Can Breastfeeding Cause the Areola to Change Shape?

Thanks for the question - You're correct that being pregnant can cause your breasts to enlarge. This can put significant stretch on the Cooper's ligaments (the major supporting elements of the breasts) and the skin. These changes of shape can include the areola. This typically can lead to areolas that are larger than pre-pregnancy. Hormonal changes can also lead to darkening of the areola which can be permanent. I hope this helps.

Breast feeding and pregnancy typically change the size and shape of the areola as well as the nipples and breast.

Size, color, and shape of the areola can all be changed during pregnancy and breast feeding.  Most plastic surgeons would wait 3 to 6 months after breast feeding to do anything surgically to address the issues. 

Always best to see your board certified plastic surgeon and together come up with a plan to meet your goals.

Many of the hormones released during pregnancy cause the areola to darken and enlarge. Some people believe this is an evolutionary adaptation that allows the baby to identify and latch on to the nipple. I don't have the article handy but I recall being told that the average areola prior to pregnancy measures approximately 35mm in diameter whereas it measures 42mm afterwards.

Contrary to popular belief, breast feeding does not significantly alter your breast or areolar size/shape. It's pregnancy itself that can alter breast size and shape, this includes the areolas. Once you're done having children, it's appropriate to consider an areolar reduction or mastopexy to restore your breast shape to your pre-pregnancy condition. Some patients also need breast implants to achieve the look they desire as pregnancy and breast feeding can cause loss of volume/size of their breasts.