Breasts go through many changes during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Though a breastfeeding mother is often in awe of the bond created with her new baby, she also often notices changes in her breasts. The idea of sagging breasts after breastfeeding is a fear for many women. Many women are surprised to find out it’s the changes during pregnancy that make their breasts sag instead of the actual act of breastfeeding. The skin stretches and contracts for months, causing dramatic changes in size. The skin is stressed trying to adapt to these changes. The same changes can also happen as a woman naturally ages as there is a loss of elasticity and fullness in the breasts. This is all-natural and can be different for each woman. While there’s no miracle cure for these changes in the breast, there are things you can do to preserve their youthful look. We have some of the most effective ways to treat sagging breasts.
Prevent and Treat Sagging Breasts
Wear a Supportive Bra
A good, supportive bra helps maintain the firmness of your breasts. It helps support the breasts when they’re strained from exercise, pregnancy and breastfeeding. A woman’s bust changes daily when pregnant and nursing. A supportive maternity and nursing bra will keep up with these changes. It’s best to get fitted to ensure you’re wearing the best possible size for you. It’s also crucial to wear a supportive bra when you exercise to reduce bounce. The more your breasts bounce, the more they may sag. Wear a supportive bra to bed to support your ligaments.
Exercise
The bad news is there aren’t any muscles in the breasts to tone from exercise. The good news is there are muscles in the chest behind the breasts, so you can build these muscles. This will help tone the pectoral muscles, enhancing the look of your chest overall. You can do exercises like chest presses and push-ups to pump up your pectoral and upper-body muscles.
Eat a Healthy Diet
A healthy diet will help treat sagging breasts by boosting collagen levels and reducing the risk of weight gain. Weight can lead to larger breasts. Eat foods rich in antioxidants to help your body get rid of toxins that take away the collagen in your skin. Eat protein-rich foods like beans, fish and chicken. Add fruits like citrus fruits, papayas and strawberries.
Hydrate
One of the best ways to treat sagging breasts is to keep your body hydrated. Hydration keeps your skin looking nourished and fresh. It also helps reduce fine lines and wrinkles. Try to stay away from drinks that dehydrate your skin like soft drinks, coffee and alcohol.
Remember to Moisturize
It might surprise you that moisturizing can help your body cope with fluctuations of the skin. With proper moisturizing, your skin will stay hydrated. Try to use soap that doesn’t contain any harsh chemicals. Always apply moisturizer and lotion to your skin after you get out of a hot shower. Use coconut oil to keep your skin as hydrated as possible.
Don’t Lose Weight Quickly
Many women try to shed their pregnancy weight as quickly as possible. When you lose weight too quickly, your skin doesn’t have a chance to catch up. It starts to sag and hangs. Lose weight slowly so that your skin has a chance to tighten as the body shrinks.
Don’t Smoke
Smoking is notoriously bad for the skin. The nicotine in cigarettes breaks down the elastin in your skin. This elastin is in charge of keeping your skin “elastic.” This helps your skin stretch. If you don’t have elastin, your skin will wrinkle and sag.
Consider Breast-Lift Surgery
If you cannot treat sagging breasts in any of these natural ways, you can get a breast lift. A mastopexy procedure removes and tightens the excess skin on your breasts. It helps lift the breasts back into their perky position. This procedure mimics a breast reduction, but the tissue underneath the skin is not removed.
These basic steps will help reduce the sagging of your breasts. You’ll lead a healthier lifestyle and be more confident in your appearance. Sagging of the skin is often inevitable as you age, but you can try to fight it as much as possible.