It’s common for women’s breasts to grow larger during pregnancy. This is due to hormonal changes that prepare the breasts for breastfeeding. Breast changes usually start around the fourth week of pregnancy, though some women may notice them sooner. The areola (the circle around the nipple) also darkens and enlarges. By the end of pregnancy, the breasts may have increased by one or more cup sizes.
After delivery, the breasts remain larger while a woman is breastfeeding. They’ll gradually return to their pre-pregnancy size after breastfeeding ends. However, it’s also common for breasts to remain slightly larger after pregnancy.
Breast Changes During Pregnancy
Breast growth during pregnancy is caused by rising levels of the hormones estrogen, progesterone, prolactin, and human placental lactogen (HPL). Here’s a more in-depth look at how pregnancy hormones stimulate breast changes:
Estrogen – Causes growth of the ductal system that will carry milk to the nipple. Estrogen levels rise steadily during pregnancy.
Progesterone – Works together with estrogen to promote ductal growth. Also initiates development of the mammary (milk) glands.
Prolactin – Levels remain low until late pregnancy when the body gets ready for milk production and breastfeeding.
Human placental lactogen (HPL) – HPL is only present during pregnancy. It plays a major role in breast growth by promoting ductal growth and milk gland development.
In addition to hormone changes, increased blood supply to the breasts makes them feel fuller and more tender. The breasts may feel swollen, tingly, or sore as they grow larger. Rapid growth can cause stretch marks on the breasts, though these will gradually fade after pregnancy.
Breast Size During Pregnancy
The average breast growth during pregnancy is 1-2 cup sizes. However, this varies quite a bit between women. For example:
– Some women go up only a half size.
– Others increase by 3 or more cup sizes.
– Breast growth often occurs unevenly between breasts. It’s common for them to end up different sizes.
Breast size depends on:
– Original breast size – Women who start with a smaller bust tend to gain more volume.
– Age – Younger women’s breast tissue tends to be denser. This allows more expansion.
– Genetics – Breast size is inherited, so pregnancy breast changes often follow the pattern of close female relatives.
– Weight gain – Heavier women may experience greater breast size increases.
When Breast Growth Begins
Most women start noticing breast changes around 4-6 weeks of pregnancy. However, the timing varies:
– Some see changes right after conception.
– For others, it takes several weeks longer.
If breast changes haven’t started by the 2nd trimester, mention it to your doctor. Delayed breast growth could indicate an issue with hormones or milk duct development.
Here’s a typical timeline for pregnancy breast development:
4-6 weeks – Tingling, soreness, increased cup size
8-16 weeks – Noticeable growth, breast buds forming
16-24 weeks – Continued enlargement, areolas darken
28-32 weeks – Slows down as milk glands mature
32-40 weeks – Final phase of growth before milk comes in
Breast Changes After Pregnancy
After delivery, the breasts stay enlarged while producing milk for breastfeeding. Once nursing ends, most — but not all — of the pregnancy-related size increase reverses. Here’s what moms can expect:
While Breastfeeding
Breasts remain 1-2 cups bigger on average while actively nursing. A few factors affect size during lactation:
– Milk supply – The more milk produced, the larger the breasts.
– Breastfeeding duration – Breasts stay bigger as long as a woman nurses her baby.
– Weaning – Gradual weaning causes slower shrinking. Quick weaning leads to faster loss of size.
After Weaning
Once breastfeeding has completely stopped, the breasts will deflate and start reverting towards their pre-pregnancy appearance. However, post-weaning changes vary:
– Most women lose 1 cup size or less.
– One study found the average decrease was 150-200 ml (5-7 oz) per breast.
– Around 1 in 3 women experience no noticeable breast shrinkage after weaning.
– Another 1 in 3 end up with breasts at least 1 cup size larger than before pregnancy.
Post-weaning breast size depends on:
– Age – Younger women’s breast tissue tends to regain shape better.
– Genetics – Your mom or sisters can give clues about what to expect long-term.
– Weight loss – Losing pregnancy weight can help breasts return to their former size.
– Breastfeeding duration – The longer babies nurse, the more permanent enlargement becomes.
Long-Term Changes
For most women, the breasts revert close to their pre-pregnancy size within 3-6 months after breastfeeding ends. However, it’s also common for subtle enlargement to remain long-term.
Research shows the average long-term increase after pregnancy/breastfeeding is:
– 1/4 cup size for women originally AA-B cup
– 1/3 cup size for C cups
– 1/2 cup size for D cups
– 2/3 cup size for DD+ cups
Post-pregnancy breast droopiness or sagging can also persist. This is especially true after multiple pregnancies.
Reasons for Permanent Enlargement After Pregnancy
Why do many women end up with slightly larger breasts after childbearing years? Here are the main factors:
– Hormones – Pregnancy causes surges in estrogen, progesterone, HPL and prolactin. This stimulates glandular tissue growth that doesn’t always reverse.
– Milk glands – The mammary glands enlarge and then don’t return to their original size.
– Fatty tissue – Increased fat deposits often remain in the breasts after nursing ceases.
– Cooper’s ligaments – Stretching of these suspensory ligaments allows breasts to sag if they don’t retract.
– Skin – Breast skin may lose elasticity after being stretched for months or years.
Age and Breast Changes
Younger moms have an advantage when it comes to breast shrinkage after weaning. In your 20s and 30s, breast tissue is still dense and elastic. This allows the breasts to retract more completely to their pre-baby shape.
In contrast, women over 40 have less glandular tissue. Their breasts consist mostly of fat. So permanent expansion caused by increased fat deposits is more likely after pregnancy.
Impact of Breastfeeding Duration
Research clearly shows that breastfeeding longer results in higher likelihood of subtle enlargement remaining long-term.
For example, one study found:
– Women who breastfed for 0-3 months had average enlargement of 57 ml per breast.
– Those who breastfed 9-12 months enlarged by an average of 127 ml.
So the longer you breastfeed, the more lasting size increase you can expect. This supports waiting at least 3 months before weaning if you want maximum shrinkage.
Do Breasts Return to Exactly the Same Size?
It’s rare for breasts to revert to exactly the same cup size and shape they were pre-pregnancy. However, subtle long-term enlargement doesn’t mean you’ll need bigger bras long-term. Here’s why:
– Bras allow adjusting band size to fit slight fluctuations in volume.
– Many manufacturers build 1/2 to 1 cup size of flex into their sizes.
– Breast asymmetry is also common, so ideal fit accommodates subtle differences.
While you may not get back to the exact prior dimensions, supportive bras can still provide a great fit after weaning. Don’t get discouraged if your breasts don’t end up matching their pre-baby proportions.
Can I Get My Old Breasts Back?
If your breasts stayed persistently larger after pregnancy/breastfeeding, you have options to potentially downsize them:
Lose weight – Losing leftover pregnancy pounds may help your breasts shrink and regain shape. Aim to reach your pre-baby weight.
Build chest muscles – Strength training your chest can provide a lifting effect. However, be cautious about overdoing upper body workouts.
Breast lift – A mastopexy removes excess skin and reshapes the breasts. This doesn’t reduce size but can improve appearance.
Breast reduction – A breast reduction removes glandular tissue and fat to decrease size.
Discuss surgical options with a board-certified plastic surgeon. Incisions carry risks of scarring, nipple sensory changes, and interference with future breastfeeding ability.
Coping with Breast Changes After Pregnancy
It’s normal to mourn the loss of your pre-baby breasts after childbearing years. You grew and nourished babies with your body. Now it may look and feel different. Here are some tips:
– Give it time – Breasts often continue slowly shrinking up to a year after weaning.
– Find supportive bras – Get properly fitted for bras offering lift, shape and coverage.
– Focus on the positive – Your breasts did the amazing job of feeding your baby!
– Stay body positive – Don’t criticize changes out of your control. Love your postpartum body.
– Avoid comparisons – Don’t obsess over how breasts looked pre-kids. Celebrate your beautiful body!
The Takeaway
It’s extremely common for breasts to enlarge during pregnancy and remain slightly bigger after breastfeeding. However, subtle size increases don’t mean you must wear a larger bra size long-term. Be patient through the postpartum transition. Supportive undergarments and self-love help you adjust to a new version of your fantastic female form!