers should be reassured that breastfeeding does not appear to have an adverse effect upon breast appearance.”
So, the next time a young woman you know worries about the perkiness of her bosom post-breastfeeding (or says she’ll use formula so that the shape of her breasts doesn’t change), you can let her in on the truth: It’s pregnancy that changes a woman’s breasts—NOT breastfeeding.
I dont smoke never have and after my breastfeeding my first child for 4 months my breast were empty bags when the milk dried up. I have at least 2 other friends who this happened to. Stop publishing lies.
Dear Tasha,
Please know that the data reported in this study has been replicated in numerous other studies. While smoking is among the factors that influence breast changes, it is not the only factor. All women experience changes in breast size and shape over time, but not all women smoke. Age and genes are key factors. One simply needs to observe elderly women to discern the impact of age, or a group of sisters to appreciate the impact of genes. Admittedly there are exceptions to the rule, as with all rules.
The data does not suggest that only women who smoke will experience breast changes. There are many factors (pre-pregnancy cup size, number of pregnancies, age, weight gain/loss) that contribute to breast changes, however, breastfeeding is not among them. The most significant factor is pregnancy-it’s hormonal effects on smooth muscle and the weight gain and loss that accompany it. Periodic weight gain and loss significantly alter breast size and shape, which should not be surprising, given that breast size and shape is a product of fat deposits. If a woman never gets pregnant and maintains a consistent weight throughout her life, her breast changes would be minimal until such time as age and genes become a factor. If a woman never gets pregnant but her weight cycles constantly in a wide range, her breasts will be in a constant state of flux.
The fact remains breastfeeding does not permanently alter breast size and shape. It serves only to hide the changes caused by pregnancy, at least until you stop breastfeeding, and then the changes become obvious, as you have indicated. Had you not breastfed your first child you would have experienced the same changes, albeit gradually, as you lost the weight you had gained during the pregnancy.
Thank you for allowing me to clarify the study results for the benefit of all our readers.
Warmly,
Amy Spangler, MN, RN, IBCLC
I understand data support that breastfeeding does not alter the appearance of the breast as a whole; however, I am curious to know whether breastfeeding may have a permanent effect on the appearance of the nipples. If yes, are there steps that can be done to minimize damage?
I am not aware of any data that suggest that breastfeeding has any permanent effect on the appearance of nipples. Because the nipples are highly vascular, they have an extraordinary ability to heal despite trauma, so it is unlikely that any damage caused by poor breastfeeding technique could result in permanent nipple(s) changes. More often when babies are positioned poorly and nipple damage occurs, it is quickly recognized. Once the positioning is adjusted, the nipples usually heal.