Does Breast Feeding Change Breast Size?

Breast feeding is good for the child and you should consider proceeding with it, even for a short time, implants notwithstanding.  Your breasts will decrease in size when the pregnancy is over.  If you breast feed, it will, of course take a bit longer.  If the breasts suffer aesthetically because of the pregnancy, breast feeding plays only a small part in it.  There are surgical corrections for aesthetic changes that are unwanted after pregnancy.

Hi. 1) Studies have shown that it is NOT breast feeding that changes breast size and shape. The changes are caused by the pregnancy itself. Your breasts will shrink faster if you don't breast feed, but for the final shape and size , I don't think it makes a difference. So if you think you would like to breast feed, go ahead and do it. 2) What your breasts will look like after you are all done with pregnancy (with or without breast feeding) is really unpredictable. So enjoy your... more

Yes, the breast will get smaller faster if you do not breast feed or stop early.  It is hard to tell you what the final shape of the breast will be after they shrink back down.  Remember, breast feeding is good for the baby.

Breast feeding has many benefits to the baby as well as to the mother, so I would strongly encourage you to try breastfeeding. Having said that, I am not aware of any studies that would support quicker shrinkage of the breast whether or not you breast feed. I think that you will likely get pretty much the same final result either way.

Most definitely—pregnancy changes the breast in both shape and size. Obviously the breasts get larger as they begin to produce milk in preparation for the new baby. The degree to which the breast changes is variable and is different from person to person. Some women will have very large changes and others, smaller changes. After the pregnancy and all breast feeding have been finished, the breasts will cease to produce milk and often shrink to a smaller size than they were before... more

Dear Babymama, Congratulations! Look forward to enjoying your baby. The effect of breast feeding on your breasts is somewhat unpredictable. So, base the decision on the health benefits to your child and the effects on your lifestyle, not on the effect it will have on your breast appearance. Good luck!

This is an interesting question that has only recently been answered. Most of us have thought that nursing was a factor in the shape and size of the breast. A recent study looked at this and found that there were often real changes from pregnancy in shape and size of the breast but there really was no additional effect from nursing. Go figure.

The effects of pregnancy and breast-feeding on your breasts are unpredictable. Most mothers will experience as increase in size with pregnancy and breast-feeding as you might expect. Some experience a large change and some a smaller degree. However, once your deliver or stop breast-feeding anything can happen. Your breasts can shrink to nothing or can stay very large, or go back to its normalsize and shape. That is the reason why cosmetic breast surgery is delayed until all the changes... more