Shrinking Bra Size

Updated on August 08, 2008
R.A. asks from Indianapolis, IN
22 answers

I feel a little weird asking this question but I really want to know, so here goes. I stopped nursing my son 2 1/2 weeks ago (we were down to just one feeding before bed and he gave it up on his own)and started wearing my regular bras again. Sadly, I discovered that they are very roomy now. I had read and heard that happens but was hoping I'd be an exception since I didn't have any extra cleavage to spare! Anyway, we're planning to have more children and I'm wondering if my bra size is going to shrink even more with each child. I need to buy some bras that fit but I don't want to spend a lot of money if I'm going to be in this same boat again down the road.

Thanks for your input!

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L.D.

answers from Columbus on

I also shrunk a cup size with my first child. I'm pregnant with my second and have been enjoying my big breasts again but it's depressing to know what's coming!! I guess you take the good with the bad! :)

1 mom found this helpful
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M.C.

answers from Cleveland on

My breasts shrank at least one cup size after my first pregnancy and subsequent weaning. It didn't chance all that much after my second, but I've notices an "old sock " look to them, sadly. I've gotten used to this, and since we're done having kids, they've stayed pretty much the same.

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S.Z.

answers from Cleveland on

I was a small D before kids. Went to a EE during my first pregnancy and F (had to special order them, UGH!) while nursing #1. She nursed for a year and I went to a small C (so lost a whole cup). Here comes #2, I was up to an E (started smaller so didn't get quite as big) and about the same or EE while nursing. I nursed my son for 14 months and am now barely a B. Through all this, I am still 36 around..just my cup has changed. As for the pp that said it's from lack of diet and excersise...HA! I do plenty of both and am smaller now than I was in high school and my breasts aren't "sagging" due to no excersise or my age..they are just smaller. Every woman I know that has nursed has had this happen.
My sister on the other had was a formula feeder and her breasts doubled and never went down. She's now getting reduction surgery. I'm very happy to be where I am. I was miserable as a D before kids..I'm almost 6' and am loving my barely B's, LOL.

1 mom found this helpful
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L.G.

answers from Lima on

At this point, I have to say you are lucky!!!!
I went from 36 to 38 with my first daughter, and afterwards went back to 36. Breast fed her for 5 months.
With my second she wouldn't breast feed at all, but while preg. I went from 36 to almost 40, and now am still stuck at 38 and VERY saggy!!!!!! I look like Maxine.

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E.M.

answers from South Bend on

I'm going on my third child nursing and really noticed the change after my daughter,(she was first) but not much since then. Everyone is different but I wouldn't panic yet. It seems to have leveled off with the boys I went down from a DD to a D after I stopped nursing her. They didn't change much even after nursing my second for over 2 years and I'm now nursing my third at 1 year. Good luck

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J.G.

answers from Cleveland on

I can only give you my own experience, but I do believe it have something to do with lower estrogen levels. I did not change after nursing my first baby at 32, but definitely "deflated" after nursing my second at 35. However, I know some moms who actually got bigger and stayed bigger. So, maybe wait on a major bra repurchase?

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A.P.

answers from Cleveland on

I feel your pain! I nursed all 3 of mine, first for 14 months, 2nd for 16 months, both gave it up on their own, and our daughter for 75 days ( she passed from SIDS at 75 days of age 3 years ago), I noticed after my first I was a bit smaller, I was always a 32 B, the bras became a little roomier, but Ok. 2nd son was born 12 years later, after he gave it up, about the same, after our daughter passed, I dont know if it was the engorgement, age or just nursing, but I cant even fill a 32 A anymore. Oh well, I love my kids, and wouldnt trade nursing for anything. And I do feel like a "real woman", I did the best thing I could for my kids. Keep your head up, your child has a wonderful start in life, you should be proud. God Bless

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J.C.

answers from Cleveland on

I'm sorry to hear that, R.! But you're not alone. I was in the same boat after nursing my boys who are 15 months apart. Needless to say, I didn't have much to begin with, but after it was all said and done, I looked like nothing more than a light switch!! No boobs... just niple! On the other hand, I guess they did the job for the babies! Mine never came back, and I was looking like a boy. If I raised my hands, my bra came up over my niples. Not so attractive. There are ways to fix it, and to be honest, I am glad I did!! I wish you and your bra the best of luck!!

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A.S.

answers from Indianapolis on

I am sorry to say R. that this is true. I went from a full C to barely an A and my son is 9. They never came back.

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C.C.

answers from Indianapolis on

I'm a cup size smaller after nursing my first child. Someone mentioned that they might come back someday, but i've bid them goodbye. :(

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C.W.

answers from Cincinnati on

You'll go back up with pregnancy and nursing and then to a smaller size again after. I nursed 2 and was a B cup before then a full if not a little more C and now a small B again. And with age comes sagging. Yucky!

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A.L.

answers from Columbus on

Breast size changes with each pregnancy and each weaning, and then again at menopause. Fun, Huh? Buying bras that fit will keep you comfortable. Walgreens has some nice stretch ones that are inexpensive and stand up well to washing.

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T.F.

answers from Fort Wayne on

Unfortunately that happened to me as well. My back size grew as well. I was a 36 full C before kid #1, nursed for 12 months, then was a 36 (tight) barely a C, then after nursing #2 for 12 months I am now a 38 B. While nursing I was an E, so it was quite depressing. So I wouldn't buy every color of Victoria Secret bras just yet. I would wait until your done and buy less expensive ones to tide you over. Good luck!

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S.J.

answers from Cincinnati on

Yes, don't go crazy buying costly bras until you've finished weaning your last one. I didn't have much to begin with (B), after nursing my first child for 14 months, was down to an A, and after nursing my 2nd one for 14 months, well, I don't really need a bra most days. I dread to think what would happen if I had another child to nurse. Miracle bras ! ;)

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K.S.

answers from Columbus on

I have to say that I'm jealous because I don't have any personal experience with it, I wish I did. Mine didn't go anywhere. However, I've had friends who have had this "problem". They start out around a b/c cup and after 2 or 3 kids, don't even need a bra now.

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D.T.

answers from Indianapolis on

There is research out there that shows that breast size does NOT shrink due to nursing. It's usually a combination of a result from the pregnancy (even non-nursing moms see a smaller breast size usually) and age (they naturally sag as you get older). Eating a variety of healthy foods and exercise are the proven best ways to keep them from sagging. There are specific strength training exercises you can do to improve muscle tone in your upper chest, back and shoulders.

I've had 3 kids, nursed all of them for almost 1.5 years and I'm still a C cup -- the size I was 7 years ago before my first pregnancy. After weaning each child, I noticed my breasts tended to be a bit smaller/saggier but only for a little while and then they were back to normal. They increased with each pregnancy and then went back to a C size.

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A.B.

answers from Columbus on

R.,
Wow I was about to write on the same subject. I stopped nursing a month ago and was in a great deal of pain for two weeks, Its now passed and I too have been super depressed. I think im back down to a small B or even an A. My husband has even been joking I should have a boob job. NOT gonna happen. At least youll have more kids and still have the feeling of being a women. I,m done so I dont think I,ll ever that that feeling again :(
Good luck A.

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S.D.

answers from Indianapolis on

I'm not sure how long you will wait to get pregnant again, but any money spent on bras now shouldn't really be related to a future pregnancy...you are supposed to replace yours bras after a year (some companies only guarantee 4-6 months!). So, I'd go some place for a professional bra fitting (no, Victoria's Secret doesn't do a good fitting) and buy 2-3 bras that will last you for the next year and then decide if it's worth buying more or if you are pregnant, just pull out the older bigger ones.
PM me if you'd like info on local places that do bra fittings.

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R.N.

answers from Columbus on

every woman is different I lost 2 cup sizes with 4 kids my aunt lost everything went from a ZZ cup ( Kidding but she was HUGE) to absolutley nothing. Sorry ... but its true. I assume that is why bra lifts and implants are becoming such HUGE sellers in woman after they finish having children

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D.I.

answers from South Bend on

Yeah I know the feeling of not having anything to spare. I was a size C until I had my kids and now I'm a B. Some girls get bigger and stay that way and unfortunately some of us aren't that lucky. I would go to walmart or something like that and buy just a few bras for now. You will probably stay the size you are now. I didn't shrink anymore after my first was born. I went from C to B and stayed there. I would suggest buying inexpensive bras for sure though.
D.

I am 31 and have been married almost 12 yrs. My husband and I have 3 boys ages 10,7, and 4.

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S.R.

answers from Toledo on

Hello. My sister nursed two children, and she didn't 'shrink' any more after feeding #2 than what she was at from 'shrinking' after feeding #1. My sil though has nursed 9 children and she appears to not have shrunk at all. Me however, I went from a C cup down to about an A. I swear they were bigger when I was 14 lol The great news about having hardly any breast is that I can wear outfits without a bra, no more strapless bras that are a pain anyway :)

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J.S.

answers from Cleveland on

I only nursed my first for 3 months (a total disaster) and did not see a change, but my second I nursed for 18 months, and she sucked away a whole cup size! Sadly now, I am going thru a move that I did not want to make, and am a stress driven eater and have put on about 10 pounds in 3 months, and am back to my original bra size - but all my other clothes are too tight - can we ever win??????????????

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