Hi Mama,
The short answer is yes and no. For many women, their breasts and nipples go back to their size and color once they stop breastfeeding, but for some women, there’s no change in either the size of their breasts or the nipples’ colors. For some women, the size of their breasts decreases depending on the weight gain and loss, but the color of the nipple never goes back to the original color; rather, it only lightens a little after they’ve stopped breastfeeding.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding bring a lot of changes to your body. You must’ve seen in the movies quite often where a woman, who isn’t aware that she’s pregnant, feels up her chest because she notices a difference in the size.
Although the changes in size and color of the breast aren’t overnight, yes your breasts changes in size, shape, and even sensitivity.
During pregnancy, the changing levels of estrogen, progesterone, and prolactin lead to quite visible physical changes in the breast tissue. This will make your breasts increase in their cup size and even the under-bust size.
When you start breastfeeding, you might notice the nipple and the areola have become bigger in size and darker in color.
These changes are a way of your body adapting and preparing to breastfeed your child for the next upcoming months and will take place during the course of your pregnancy and isn’t related to whether or not you breastfeed later.
Do nipples go back to their original size and color?
Your breasts might increase 2 to 3 times their original size during breastfeeding. This is because hormonal changes will make the breast engorged with milk production and continue until you breastfeed.
Once you stop breastfeeding, your milk ducts are no longer filled with milk, and you might notice your breasts shrinking a little or tightening up. Will your boobs perk up again like before? Probably not. Will they sag forever?
Rather than sagging, I’ll say your breasts won’t have the same elasticity as before, so they might seem as though they’re sagging, but with the right supportive bra, there won’t be much noticeable difference.
The changes in your breasts and nipples after you’ve stopped breastfeeding depends on the following things:
- Your genetics
- Age
- Your original breast size
- Your weight gain and weight loss postpartum
- The number of pregnancies
- Whether you’re a smoker
Having said that, whether or not your nipples will go back to their original color is debatable because women are equally divided on either side of the debate.
Many women have witnessed changes in their nipples and breast shape who swear that their breasts and nipples have gone back to the way it was before pregnancy. But, on the other hand, many women have seen no difference even after years they have stopped breastfeeding?
So, what should we believe? Well, I’d say your body has gone through a lot of changes through the course of your pregnancy and postpartum. So, be proud of it, be it whatever way it is right now. Whether or not it’ll go back to the previous self will only be told by time, but don’t hold your breath on it.
I wouldn’t call women whose shape and size overall have gone back to the original size as lucky. Instead, consider yourself lucky to be able to be pregnant, to give birth to a beautiful baby, and to nourish your little one through your body- it is surely a miracle. So, love yourself and be proud of your body- it’s indeed beautiful.
FAQs
Does breast size matter in breastfeeding?
No. Breast size is irrelevant when it comes to how much milk you produce.
How can I prevent my breasts from sagging?
Improve your posture, wear a supportive bra, and focus on the targeted strength training or yoga.
What happens to your breasts if you don’t breastfeed?
Your breasts will automatically start to make milk in the first couple of days postpartum, and some milk will leak from your breasts. You might even feel sore and swollen, and this may happen even if you don’t breastfeed.
Takeaway
In my case, I haven’t noticed any changes that indicate that my breasts and nipples have gone back to their old shape, size, or color, and that might be because I’m still breastfeeding my 1-year-old, but on the other hand, I’m not also waiting for it to go back to the original shape or color as I’ve learned to accept my body the way it is today.
So, to conclude, there’s no guarantee whether your nipple color or your breast size will go back to its original form.
All you can do is start accepting and loving the changes your body has gone through and be proud of it.
Meanwhile, comment down below about the changes you noticed in your breast during pregnancy and postpartum.
