Fortunately, within a few months postpartum, most nipples return to their original appearance.
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.
Nipples, Veins, and Stretch Marks Will Lighten
But after you're done breastfeeding, she adds, your nipples, areolas, and Montgomery glands go back to their pre-breastfeeding state. Stretch marks will also lighten, though they won't ever disappear.
Again, blame it on your hormones: during pregnancy, you may notice your nipples grow larger and darken in color. Give them a few months after baby is born and they should return to normal.
Falling oestrogen levels at the menopause make breast tissue dehydrated and less elastic, so breasts can lose their rounded shape and begin to sag. The change in shape can leave you with nipples that point downwards.
In approximately 28–35 percent of female breasts, the nipples are flat or conical, and 10 percent have inverted nipples. Interestingly, the same person can have two different types of nipples. This is normal.
It is caused by tight connective tissue or other problems with the ductal system connected to the nipple. Although many people have inverted or retracted nipples since birth, they can also occur late in life. That is known as acquired nipple inversion or retraction.
You might notice that your nipples change as well. It's common for nipples to become smaller, and the area around them, called the areola, almost vanishes.
One lasting effect of breastfeeding is that your nipples might look droopy, or settle lower than they were before, after you stop breastfeeding. While you may not be entirely pleased with your new look, remember: You birthed and fed a baby! Your body is pretty cool, regardless of how it's changed.
Fortunately, within a few months postpartum, most nipples return to their original appearance.
Your nipples are very sensitive little organs! When they are stimulated either by touch, cold temperatures or sexual arousal, they harden (actually become erect) and part of that response is for the brown part (the areola) to shrink and wrinkle. It is kind of like a muscle contraction.
Genetics has the biggest role in determining the size, appearance, and color of the areola. Puberty, periods, and pregnancy can also change the appearance of the areola over time.
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.
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.
They may also grow as your breasts expand with pregnancy weight gain. However, your areolae should get smaller again after your body stops producing milk or as your breasts get smaller.
To find out if your baby is sucking only on your nipple, check what your nipple looks like when it comes out of your baby's mouth. Your nipple should not look flat or compressed. It should look round and long or the same shape as it was before the feeding. Get answers to common questions about breastfeeding and pain.
Montgomery glands
The darker area of skin around the nipple is called the areola. On the areola there are some little raised bumps. These are quite normal and are called Montgomery glands. They produce fluid to moisturise the nipple.
Breast development during puberty
2.1 Stage 1 This stage begins at about 8-12 years old, the nipples just begin to pop up, pink circle appears.
How are inverted nipples corrected? Individuals can naturally develop inverted nipples, or they can occur after breastfeeding or surgery. To correct inverted nipples, a series of specialized stitches are placed around the nipple to push them out and provide a stable platform. Scarring is minimal.
Use both hands on each side of breast to make a “sandwich”, to squeeze nipple and areola. Use hands to press in on breast like the way you hold a big sandwich to put in the mouth. Use a breast pump for several minutes to draw out the nipple. The suction from a pump will often cause the nipple to protrude more.
"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.
Dr. Blake says wearing a bra doesn't prevent your breasts from sagging and not wearing one doesn't cause your breasts to sag. “Wearing a bra doesn't affect the risk of breast sagging, or what is called 'breast ptosis,'” she says. It also won't impact the shape of your breasts.