Breastfeeding is a beautiful thing to do for you and your baby. It takes a lot of time and commitment to choose to breastfeed your child. But what happens to your breasts when you breastfeed? And will your nipples ever be the same again?
In essence your nipples should not be forever changed by breastfeeding. As long as there was no trauma to the nipple tissue during breastfeeding, your nipples should return to their former shape, size and color.
Some nipples change from the beginning of pregnancy, and continue to change throughout breastfeeding. Some nipples don’t change much at all. It may depend on genetics, or it may have to do with your breastfeeding habits. Let’s take a closer look at what happens to your nipples during breastfeeding.
Throughout your pregnancy you have already experienced so much change in your body. Your boobs have swollen along with your belly, and once baby has arrived they fill, sometimes painfully, with milk intended to fill and nurture your little one.
Your nipples definitely are on the front lines when it comes to breastfeeding. You are constantly whipping out a boob to soothe a crying baby, or pacify your leaking nipples. It can feel like your body is not your own, and after almost a year of growing a human inside you that can feel like a huge sacrifice. But what about your nipples? How are they faring in this onslaught of attention?
Nipples are designed to bounce back in shape after being sucked on by your babe. Inside the mouth of a suckling baby the nipple is being pulled in an out and downward motion toward the baby’s soft palate. This depth and force can feel shocking and sometimes painful for a first time breastfeeder. But after some practice that uncomfortable feeling should dissipate.
Finding that comfortable latch can also be challenging and sometimes painful for your nipples. It may feel like baby is just gnawing on them at times, or their suck can leave your nipples feeling sore and raw. If you encounter challenges with breastfeeding, especially in the early days, it is a good idea to get a consultation with a certified lactation consultant, or an internationally board certified lactation consultant. CLCs or IBCLCs can offer a wealth of knowledge and help troubleshooting to find solutions for your breastfeeding needs.
Does breastfeeding permanently change your nipples
While you are breastfeeding your nipples may be suckled, bitten, and used in a way they never were before. The nipple is a sensitive part of your body, and it is not surprising that the constant use of it takes a toll.
Everyone talks about getting a good latch when breastfeeding, and there is a reason why it is such a hot topic! Your baby’s latch is what guarantees that they are getting the milk that they need, and not hurting you in the process. If the latch is too shallow your nipples will suffer. They may come out looking like the top of a new lipstick. Or baby could be sucking in a way that cuts off the circulation to your nipple, causing it to look white after a latch.
Some babies have different anatomy of the mouth called lip ties or tongue ties. These differences can make breastfeeding painful or ineffectual, causing a variety of complications. It may cause your nipple to crack and bleed if your baby is having difficulty getting a proper latch. Your baby’s pediatrician can identify these variations in anatomy and you can choose how you want to adapt your feeding. Just know that cracked and bleeding nipples are not considered a normal side effect of breastfeeding, and you should consult your doctor or an IBCLC.
Usually there is no permanent damage to your nipples with breastfeeding. With a good consistent latch you should be in the clear, and even if you did have complications like cracked or bleeding nipple they should heal and recover quickly, as long as you take proper care of them.
Do your areolas go back to normal after breastfeeding
Throughout pregnancy and your breastfeeding journey your nipples and areolas will change and grow. The areola might get bigger and darker, making it easy for your baby to find. But when you wake up one morning and half your breast surface is areola that might be alarming at first! Or if you used to have nipples that point up and now they stare at the ground you might wonder if they will ever turn back around again.
Sometimes these things just take time. Once your breastfeeding journey has come to an end and your nipples have had a chance to recover a bit, they may return to their original size, color and shape. They are, afterall, built to last, and quite durable. This could take a few months, since a lot of the changes that occurred had to do with the hormones of breastfeeding. Even when you stop breastfeeding you still will produce some milk. Once your milk has dried up and your hormones have recalibrated your nipples and areolas will likely change back also. They may not change back entirely, they may retain some of their breastfeeding glory, but they should get smaller and less dark again.
Does pumping ruin your nipples
Pumping might seem like the lesser of two evils if you are hoping to save your nipples. Afterall, you don’t have to worry about a teething breast pump. And this is mostly true. If you are looking to save your nipples from being sucked dry a breast pump might be the better choice for you. And there are plenty of added bonuses with pumping, like sharing the responsibility of feeding your baby.
As long as you choose the right size flange for your nipple you should be in the clear. With a proper fitting flange you can avoid your nipple rubbing against the inside, or being painfully pinched. So these advantages come with a caveat.
It is also important that you choose the right intensity. Breast pumps come with different levels of suction, and you should choose one below the one that feels most comfortable to you. If you need a slightly higher suction to trigger your let down response make sure you switch back to a lower setting for the rest of your pumping session. Consistently having the highest vacuum setting could cause some damage to your breast tissue, areola and nipple. So experiment a little and choose what feels comfortable for you.
Even after you find the right settings for you, just as with breastfeeding, your hormones may keep your nipples and areolas looking darker and larger than they did pre-pregnancy. But these changes are not always permanent. Once you wean and your hormones balance out your nipples should return to their previous size and color.
Will breastfeeding make my breasts saggy
From the moment of conception your body will start producing hormones that cause changes in your body. These hormones especially cause changes in the breast tissue. Increased blood volume means increased blood flow. Your breasts will swell and change. You might gain a cup size or even two throughout your pregnancy.
In addition to the swelling during pregnancy, on about day 3 or 4 after delivering your baby your mature milk will come in. This timeline can vary depending on how you gave birth and your health. The first few days you will be producing colostrum, a thick yellow milk that will provide much needed nutrients and antibodies for your newborn. But once your mature milk comes in you will notice a huge change in your breasts. They will be hard and engorged and probably leaky.
All of this change is in preparation to provide breastmilk for your growing baby. Some breastfeeding people produce enough milk to feed twins when their mature milk arrives! Others struggle to produce. Either way, the changes take a toll on your body, hormonally and physically.
Along your breastfeeding journey your breasts will not continue to get as engorged as they did in the first few weeks. Whether your breastfeeding lasted weeks, months or years you will notice a change in your breasts when you are done weaning. Your breasts will feel less full, and your areolas will get smaller and lighter once again. Your breast tissue may even feel different. And yes, there can be sagging as a result of the many changes your body endured in a relatively short period of time.
Some people notice very little change and for others the change is more pronounced. It can depend on genetics, diet, health and many other factors. You may not like the change in your breast tissue. But it bears the love and devotion that you showed your child, and that is certainly something to celebrate.
So What’s the Conclusion?
Breastfeeding is a big commitment. It can be magical for some and tiresome stressful for others, or all of the above. Just as your body as a whole underwent many changes during pregnancy, your breasts went through a lot! They grew and shrank and got darker and lighter. All to provide for your beautiful baby.
Although these changes can be a rollercoaster, not all of it is forever. Your areolas should return to their pre-pregnancy shape and color. Also your nipples should also return to their former shape. Your breasts may bear the signs of parenthood as they sit just a little lower on your chest. But is that such a tragedy? You alone know the answer. For me, I will always love what my breastfeeding did for my baby, regardless of what it did to my body.