10/30/07

According to Brian Rinker, MD, a plastic surgeon at the University of Kentucky, breastfeeding doesnโ€™t cause breast sagging.

"Expectant mothers should be reassured that breastfeeding does not appear to have an adverse effect upon breast appearance," says Rinker.

Rinker and his colleagues interviewed 132 women who were seeking breast augmentation or a surgical lift for sagging breasts. The women were 39 years old, on average. The majorityโ€”93 patientsโ€”had had at least one pregnancy. Most of the momsโ€”58%โ€”had breastfed at least one child.

Rinkerโ€™s team noted the womenโ€™s medical history, body mass index, pre-pregnancy bra cup size, and smoking status.

"Breastfeeding does not adversely affect breast shape, beyond the effects of pregnancy alone," says Rinker.

However, the researchers note other factors that are linked to breast sagging:

โ€ข older age;

โ€ข cigarette smoking;

โ€ข larger pre-pregnancy bra cup size; and

โ€ข greater number of pregnancies.

Age and cigarette smoking hamper skinโ€™s elasticity, note the researchers.

[www.cbsnews.com, October 29, 2007]