How to Prevent Breast Sagging After Pregnancy
Sagging breasts are a common concern for a pregnant woman. Unfortunately, sagging breasts are in a large part genetic. It is also normal for breast tissue to sag with age, regardless of whether a woman ever gives birth. This doesn't mean that preventing or slowing down the process of breast sagging is impossible. In fact, women can do several things to keep their breasts perky for as long as possible.
Step 1
Wear supportive undergarments during your pregnancy. Protecting the breasts from sagging begins before the baby is born. As your pregnancy progresses, your breasts will become larger. Keep up with their growth by purchasing larger bras. Staying with an ill-fitting bra is uncomfortable and will not provide your breasts with proper support.
Step 2
Monitor your weight gain during pregnancy. According to the Mayo Clinic, weight gain of between 25 to 35 pounds is the right amount for someone who is a healthy weight when she becomes pregnant. Someone who is underweight should gain more, while someone who is overweight should gain less. While it is not a good idea to go on a calorie-restricted diet while pregnant, think carefully before eating ice cream, cookies or other low-nutrient, high-calorie foods. Excess weight gain spreads throughout the body, including the breasts. The larger they become during pregnancy, the more they can sag later on, because of the excess weight and the stretched skin.
Step 3
Keep your skin well moisturized. Keeping the skin well moisturized can keep it stay pliable and rebound from stretching a little easier. While there are many creams and lotions specifically directed at pregnant women, any moisturizing cream will benefit your skin.
Step 4
After you give birth, invest in new bras. If you are nursing, expect to go through several sizes. When your baby is young and nursing frequently, your breasts will probably remain relatively large. As your baby develops a regular schedule and begins to add solid food to his diet, your breast will begin to return to their pre-pregnancy size. If you are not breast-feeding, don't expect your breasts to return to normal immediately. You may be able to go straight from your maternity bras to your pre-pregnancy ones, but it is best to buy a different size that provides proper support.
Step 5
Lose pregnancy weight at a moderate pace. While it is tempting to whittle away those pregnancy pounds as quickly as possible, losing the weight slowly has many benefits. Not only is it less frustrating and stressful, it may improve the look of your skin. Losing weight slowly allows the skin to bounce back from its previously stretched position at a moderate pace.
Step 6
Lift weights to strengthen the muscles that support the chest and back. Exercising not only helps you lose weight and relieve stress, but it also can strengthen the muscles that support the breast tissue, making them appear perkier, and the muscles in the back, helping you to stand up straighter. Both of these improve the look of your breasts. Wear a well-fitted, snug, high-impact sports bra.
Things You'll Need
Well-fitted bras
Moisturizer
Weights
Tip
Be patient. Your body will not revert to its pre-pregnancy shape overnight.
Warning
Don't be tempted to pay a lot of money for creams or lotions that promise instant results.
