Having Problem Reclaiming Your Curves Post Weaning?

Have you noticed your breasts becoming less firm or losing their original shape after weaning?

The journey of breastfeeding has several side effects, but what follows this has rarely been talked about. Almost 73-75% of women experience a noticeable change in their breasts after weaning (Masters, 2022). Though this is completely natural, it has a major impact on how women feel about their bodies.

The period when a mother initiates switching her child’s diet from breast milk to other fluids and foods is called weaning, while post-weaning period refers to the time when mothers stop feeding their child with their breast milk (Nih.gov., 2017). 

The best part is that with proper care, especially massage, your body will be able to regain firmness, balance, and confidence.

During pregnancy and breastfeeding, the size of the breasts increases, adding weight. This added weight causes stretching of the ligaments known as Cooper’s ligaments (Cronkleton, 2018). These are the ligaments that provide structural support to the breast.

When weaning is initiated and the milk production stops, the breast undergoes another transformation. The milk-filled glands shrink and are replaced by softer breast tissue, affecting the shape and volume.  

Breast care after weaning is not just about aesthetics; it is about assisting the body to heal, readjust and rejuvenate after the process of breastfeeding. Breast massage is an integral part of this process.

• Improves Firmness and Tone:

During the weaning phase, the breast tends to lose some of its natural firmness, and the tissue tends to stretch. Massage helps to stimulate the underlying breast tissue, and this helps to improve the tone and firmness of the breast. The breast becomes firmer and slightly lifted.  

• Supports Natural Reshaping: 

After the weaning period, the breasts may look asymmetrical and deflated and even saggy due to the change in the internal structure of the breasts (Ryan and Marianne, 2024). Massage can help improve blood circulation and promote the even distribution of fatty and connective tissues. This process can help the breasts regain a more even and natural look rather than an asymmetrical look.

• Enhances Skin Elasticity: 

The skin is stretched considerably during pregnancy and breastfeeding, and this may affect its elasticity. Massage, especially with oil, rejuvenates the skin and increases circulation, hence improving collagen production and skin elasticity (Ryan and Marianne, 2024). The skin, therefore, becomes smooth, soft, and flexible, hence reducing the signs of skin sagging.

• Detoxifies and Relieves Discomfort: 

While the baby is being weaned, women may experience mild feelings of heaviness, tightness, or fluid retention in the breasts. Massage can assist the lymphatic system, which is in charge of eliminating toxins from the body. This can assist in relieving puffiness, tenderness, and producing a feeling of lightness in the breasts.

• Encourages Relaxation and Self-Care:

 While the physical benefits of breast massage are clear, the emotional benefits are just as important, particularly in the post-weaning stage, which can be a very transitional time in a woman’s life. In addition, the self-care benefits of breast massage can encourage women to become more aware of their body, helping them relax and become comfortable in the new stage of life.

Using the right oils can significantly enhance the benefits of massage. Natural oils deeply nourish the skin and improve results. 

Here is a list of some most widely used oils to care for your breasts post-weaning: 

• Coconut Oil: 

Coconut oil is a simple and effective choice for post-weaning breast care. Its deep moisturizing properties help restore hydration, improve skin softness, and support elasticity after breastfeeding, making it ideal for gentle breast massage (Suryawanshi and Devi, 2025). 

• Almond Oil: 

Almond oil is a gentle, nourishing choice for post-weaning breast massage. Rich in vitamin E and fatty acids, it helps moisturize, improve elasticity, and reduce dryness, while its smooth texture supports easy massage and better circulation for improved firmness (Hosseini, Keramaty and Naeiny, 2016). 

• Olive Oil: 

Olive oil is an effective option for post-weaning breast massage. Its emollient and anti-inflammatory properties help soothe tenderness, soften tissues, and reduce discomfort, while antioxidants support hydration and overall skin health (Suryawanshi and Devi, 2025). 

• Lavender Essential Oil (Diluted): 

Lavender oil is a soothing addition to post-weaning breast massage. Its calming and anti-inflammatory properties help ease tenderness, promote relaxation, and support gentle recovery (Tampubolon, Margono and Retnaningsih, 2021). 

• Vetiver Essential Oil (Diluted): 

This oil is a calming option for post-weaning care. Its grounding and skin-rejuvenating properties help improve elasticity, hydration, and firmness, while supporting relaxation and recovery. 

• Grapefruit Essential Oil (Diluted):

Grapefruit oil is a revitalizing choice for post-weaning breast care. It helps energize the skin, enhance circulation, and support a firmer, more refined appearance, while aiding in reducing heaviness and improving overall tone.  

The post-weaning changes in breasts are a part of being a mother, and while that does not mean that one should simply overlook them, one should know that with proper care, especially through massage, one’s breasts can regain their firmness, tone, and shape.

Breast massage should be thought of not just as a solution, but as a ritual, one that will help one heal, feel more confident, and more comfortable with one’s new self. 

• Clevelandclinic.org., 2023. 6 benefits of breast massage (and how to get started today), Cleveland Clinic. Available at: https://health.clevelandclinic.org/breast-massage?utm_source=chatgpt.com
• Cronkleton, E. (2018) Cooper’s ligaments: Exercises to avoid sagging breasts and more, Healthline. Available at: https://www.healthline.com/health/coopers-ligaments
• Hosseini, S.E., Keramaty, F. and Naeiny, K.S., 2016. A comparative study of massage with lavender (Lavandula) essential oil and almond oil on pain relief after cesarean operation in primiparous women. Medical Journal of Tabriz University Of Medical Sciences, 38(2), pp.22-27. https://mj.tbzmed.ac.ir/Article/9992
• Masters, M., 2022. Breast changes after breastfeeding, What to Expect. Available at: https://www.whattoexpect.com/first-year/breastfeeding/breasts-after-breastfeeding/#:~:text=Once%20your%20baby%20starts%20on,to%20be%20affected%20by%20breastfeeding
• Nih.gov., 2017. What is weaning and how do I do it?, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. Available at: https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/breastfeeding/conditioninfo/weaning
• Pevzner, H., 2024. 7 ways your breasts change after breastfeeding, TheBump.com - Pregnancy, Parenting and Baby Information. Available at: https://www.thebump.com/a/breasts-after-breastfeeding
• Ryan, B. and Marianne, W., 2024. The Benefits of Breast Massage: A Qualitative Study. Global Journal of Health Science. Vol. 16, No. 5. Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/381000730_The_Benefits_of_Breast_Massage_A_Qualitative_Study
• Suryawanshi, M.S.S. and Devi, N.S., 2025. A comparative study to assess the effectiveness of olive oil versus coconut oil on breast engorgement among postnatal mothers admitted in selected hospitals of Pune city. Vascular and Endovascular Review, 8(7s), pp.64-68. https://verjournal.com/index.php/ver/article/view/579
• Tampubolon, C.E., Margono, M. and Retnaningsih, Y., 2021. Breast Massage Using Lavender Oil To Increase Breast Milk Production Of Breastfeeding Mothers. Interest: Jurnal Ilmu Kesehatan, pp.84-91. https://jurnalinterest.com/index.php/int/article/view/332