For those of you who have been pregnant, you know how awesome your breasts can look during this time. But – you also know that for most of us, those beautiful breasts go away shortly after you stop breastfeeding. There are a lucky few who don’t experience much shrinkage but for many of us, it is an unavoidable outcome. As a result, our breasts become deflated and saggy.
So why do some people keep the growth they experienced during pregnancy and others do not? The common answer seems to be genetics. But there are a few things you can do during and after pregnancy that can help minimize sagging in the breasts.
Things to Do While Pregnant and/or Breastfeeding
Wear a supportive bra during and after pregnancy, and during breastfeeding if you choose to breastfeed. During pregnancy, one can experience an increase in breast size of a cup or two or more. That is a lot of strain on the connective tissue found in the breasts which help support the breasts and keep them perky. Wearing a good supportive bra will help minimize damage to the connective tissue. Some women even recommend wearing a sleep bra, generally a wireless bra that provides light support and does not constrict while you sleep.
Use a breast pillow like the Intimina pillow bra. They can help provide additional support to the breasts while laying down. The Intimina pillow bra is a cushion that is placed between the breasts and is said to reduce pressure on the breasts. It also helps to reduce wrinkles and creases in the decollete that can be created when laying on your side.
Keep breasts moisturized. Adopting this habit while pregnant can help keep skin around the breasts soft and minimize the loss of elasticity in the breasts. It can also help to reduce stretch marks on the breasts. There are many breast lotions like Mustela Specific Support Bust that are safe to use while breastfeeding. Mustela’s is said to promote firmness and tissue regeneration as well as prevent elasticity loss.
Do push-ups and other chest exercises. These exercises can help build the muscles in the chest which can make the breasts look perkier. Please be aware that doing chest exercises will not increase the size of the breasts as breasts are made of fat, connective tissue and glands which do not grow due to exercise of any type.
Massage breasts during pregnancy and breastfeeding. There are many benefits to breast massage including increased circulation to the breasts, relief of breast pain and improved milk flow. If you plan to massage after you have decided to stop breastfeeding, you may want to wait until your milk has dried up as massaging will stimulate the breasts and may increase milk flow.
Eat collagen rich foods. Collagen can help strengthen the connective tissue found in the breasts. Some collagen rich foods include broth made from bones and if you are up to it, pig feet and chicken feet. If you chose to take collagen supplements, wait until you are no longer breastfeeding before starting.
Things to Do After Pregnancy and/or Breastfeeding
Take Evening Primrose Oil (EPO) after pregnancy. Some women recommend taking EPO after pregnancy because of its high concentration of gamma-linoleic acid (GLA) which is good for hormone balance and promotes healthy breast tissue. Do not start EPO until you are completely done with breastfeeding.
Breast massage and volufiline cream can be beneficial in adding some fullness after pregnancy. Massage helps to increase circulation and volufiline is used to naturally increase the number and size of fat cells found in the breasts. This method will not give you massive gains in the breast area but can help restore some of the fullness that was lost.
Using cold water on the breasts is believed in many cultures to help firm up the breasts and tighten the skin around the breasts. An easy was to do this is to rub ice cubes around your breasts. If you choose to try this method, be sure you are no longer breastfeeding as it is believed by some to constrict the milk ducts in the breasts and may reduce milk flow.
Starting a breast enlargement routine can help to increase breast fullness and size. Growing breasts is said to be easier for those who have experienced their first pregnancy but before starting any breast enlargement regimen, be sure you are completely donewith breastfeeding.
Additional tips
If you have decided to stop breastfeeding and are ready for your milk to dry up, give cabbage leaves a try. No one knows why it works but many mothers swear by this method. Place cabbage leaves over breasts and within a few days, milk should be dried up.
Some women believe that starting a massage and breast enlargement pill program, either herbal or glandular, before your milk dries up will lead to better luck at keeping the growth you experienced from pregnancy. Obviously you’ll want to wait until you are no longer breastfeeding your baby before trying this tip.
