Pregnancy & Baby 

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Keep ‘em up: breastcare in pregnancy

One thing’s for sure: pregnancy increases bust size. Clare Byam Cook with a little TLC for your bigger breasts

Starting off with the bad news, I’m afraid it’s true that pregnancy changes breast shape – and not usually for the better. Most women find that their breasts end up slightly smaller and less firm than they were. Worrying about this doesn’t resolve the problem, but it may be comforting to know that this change in breast shape isn’t all down to breastfeeding. It has to be said, though, that the longer a mother breastfeeds, the more her breasts are likely to change in shape and size. Hopefully, you’ll feel this is a small price to pay for the benefits your baby will derive from breast milk.

On the plus side, those of you with small breasts will be pleased to hear that virtually every woman notices an immediate increase in bust size, as soon as pregnancy gets going, and your newly enlarged breasts will be there until you stop breastfeeding – one good reason to feed as long as possible.The biggest increase in breast size usually takes place in the first three months

You can’t predict what will happen to your breasts during pregnancy. Some women develop enormous breasts within the first few weeks, and carry on getting bigger and bigger over the months. Others get a bit bigger initially, and then notice little further change. If you have very small breasts, it’s not essential to wear a bra during pregnancy, but it’s probably a good idea to wear one as your bust increases, to avoid the risk of stretch marks. The larger the breasts, the more important it is to keep them well supported, to prevent the ligaments being stretched – too much stretching will eventually result in saggy breasts.

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