Can Breastfeeding Cause Breast Sag?
A popular misconception about breast ptosis — which refers to drooping and/or sagging breast tissue — involves the notion that the primary cause of sagging is breastfeeding or nursing. In truth, sagging breasts are usually caused by the shape and size of the breasts fluctuating throughout pregnancy. Having children typically causes the breasts to temporarily enlarge, resulting in stretching of the overlying skin and increased inelasticity. Following pregnancy, the breasts often return to their original size; however, the skin may remain stretched. This not only flattens the breast contours, but can also result in a pendulous or drooping appearance. Breastfeeding may exacerbate breast sag, but the condition is generally more the result of pregnancy rather than nursing.
There are many effective measures patients can take to minimize the effects of pregnancy and breastfeeding on their breasts, including:
- Avoiding smoking: Smoking can reduce skin elasticity, causing the breasts to sag or droop over time.
- Staying at or near your ideal weight range: Although weight gain during pregnancy is inevitable, living an active and healthy lifestyle can help minimize fluctuations in the size and shape of the breasts and reduce ptosis.
- Wearing a supportive bra: Providing additional support for the breasts, particularly when breastfeeding, can decrease pressure on the ligaments responsible for lifting the breasts.
- Losing pregnancy weight gradually rather than all at once: When weight loss occurs rapidly, the skin often doesn’t have time to contract around your new breast contours, leading to a saggy look.
In some cases, developing saggy breasts may be inevitable. Dr. Jon Paul Trevisani, our Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon, offers numerous solutions to firm, tighten, and lift the breasts to a more youthful position on the chest wall. A breast lift can be extremely effective in restoring support for weakened breast tissue, while breast reduction may be the most optimal treatment for those who believe their breasts are disproportionately large and/or heavy. Rest assured that Dr. Jon Paul Trevisani is committed to listening to each person’s concerns, and formulating a surgical plan custom-tailored to achieve their unique goals.
Dr. Jon Paul Trevisani understands that experiencing changes in your breasts as you get older can be frustrating and distressing. There are several solutions that can help restore support for your breasts and help you regain younger-looking contours — start achieving your aesthetic goals today by contacting our Orlando practice for a consultation.