Getting used to your breasts after breastfeeding takes time, and loving them can be difficult for a lot of women. One day you look in the mirror and barely recognise what you see. Your breasts may be softer, may sag a little or be a different size, and you might have stretch marks you didn’t expect. All of that is normal, and you’re not alone in how you feel. Your body did something amazing, and with a little patience and kindness, it’s possible to feel good in it again.
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What actually changes
During pregnancy and breastfeeding, your breasts grow and make milk. When feeding stops, they go back to a smaller size, but not always to the one you knew before. Many women notice that their breasts feel softer or look less full. Some find one breast is now bigger than the other.
These changes are common and completely normal. Age, genetics, how many children you’ve had and your weight all play a part. Breastfeeding itself is not the only reason.
Give yourself time
Your body has been through a lot, and it needs time to settle. Your breasts can keep changing for months after your last feed. Try not to judge how you look in the first few weeks. What you see today is not always how things will stay.
Be kind in how you talk about yourself
Pay attention to the words you use in your head. If you wouldn’t say it to a friend, don’t say it to yourself. Try swapping “saggy” for “soft”. It sounds small, but over time it shifts how you feel when you get dressed in the morning.
Wear something that fits well
A bra that fits properly can make a big difference to how you feel. Your size may have changed, so it’s worth getting measured again. Choose something comfortable that you actually enjoy wearing, not just something practical. Feeling good in your underwear is a good place to start.
Stop comparing
Social media is full of photos that are filtered, posed or edited. Real bodies after babies look many different ways. If scrolling makes you feel worse, unfollow accounts that leave you feeling small, and follow women who show bodies like yours.
Talk to someone
It helps to hear that other mums feel the same way. Speak to a friend, your sister or a mothers’ group. If your feelings about your body are weighing on you, or you notice any lumps, pain or changes that worry you, speak to your doctor or clinic.
Remember what your body did
Your breasts fed and comforted your child. That’s worth being proud of. You don’t have to love every change straight away. Start by being kind, and let the rest follow in its own time.
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Featured Image: Pexels
