quick clicks

babies today articles

babies today q&a

toddlers today articles

toddlers today q&a

breastfeed.com articles

breastfeed.com q&a

message boards

research baby names

prepare a birth plan

content channels

ip channel rss feeds

read birth stories

read parenting stories

recommended books

e-newsletters

safety recalls

ip diaries

ip store

mom of the month

dad of the month

editor's letter

letters to the editor

Expert Q&A

	By Melissa Clark Vickers International Board Certified Lactation Consultant Moms & Babies Huntingdon, Tenn.

If I'm flat chested, can I still nurse with no prolbems? Will my breasts get larger or smaller the more I breastfeed? - Penny, Orlando"

Hi, Penny,

The size of the breast has very little to do with whether you can successfully breastfeed. The difference between a large breast and a small one is usually the amount of fat in the breast, not the amount of milk-making tissue.

A positive sign to look for during pregnancy is the breast getting larger as the pregnancy progresses. This is a good indication that your breasts are gearing up for the job ahead. ""Getting larger"" is still relative, however, so a ""flat-chested"" mom might end up with more noticeable breasts by the end of the pregnancy.

Generally, the breasts will get the largest when the mature milk comes in (after 3-5 days or so), when there is also a lot of extra fluid in the breast. As nursing gets established so that the breasts are making what is needed, and as the extra fluid is gotten rid of, the breasts may get a little smaller. If your baby gradually weans himself, your breasts will gradually reduce in size. Once weaning is complete, your breasts will probably be a little bigger than they were before your baby came, but not a whole lot bigger.

Hope that helps!"

View more Q&A by this Expert