[Saecularis Angel...]

I think today might be the first day DD doesn't breastfeed at all (here's hoping, anyway).

What I'm wondering is, if this is it, how long will it take for my breasts to settle and become whatever their new normal size and shape will be, post-breastfeeding?

I've been promising myself that when she finally weaned I'd spend some money getting nice, good quality bras to fit my new size, but I don't know how long I should wait?

[SarahM72]

I can't give you any personal account (as I've been continually breastfeeding since I had my first baby many years ago now), but from the experience of my friends it seems that breasts go a bit flatter for a while after completely stopping (I assume the ducts are shrinking or something), and then over a period of a few months the lucky ones seem to have a bit more fat deposited back, becoming a bit fuller.

But really, I guess every one is different and you may just have to wait and see. I hope you get a pleasant surprise and not a dreadful shock (like what I think I'm in for.)

ETA: I have heard that fennel tea after the milk has completely dried up (otherwise it will induce more milk production) may help with restoring everything to its former glory, lol.

This post has been edited by SarahM72: 04/12/2012, 05:57 PM

[AllegraM]

I had about 3 days of discomfort then everything settled. My breasts did shrink and go quite saggy but have perked up again. I weaned while 4 months pregnant though so I am probably not the best example. Two months later I am still producing milk but I don't know if that is related to my current pregnancy.

[SeaPrincess]

I had to give one final feed at 3 days post weaning (for my benefit, not baby's.) I would probably wait about 3 months - I weaned DD in January, and I remember in about April/May suddenly being aware that I finally felt like myself again after basically 4 years of being pg/bf or both.

[Saecularis Angel...]

Thanks for the replies. Sounds like it'd be best to give it a few months.

Given that I'm currently rocking an H-cup, I wouldn't mind them shrinking a bit. Will just have to see, I guess!

[Lucretia Borgia]

Mine settled down pretty much straight away...having said that though I think it was a bit of a dry old argument for DS 2 for quite some time...ever since starting solids he increasingly lost interest.....mine are right back to normal, about two weeks after stopping...when I say "normal" ..they're somewhat deflated....nothing a good under wire can't fix I guess....H cup! I'm jealous ....

[Ehill]

For me I was quite 'empty' by the time I weaned so it didnt take long. No, mine never perked up again . No perk on this chest.....!

I think only a few weeks, maybe a month.

[hollysmama]

I also was quite empty even before I completely finished. They stayed the same size, maybe shrunk a little bit, for a whole year, then all of a sudden they got smaller and perked back up a little bit. So I was a saggy D cup for the 12 mths after breastfeeding, then they shrunk back up a little more and I was about to go and buy new bras because I probably would have fit a C cup quite well, but I got pregnant again. And I was also able to squeeze milk out of them a whole year after finishing b'fing - weird.

ETA - mine are nowhere near the same as before kids. They were a perky B, now a saggy D give me my little B cups any day!

This post has been edited by hollysmama: 04/12/2012, 08:42 PM

[vääräsääri]

Mine were also quite empty towards the end, and stayed that way for about 6 months before starting to become a bit fuller again. Now my breasts are pretty much exactly same size (unfortunately, not exactly the same shape...) as before kids.

[Saecularis Angel...]

H cup! I'm jealous ....

Don't be! They hurt, they strain my neck, they make finding well-fitting clothes (especially button-through shirts) a nightmare... Before being pregnant I was an E and I thought that was bad! Am kind of morbidly curious to see what I end up with now.