How to Prevent Breast Sagging after Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Are the breasts still sagging a few months after you stopped breastfeeding? Find out how to prevent breasts sagging after breastfeeding or pregnancy.
[wps_toc style=”default” title=”Article Overview” heading_levels=”2″ show_heirarchy=”no” bullet_spacing=”yes” ordered_list=”no”]
During pregnancy and breastfeeding, the breasts always increase in size. Breastfeeding is the definite cause of an increase in breast size. The breast size will increase depending on the amount of milk available and your breastfeeding patterns.
Want to know how to prevent breast sagging after breastfeeding? Read on.
The breasts significantly increase in size both in pregnancy and during the nursing period. The increased volume of milk leads to the stretching and contraction of the skin. After the breastfeeding period, the volume of milk in the breasts will reduce, hence leading to sagging.
Genetics and physics laws of stress and weight will determine how the skin will recover from sagging. However, there are some things that you can do to prevent breast sagging and maintain a youthful appearance after pregnancy.
Why Causes Breasts to Sag
1. Breast Sagging After Pregnancy
The cooper’s ligaments, which are rubber-like bands, hold your breasts to the muscles. These ligaments help to keep the chest into position.
Early on during the pregnancy, the ligaments begin to stretch. In the first trimester, women experience a rapid increase in breast size. The increase in the weight and size strain the ligaments, causing a slight stretch. This is what leads to sagging.
Once milk production starts, the milk duct increases in size. This makes the breasts larger and heavier. The weight strains the ligaments, causing further stretching.
With time, the ligaments lose their elasticity, just like a rubber band that has been stretched for a long time. Prolonged breastfeeding also leads to sagging of the breasts as the ligaments are also strained.
2. Age and Diet
Age and an unhealthy diet can also lead to premature sagging of the breasts.
Alcohol, nicotine, and sugar weaken the skin structure. If you take a lot of these in your diet, there are high chances of your breasts sagging prematurely.
From research, pregnant and breastfeeding women in their 30s have a higher risk of sagging breasts. With age, the skin loses its elasticity. Therefore, at this age, the loss will be higher.
How to Prevent Breast Sagging After Breastfeeding
Here are some tips you can follow to prevent the breasts from sagging after breastfeeding:
i) Wear a Supportive Bra
Wearing the right nursing or maternity bra during pregnancy or breastfeeding is important. The breasts are heavy during this time and have to be supported.
A good bra should fit well, be comfortable, and hold the breasts firmly in position. Make sure you get the correct bra size.
ii) Stick to a Good Diet
Taking a healthy diet will keep the skin healthy. Good diet also reduces the chances of getting obese. Increased fat storage due to eating unhealthy food could lead to an increase in the size of the bust.
iii) Drink a lot of water
When your body is well hydrated, the skin remains nourished and youthful. Water helps to prevent wrinkles and dehydration.
iv) Keep the skin moisturized
Moisturizing the skin prevents it from drying, and hence can deal better with the stretching and mass loss.
v) Exercise
Regular exercises help to maintain your skin glow and reduces the amount of fat in your body. This helps to cut off unnecessary weight.
Consult with your doctor to find out the recommended exercises that fit your situation. The exercises will help to prevent the breasts from sagging.
If you are new to exercises, start your weight loss journey slowly.
Exercises that Stop Breasts from Sagging
Cardio work is not enough to build and tone the muscles. To firm the excess skin around the chest, you need to engage in weight resistance training.
Join the gym.
Let your PT understand your problems and specific exercises.
However, keep in mind that breast sagging may never stop ultimately. The appearance of the breasts will improve, but the sagging will not be completely eliminated.
What to Do After Stopping Breastfeeding
After breastfeeding, there will be a noticeable decrease in the mass and size of your breasts. The bra that will fit you after breastfeeding may be of a completely different size. Therefore, you may want to get fitted by a professional.
A good bra fits well and will keep your breasts in place. The bra will provide maximum support and give you the comfort you desire.
[wps_separator style=”default” top=”yes” text=”Top” separator_color=”#ea0661″ link_color=”#db326a” size=”2″ margin=”15″]
[wps_icon_list icon=”hand-o-right” title=”Editor’s Recommended Articles” align=”left” color=”#dd00d2″ size=”50″]How to Stuff a Bra and Make it Look Real
How to Clean a Bra
What Kind of Bra to Wear While Breastfeeding[/wps_icon_list]