Women desire a firm, attractive bustline, but pregnancy and breastfeeding can drastically change the shape and size of the breasts. Due to specific hormones, your breasts go through a process during pregnancy that prepares them for breastfeeding. However, after breastfeeding, the breasts tend to deflate, sag and become droopy. The good news is that moms can get back their pre-pregnancy breasts by practicing some easy habits.
- Follow a healthy diet: Maintain a healthy diet that includes fresh fruits, vegetables, wholegrain cereals, legumes and lean protein. Foods that are rich in vitamin B (eggs, fish, and poultry) and E (nuts, seeds, and leafy greens) help maintain skin’s elasticity and tone. Avoid or reduce animal fat intake or saturated fats as much as you can.
- Provide your breasts with proper support: Though many women find it bothersome to wear a supportive bra during pregnancy and breastfeeding, this is important as your breasts need support during this phase. So try to get the right nursing or sports bra which will support your breasts and prevent further sagging. Wearing the right bras will keep the breast strong and lifted by supporting the weight of your breasts.
- Use the right position while breastfeeding: You should maintain good posture while feeding your baby. Many women tend to lean over the baby while nursing, but doing so tends to stretch the skin and put pressure on muscles, ruining the appearance of the breasts. Experts recommend using breastfeeding pillows or sitting up straight while breastfeeding.
- Exercise regularly: Regular exercise can improve muscle tone and help shed the weight you gained in pregnancy. Do light exercises such as jogging, swimming and walking during the breastfeeding phase.
- Hydrotherapy: Hydrotherapy or water therapy is a natural treatment for firmer and fuller breasts. It involves the use of water, both internally and externally, and at varying temperatures, for health purposes. According to an article from totalcurve.com, exposing your body to alternate hot and cold showers will improve blood circulation, stimulating the production of skin proteins, collagen and elastin responsible for the skin’s elasticity and tone. These proteins can improve the firmness of breast skin, resulting in perky, fuller breasts. Improved blood circulation can also stimulate the growth of the breast tissues.
- Moisturize: Keep your breasts moisturized. This will provide multiple benefits such as helping the skin cells maintain their strength to help prevent sagging and improving sensitivity in the nipples. Moreover, massaging your breasts while moisturizing them will improve blood circulation and support the breast tissues in their repair and regrowth activities. Olive oil and almond oil are great options to address sagging concerns.
- Avoid rapid weight loss: Post-pregnancy, many women look to lose weight quickly. However, rapid weight loss will stretch the skin and affect the appearance of your breasts. So try to lose that weight gained gradually, which will give your skin time to adapt.
- Wean gradually: Stop breastfeeding gradually over an extended period of time. In addition to not being good for your child, weaning suddenly causes the breasts to shrink rapidly, leading to the tissue losing its strength. When you wean gradually, it will help the fat tissue to redeposit inside the breasts and help them regain their pre-pregnancy appearance more quickly.
These natural techniques show their effect over a few months. If you are not satisfied with natural treatments and techniques then you can consider cosmetic surgery. Breast augmentation or breast augmentation along with a breast lift can restore the appearance of the breasts after pregnancy.
