There are two ways to look at changes in the breast after breastfeeding: short-term and long-term. Short-term changes in the breast occur immediately after each feeding, while long-term changes affect the breast after nursing stops and the baby is weaned. Short-term changes primarily involve relief of pressure on the breast after breastfeeding has relieved engorgement. Long-term changes can include stretch marks, enlarged nipples, and sagging. Not all experienced women experience long-term changes and breasts can return to their pre-lactation shape and form within six to nine months after weaning.
The breasts often swell and feel swollen and firm, if not completely hard, before nursing as the breasts produce and fill with milk. As the baby suckles, the pressure is relieved and the breast after nursing is much softer. Shortly after finishing a feeding, there is often a tingling or mild burning sensation as the breast begins to make more milk in anticipation of the next feeding. Milk leaking from the breast after nursing is common and usually minimal, although this may continue for several months as the milk dries up after the baby is weaned.
It is common for women, especially new mothers, to have sore and cracked nipples after breastfeeding. This is temporary and is easily relieved by proper breast care after nursing. Applying lanolin or vitamin E immediately after a feed prevents the breasts from cracking and helps relieve previously cracked nipples. Severely sore nipples after breastfeeding are often the result of the baby latching on or taking off incorrectly. Proper positioning of the baby and changing sides will often reduce the chance of having overly sore and tender breasts after nursing.
Vitamin E oil and lanolin are also helpful in reducing the long-term effects of stretch marks that develop as a result of swollen and engorged breasts. While minor stretch marks are easier to treat, most stretch marks can at least be reduced with proper care. People with naturally smaller breasts can help reduce stretch marks by nursing more often or expressing milk between meals. Keeping your breasts from getting too swollen will also help prevent permanent stretch marks.
Permanent changes in the breast after breastfeeding stops often include enlarged nipples and sagging breasts. Long-term nipple size is generally determined by nipple size during lactation, and women who do not have enlarged nipples generally do not see a change in nipple size after weaning. Women who experience larger breasts during pregnancy and lactation usually return to normal after breastfeeding, although often with some degree of sagging. On rare occasions, women may find that their breasts after breastfeeding are smaller than their breasts before pregnancy.