How to tighten your breasts after childbirth and breastfeeding

With the onset of pregnancy, fulfilling her main mission on earth, a woman blossoms in all respects.

However, at the end of the period of feeding the baby, when there are already fewer worries, looking at themselves in the mirror with a critical eye, young mothers discover a lot of things that darken their happiest period in life.

For example, the breasts seem to deflate, sometimes one is different in size from the other, and stretch marks appear. How to tighten the problem area after childbirth and is it possible to return the bust to its former shape and elasticity? Much is achievable, and we will tell you how.

Why do breasts sag after breastfeeding and how to prevent it?

Inside each breast there are more than 10 glandular lobes and adipose tissue. Under the influence of hormonal levels, the size and shape of the mammary gland may change slightly. Every woman notices that at the beginning of the cycle, the breasts are less voluminous and less sensitive. Before the onset of menstruation, it increases in size, becomes lush, and the nipples react to every touch. The culprit of this reaction is progesterone. Under the influence of this hormone, so-called engorgement of the mammary glands occurs.

During pregnancy, a similar process occurs, only the level of progesterone does not fall after a few days, but, on the contrary, constantly increases. The mammary glands are located on muscles that maintain shape. Due to the fact that the lobules have become heavier and more voluminous, the “supporting pillow” is weakened. Due to the growth of the mammary gland, the skin stretches, losing its elasticity and firmness. With a rapid increase in the epidermis, you can notice small stretch marks, which also do not have the best effect on the appearance of the breast.

By the beginning of breastfeeding, the mammary glands reach their maximum size. After childbirth, many women experience problems with posture. This further weakens the muscles of the mammary glands. To prevent your breasts from sagging, you need to constantly take care of them.

A tonic contrast shower has a positive effect on the condition of the skin. Water procedures increase blood circulation in tissues and prevent the appearance of stretch marks. A contrast shower can be done during daily bathing. A stream of cool and warm water is directed alternately onto the chest. As you get used to it, you can increase the temperature gap, which will only benefit the skin.
Breast cosmetics can be purchased at any store. To maintain skin elasticity, it is necessary to apply them 1-2 times a day with gentle massaging movements. Creams containing hormones not only help tighten, but can also slightly increase breast size.
Having the right bra is considered half the battle. To reduce the strain on your muscles and prevent them from weakening, you need to choose underwear with wide straps and reliable support under the bust. You should not buy bras with a lot of foam or underwire. It is better to choose a cotton bra, especially during breastfeeding.
The main thing to do to prevent sagging breasts is to properly organize breastfeeding. You should not express with your hands, as this process stretches the skin. It is necessary to feed the baby alternately with the right and left breasts. If you do not change the mammary glands every feeding, one of them will overgrow and increase the stress on the muscles. Any complications should be avoided - mastitis, lactostasis.

The following factors influence the deterioration of breast condition:

Pregnancy is nature, and nothing can be done about it.
Genetics. If your mother and grandmother’s breasts have not deteriorated at all with age, then yours will not deteriorate either. If the decrease in elasticity is hereditary, then you need to make every effort to prevent such sad consequences.
Incorrect feeding. The child should not be allowed to behave freely at the breast - pulling the nipple, squeezing and squeezing the breast, pinching, biting or chewing it. This, firstly, is painful, and secondly, it leads to sagging breasts.
Improper pumping can also lead to tightening of the skin - and, as a result, to a decrease in elasticity.
Low muscle tone. Because muscles are the support on which the iron is attached.
Abrupt cessation of feeding. Many mothers tighten the glands to stop lactation, and this can lead to lactostasis and mastitis. You need to stop breastfeeding gradually so that the gland goes into “sleep mode” without unnecessary stress and then into “complete shutdown.”
A sharp jump in weight. When you gain weight quickly, your breasts will also enlarge, which can cause stretch marks to appear. And with rapid weight loss, the breasts seem to empty.

Breast lift after childbirth

Help, my breasts are sagging! How to lift sagging breasts? I'm very embarrassed about sagging breasts! These and other cries for help can be found on forums for young mothers. Over the years, women have found different ways to restore the former attractiveness of their mammary glands. The simplest of them is a breast lift through surgery. The technique is chosen individually and depends on the stage of mastoptosis - prolapse and loss of elasticity of the mammary gland.

There are more complex ways to return breasts to their previous shape; they require physical effort and self-control. With a small degree of mastoptosis, it is recommended to start with exercises and the use of cosmetics. We must not forget about maintaining correct posture and choosing the right underwear size.

Exercises for tightening

You should start doing exercises to tighten your breasts in advance. The stronger the muscles in this area, the easier it will be for them to endure pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Bench push-ups. When performing the exercise, your palms should be shoulder-width apart and your back should be straight. If it’s difficult to focus on your toes at first, you can do it on your knees.
Throwing the ball. You need to stand up straight and extend your arms with the ball at chest level. Bending and straightening your elbows, throw the ball at a wall or a partner. You cannot change the height of your arms.
Pushups. The palms should be placed opposite the shoulders. Your back should be straight during training.

You can independently create a set of exercises for tightening your breasts, muscles and skin. The fact that the training is bringing results will be indicated by pleasant discomfort in the chest area. It appears after 2-3 days of training. Exercises should be performed at least 3 times a week.

It is worth noting that such exercises cannot be performed during pregnancy. Intense physical activity can have a negative impact on your well-being. Expectant mothers are recommended to give preference to light types of gymnastics - raising arms to the sides, upwards, bending.

Breast lift creams

During pregnancy and breastfeeding, a tightening cream must be chosen especially carefully, since the active components penetrate the glands and can cause hypersensitivity reactions in the baby. After completing lactation, you can be more confident in choosing a cosmetic product.

Popular tightening creams:

Beauty Lift;
Super Elastic;
DUO;
Push up;
Fitrel ampoules;
Delightful bust and others.

Breast lift surgery

There is a simple method to determine whether a face lift surgery is needed. Doctors distinguish 4 degrees of mastoptosis - sagging breasts. To perform the test, you need to remove your bra and stand up straight. You need to put your hand under the chest and evaluate how much the glands cover the fingers. At the initial stage, the chest will not overlap either one. In this case, you can safely refuse surgery and try to restore elasticity with exercises and cosmetics.

If the mammary glands overlap one finger, then we are talking about the first degree of mastoptosis. The more fingers that cover the chest, the more complicated the situation. Lifting surgery is performed using various methods. For minor changes, a periareolar lift is recommended, and for the latter, an anchor lift is recommended.

Mastoptosis and its development

Sagging of the breast with the formation of a plane in the upper thoracic region with deformation of the position of the nipple is called mastoptosis. With mastoptosis, visualization of a skin fold also occurs. With mastoptosis, one can distinguish the main stages of its development, which characterize certain conditions of the breast.

At the beginning, it is expressed in the fact that the level of the skin fold located under the breast and the nipples begin to coincide.
Then the location of the nipples shifts within three centimeters (below the level of the fold), while simultaneously pointing forward.
Finally, at the final stage, the nipples, in their previous position, are already directed downwards.

The right time for a breast lift after childbirth

If we are talking about exercises, then you can do them immediately after giving birth. It is better to choose the time for them after feeding the baby, when the mammary glands are as empty as possible. It is important to wear a supportive bra when exercising so as not to place increased strain on the large muscle.

It is better not to use tightening creams during lactation. You can use safe cosmetics to soften the skin and increase its elasticity. Other remedies can only be used after breastfeeding is completed.

As for the operation, plastic surgeons do not indicate the exact time when a lift can be done. Naturally, during pregnancy and during breastfeeding, no doctor will undertake surgery. After completion of lactation, you must wait at least six months for the mammary glands to return to their original state. The reduction of glandular lobules occurs gradually, so if the operation is performed immediately, the resulting effect can quickly dissipate.

Additional breast support during breastfeeding - useful tips

During the daytime, it is recommended to wear a soft bra that fits snugly to the chest, but does not squeeze the mammary glands. When choosing underwear for sleep, bras with underwires or other additional inserts are excluded. The bra can be replaced with a comfortable top that also supports the breasts. During the day and at night, it is recommended to use special breast pads that will help keep your underwear clean. Otherwise, you need to change your night bra every day and then wash it.

Preparing for surgery

If a woman decides to undergo a surgical breast lift, she must prepare for this, since the doctor will not be able to perform the operation instantly without additional preparation.

In addition, it is initially necessary to undergo the prescribed tests so that the surgeon can assess the patient’s health, the condition of the mammary glands, and exclude contraindications.

If there are no obstacles to a breast lift, then you can begin to prepare for surgery. 2-3 weeks before this you need to:

Forget about smoked and fried foods. Also, do not eat too fatty foods.
Quit nicotine and other bad habits. This is due to the fact that smoking patients are at risk of developing blood clots.
Inform the doctor at the first consultation about taking specific medications. Perhaps they are contraindicated.
Prepare the necessary things for the clinic. These could be documents, hygiene products, etc.
Don't overload your body. A week before the planned breast lift, you need to stop physical activity altogether.
The day before the intervention, it is recommended to stop eating solid foods.

Other ways to restore the shape of the mammary glands

In addition to physical exercise, there are also ways that, in combination with exercise, will restore breasts after feeding. Here are a few such ways:

Shower - alternate cold and hot water, this contrast improves blood circulation.
Breast massage with water jet. The stream of water should be moderately strong, otherwise the mammary glands can be injured. And a weak one will not give the expected effect. The temperature is also normal. The procedure is pleasant and should not cause discomfort. We run a stream of water over the mammary glands in a circle, 5 minutes for each. This procedure has a good effect on the skin.
Air baths. Don't overdo it because too much sun exposure can lead to pigmentation and aging of the skin.

approximate cost

The average price for breast lift in St. Petersburg and Moscow varies from 60,000 to 150,000 rubles. The final cost depends on the reputation of the clinic, the qualifications and experience of the doctors, as well as on the method in which the shape and size of the mammary glands will be corrected.

It is worth understanding that, for example, prices in Minsk may differ from the capital’s cost for a breast lift.

If a person decides to undergo lipofilling, then it is necessary to pay a different amount of money. This lift without implants is available both in Novosibirsk and Moscow, its price is 90-150 thousand rubles.

The introduction of threads or the use of fillers can cost 100-200 thousand rubles. It all depends on the clinic and the amount of work.