The size of your areolae and nipples may change while you're pregnant or breastfeeding because of the hormones that produce breast milk. They may also grow as your breasts expand with pregnancy weight gain.
You can expect your nipples to return to their original size and color (likely lighter and smaller than when you were breastfeeding) and extra veins should disappear, says Kasper. All those stretch marks, however, are yours to keep, she adds.
Once your little one has weaned, your nipples and breasts may return to their previous size, and your body will absorb the remaining milk. Body weight is another factor that influences whether your breasts will return to their pre-breastfeeding size.
The skin on and around your nipple (areola) was intended to be stretched by breastfeeding. The nipple stretching is actually a good thing! Moms with truly inverted nipples or skin that is less elastic, are at an increased likelihood to experience issues with low milk supply, soreness, and nipple discomfort.
The good news is that once breastfeeding has ended, the Montgomery glands usually shrink back down, and the texture of the areola returns to its pre-pregnancy state.
The size of your areolae and nipples may change while you're pregnant or breastfeeding because of the hormones that produce breast milk. They may also grow as your breasts expand with pregnancy weight gain.
With your baby's head tilted back and chin up, lift him or her to touch your nipple. The nipple should rest just above the baby's upper lip. Wait for your baby to open very wide, then "scoop" the breast by placing the lower jaw on first. Now tip your baby's head forward and place the upper jaw well behind your nipple.
Nipples often expand while pumping, so it is very important to evaluate the nipple throughout the session.
Some women notice that they become aroused during breastfeeding. Although this sensation is similar to a sexual response, it is not sexually driven. It is your body's way of preparing the breast for breastfeeding. Talk with your partner about your feelings, concerns, and expectations.
Stimulating, caressing or simply holding breasts sends nerve signals to the brain, which trigger the release of the 'cuddle hormone' called oxytocin, a neurochemical secreted by the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland in the brain.
Once breastfeeding stops, the milk-making cells in your breasts will gradually shrink, making them smaller in size. Some women say their breasts look or feel empty at this stage. As time passes, fat cells will be laid down again in place of milk-making cells, and you might find your breasts regain some fullness.
If this is you, rest assured, it's not just your imagination: Most women don't get as much milk from a breast pump as their babies do from nursing. Women's bodies respond differently to babies versus pumps, and it can have a huge impact on your ability to nurse long term.
Healthy infants who breastfeed effectively are often thought to be more efficient than the expression of milk either by hand or with an electric breast pump. Breastfed infants have been shown to remove 50% of the total volume of milk removed at a breastfeed in the first 2 min and 80% in 4 min [31].
Increase pumping frequency
Pumping more often can help stimulate breasts to produce more milk. Moms can try pumping both breasts for 15 minutes every two hours for 48-72 hours. Then moms can return to their normal pumping routine. Pumping for longer than 30 minutes may not be beneficial.
Signs of a Poor Breastfeeding Latch
Your child is sucking in their cheeks as they try to breastfeed. Your baby does not have their lips out like a fish. You can see that they have their lips tucked in and under, instead. You can hear a clicking or smacking noises as your little one tries to suck.
The latch is comfortable and pain free. Your baby's chest and stomach rest against your body, so that baby's head is straight, not turned to the side. Your baby's chin touches your breast. Your baby's mouth opens wide around your breast, not just the nipple.
As your baby grows and develops, they will naturally become more efficient at breastfeeding. After six weeks, babies will typically become more settled in between feeds and they may seem to fall into a more predictable natural routine.
When the gravity pulls the breasts down, those ligaments and the skin can stretch, and so the breast then droops. This depends on the elasticity of your skin and of your ligaments, as determined by your genes and diet, and also on normal aging processes.
The milk let-down sensation (aka “milk ejection reflex”) is often experienced as a tingling or a prickly pins-and-needles kind of feeling. But for some, the sensation is felt deep in the breasts and can hurt or be achy, especially when milk production is in overdrive.
If you're concerned that breastfeeding is the culprit for causing saggy boobs, you can take a breath out because research shows that breastfeeding does not cause your breasts to sag (happy dance!)
"If you don't wear a bra, your breasts will sag," says Dr. Ross. "If there's a lack of proper, long-term support, breast tissue will stretch and become saggy, regardless of breast size." Still, both experts agree that multiple factors play into if and when sagging (technical term: "ptosis") occurs, bra-wearing aside.
If your bra is too tight, it could cause plugged milk ducts, mastitis or a decrease in your milk supply. Take a new measurement or have a bra specialist at your favorite lingerie or maternity store do it for you. They can also help with a bra fitting and help you choose the right bra.
Your breast milk will dry up on its own, and it will take some time, but the best way to aid in that process of suppressing breast milk is to limit how much milk you express. That's because every time you release or express any milk, it sends a signal to your body that you're still nursing.