Are They Ever Going to Shrink?

Updated on September 12, 2011
L.L. asks from Austin, MN
11 answers

Okay, I was always a 24/26 C before children. After this last child, I am a 38 E!!! So although it's nice to have big boobs (and I have been nursing for 16 months...they aren't "engorged" or full...this is just how they are now)...I am wondering if anyone has had this happen and if they ever go back to a more normal size. I'm really tired of having to buy shirts too big and dresses too big just to compensate for this. None of my clothes fit...nothing. Everything's too tight in the chest and way too big in the shoulders, etc.

Also, has anyone had luck with or found a brand that makes clothes specifically for this problem? I'm not really that big, all around...these days, I probably wear around a size 10 petite (I'm shortish)...

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So What Happened?

Actually, I really honestly do mean 24/26...I think! :) Before I had children I was a stick with a chest...honestly...weighed around 100 lbs and was 5'4"...very skinny. Back then I had to special order bras, usually. I gained 80 lbs with my first, only lost 45, and then gained back up to 180 with my second, and am only down to 160...but I have a feeling it's all in the chest and thighs. Ugh. :) It is frustrating to spend your life (until 24) being so petite and then at 30, being so...well...big. There's just no other way to put it. I realize I'm not really fat or anything...my husband cheers me up by saying "Yes, but you hold your figure"...hah...the other day I was going through totes in the basement and pulled out a pair of size 3 (in juniors) jeans I wore as an adult...and started thinking, you know, no matter what I do these will NEVER, EVER fit again. My body is ruined. I think I'm kind've depressed over it, actually...and maybe it's because I've lost hope in this body. I mean, I eat pretty well, I get plenty of exercise, my metabolism is still very good (I mean, on those off days where I eat half a jar of peanut butter slathered with chocolate syrup...and lately there's been a lot of those...) I don't GAIN weight, but I don't lose it...ugh, I'm just rambling!!!! Somebody stop me!!!

So, tailored, huh? Maybe it would be worth it to take my three favorite things and save up some money to have them done. I keep hoping things will change, though, and that the stores will quit selling peanut butter.

Lou...you read my mind!!! :)

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B.R.

answers from Allentown on

HA Ha you just posted on my post about implant. I am trying to make mine bigger and you want to go smaller. If we could just make an even switch how easy would that be..lol...Hope you get back to normal size soon. :)

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J.W.

answers from St. Louis on

Apparently when I was designed any and all weight goes to my boobs. Even when I am a size four my boobs stay a solid 32DD. I hate looking for fitted blouses! Before my kids I was a C.

My oldest is 23 so I have given up on ever seeing C again sans surgery.

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S.W.

answers from Minneapolis on

If you're still nursing, they may shrink more once you stop. I started as a 36A, went to a 40D nursing bra, then back down to a 36B.

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C.W.

answers from Shreveport on

I was a wonderful 34C from that age of about 12 to about 20...Silly me thought they were too big back then. Then at age 20 I got pregnant with my first son...yikes I jumped up to a 38 D or DD depending on the bra. They didn't go away after having my son even though I lost the 50 lbs I had gained with him.
Four yrs later got pregnant with my second son. I jumped up to a 40DD and stayed there.
Most times the best thing to do is spend a bit of money to have items that fit in the chest tailored to fit the rest of you. You can also shop online.

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A.K.

answers from Phoenix on

Unfortunately, mine have gotten bigger after every pregnancy. I will be looking into a reduction.

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T.C.

answers from Dallas on

I can so relate to what you're saying! Mine got a lot bigger, and I have a rough time getting shirts that will fit all of me. And while I am a good weight, my belly muscles are so stretched out that even exercises don't fix it. So, I have to pick shirts that flatter my belly (not too tight) and fit my boobs, and try to find ones that will then fit my shoulders (much smaller). I have had very little luck.

If you were a 24/26 C and now you're a 38, I'm guessing you've added a little bit of weight since having your babies (sounds like healthy weight!)? If so, you might not go back down to what you were before unless you go back to the same weight. But once you stop nursing completely, they will likely go down to a smaller size.

It's amazing what having babies can do! Good luck.

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R.J.

answers from Seattle on

This is why I wear camisoles all the time!!! The only shirts that aren't stretch (that I own) are custom made or altered (you buy BIG, and then for $5-$10 the seamstress cuts them down for you).

I was a 36DD to start with and went up to god only knows what size (bigger than my head). Am now a 36DDDD or 38DDD.

I went down to a J or I after about 6mo of nursing... but didn't get back down to my original size ever, although the DDD(f) or DDDD(g) is close enough.

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C.O.

answers from Washington DC on

I think you mean 34/36 not 24!!! :)

I never lost my boobs...some women do - when I was nursing - I went to a 38G and mama mia!!! that was heavy!!!

I went back down to a 38DD after I stopped having babies...

I love the "womans" department - they have ROOM for the girls!!!! :)

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A.G.

answers from Houston on

Same story with me, i was a 34 c and went to exactly that, a 38 E!....i know e is so scary. After working out quite a bit they went down to a DD,, now only a D.

I love them this size.......now if i could only figure out this tummy thing after i have this baby.

I kept those E's for about 2 1/2 years after my last child.,,,,,oh and your'e right, you likely wont fit into those 3's again. Give them away and set a realistic goal. (3 is too small anyway, i know, i was there in my early 20s too)

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A.C.

answers from Madison on

Before daughter I was a 36C. After daughter I was a 38D. While I was pregnant and the little bit of nursing I did, I got huge--like a 40F or something like that. My mom had to buy me a couple bras at a special place because I couldn't find anything where I live.

Weightwise, I was 135 lbs before kid and am now about 148 lbs--11 years after having my daughter. I was also smaller before kid--wore 7/8 jeans, but now wear 8, 10, or 12, depending on manufacturer. I have a little bit of tummy that I need to get serious about--it's mostly loose flubby muscle that, I think, if I can get it toned and strengthed, my tummy will look a lot better.

Overall, though, I'm okay with my tummy--and my body--post-Mommy. I only had one child, though, but I gained something like 75 pounds while pregnant, a majority of that water weight, as I had high blood pressure/edema. In fact, I got back down to very close to my pre-pregnancy weight after birth. Those few pounds I have now have slowly crept up on me over the years.

I know very, very few people who go back to their pre-pregnancy sizes--on anything. You just need to roll with the punches and accept your new shape. And the best part of not being ultra skinny anymore--being able to eat what you want without killing yourself with self-guilt. I'm not talking about pigging out or stuffing your face all day long--I mean having a sundae or a candy bar or something once in a while without being guilty.

It's nice not having to constantly worry about every thing I eat or drink or every little roll on my body. My husband loves me the way I am, and really, that's what matters.

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J.S.

answers from Minneapolis on

Well - are you still nursing, or are you done? My boobs went from 34 B to a 38DDD with my first.. Then I went on to have 2 more babies in the next 3 years and they stayed giant throughout the whole thing.... then I weaned my daughter....

NOW my boobs are a sad and droopy 34 B again... I should probably go in and see, they may even be smaller than that.

Once you wean, you may find that they shrink again, but honey, you will never look like you didi before you had babies. It's part of being a mom.

J.

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