Many women worry about how pregnancy and breastfeeding will affect how firm their breasts are and unfortunately it is this same worry that prevents women from breastfeeding altogether.
Myths about sagging
There has been a horrible myth circulating for some time now that breastfeeding alone will make your breasts sag, which is what spurs a lot of mothers to opt for formula feeding. I am going to explain in this article how you can keep your breasts firm following pregnancy and breastfeeding and what does actually make your breasts sag.
It is inevitable (unless you are quite small chested) that your breasts will sag at some point in life. That is because our breasts are not made up of muscle, but instead they comprise of fat and ligaments. Gravity will eventually have an affect and pull those ligaments down and make your breasts sag, so if you're aiming to avoid sagging altogether, you are fighting an uphill battle.
Wearing the right bra will go a long way
There are steps you can take during pregnancy to reduce how much they will sag. Making sure you wear a bra that fits correctly will provide your breasts with the support they need and reduce sagging. Make sure you have your chest measured using a professional bra measurement service at a department store such as Debenhams or Marks and Spencers. Both of these stores offer this service for free.
As well as buying a bra in the size that is suitable for you, buy one that is two sizes larger. This will accommodate you throughout your pregnancy and can be used when your chest increases in size.
It is vital that the sports bra you wear when exercising is of a good quality and the right size. Wearing a sports bra that holds you in place will stop your ligaments from stretching when you exercise, which in turn prevents sagging.
For those with a larger chest it is recommended that you buy a sleep bra. This will keep those ligaments in place at night, further reducing sagging.
Great natural firming creams will help
You should also consider trying a breast firming cream designed to help pre and post-natal breasts firm. Brands such as Mama Mio and Boo Boo Mummy produce great creams packed with natural ingredients that help firm and tone your breasts.
These creams are also designed to help soothe hot and tired breasts. Because of an increase in hormones and your milk ducts forming your breasts will most likely feel hot and uncomfortable during pregnancy. These creams will soothe them as well as reducing how much they sag.
Now for that Breast Feeding Myth
Many women incorrectly believe that breast feeding will lead to their breasts sagging.This stems from the most common form of sagging breasts: Breast Involution.
Breast involution occurs when the milk making system inside the breasts shrinks because it is not needed any more. Throughout your pregnancy your breasts will be developing new milk ducts and preparing themselves for breast feeding, your milk will eventually come in whether you intend to breast feed or not. If you choose not to breast feed after giving birth, breast involution will occur immediately. The WHO recommend that you continue to breastfeed exclusively up to 6 months of age and that you continue to provide breast milk up to two years of age for optimal infant development. Whether that is by breast feeding or pumping, that is another two years where breast involution will not occur. By breast feeding you actually see your breasts reduce gradually in size, as opposed to going from being fully engorged to having no milk at all. This gradual reduction in size will allow your ligaments to adapt.
So whilst you cannot prevent sagging altogether, you can reduce how much sagging you see quite dramatically.
L J McKeever is a natural pregnancy and child birth promoter, mum to one and expecting child number 2 (at the time of publication). She has developed a site for UK mums to be who want to experience a blissful, natural pregnancy and childbirth: http://www.maternitybliss.co.uk/
