What happens when you stop
While you are feeding, the milk-producing tissue in the breast is enlarged. When feeding stops, that tissue gradually shrinks back and is replaced in part by fatty tissue. The process takes weeks to months. During it, your breasts may feel softer and emptier, and size can go up and down.
If you stop gradually, the change is gradual too. If you stop suddenly, expect a period of fullness first. Speak to your midwife, health visitor or GP if you have painful engorgement, a hot or red area, or a lump that does not go.
What may be different afterwards
- Cup size. It may be smaller, the same or larger than before pregnancy.
- Band size. The ribcage does not always return fully to its earlier measurement.
- Shape. Less fullness above the nipple is the most common change, with softer tissue that sits a little lower.
- Symmetry. A difference between sides can become more noticeable, especially if the baby preferred one.
When to re-measure
| Time since last feed | What to do |
|---|---|
| 0 to 4 weeks | Keep wearing your nursing bras or soft, stretchy bras |
| 1 to 3 months | If needed, buy one flexible, inexpensive bra in your current size |
| About 3 months | Measure properly and buy new bras |
| 6 to 12 months | Check again, especially if your weight is still changing |
How to measure now
Softer tissue is the reason to take a leaning measurement as well as a standing one. Standing, soft tissue settles low and the tape misses volume. Bend forward to 90 degrees and measure there too. If the leaning figure is more than an inch bigger, use the average. Then use the calculator. Technique is in how to measure your bust.
Styles that suit the change
If your old bras now gape at the top, the likely cause is reduced upper fullness, not a smaller size overall. Before sizing down, try a different cut.
- Balconettes and half-cups, which have less upper cup and lift from below.
- Cups with a stretch-lace upper section, which lie flat where they are not filled.
- Unlined, seamed cups, which shape soft tissue better than a moulded cup.
- Side support, to bring tissue forward.
- Removable pads, if one side is now smaller.
The reasoning is in full on top vs full on bottom and why your bra cups are gaping.
Be kind to yourself about it
It is common to feel unsure about a body that has changed. A bra that fits the breasts you have now, in a shape that suits them, makes a real difference to comfort and to how clothes sit. If you would like help, a fitting is a good idea at this point: see the best places for a bra fitting in the UK.
See your GP about any lump, persistent pain, skin change or nipple discharge that continues after you have stopped feeding.
Frequently asked questions
Will my breasts go back to their old size after breastfeeding?
Some people return to their pre-pregnancy size, some end up smaller and some larger. Shape often changes even when size does not, typically with less fullness at the top. All of these are normal.
When should I be measured after stopping breastfeeding?
Give it around three months after your last feed for the breasts to settle, then measure. If your bras are uncomfortable sooner, buy one inexpensive one to tide you over.
Does breastfeeding cause sagging?
Research points to pregnancy itself, along with age, weight changes, smoking and genetics, as the main influences on breast shape. Breastfeeding has not been shown to be an independent cause.
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