The breasts are an important organ of the body which plays a crucial role in certain body processes beyond their aesthetic appeal. Apart from their role in breastfeeding, they also have an impact on the female hormones. Unfortunately the media focus on larger, firmer breasts have placed undue pressure on many women, either with small breasts or sagging breasts.

Herbal Breast Enhancement

Herbal breast enhancement products promise breast enlargement and firming with no side effects. Firstly, the idea that a herbal product is always a safe product is unfounded. Herbal products are derived from plant source but are still pharmacologically active substances. This means that they have a chemical effect on the body. Secondly, most herbal products do not adhere to the same strict regulations governing the pharmaceutical industry. This means that there is no product testing, clinical trials or legislation binding the manufacturer and distributor to market their product only based on results derived from research studies.

Ultimately you use these products at your own risk and you cannot hold the manufacturer or distributor liable for any complications that may arise from the use of the product.

Breast Enlargement Creams and Pills

Most herbal breast enlargement products are available as creams or pills (tablets and capsules). These products aim at increasing breast size by one of the following methods :

• Increasing blood flow to the area.
• Delivering hormone-like compounds (derivatives of estrogen) to the breast.
• Causing swelling to the breast by applying irritants and with the aid of massage.

If moderate breast enlargement is noted, it will often be short term. Once the product is stopped, the breast will usually return to their original size.

Possible Complications of Herbal Breast Enhancement Products

Herbal breast enlargement products can cause the following effects :

• Itching and skin rashes on the breast.
• Changes of the menstrual cycle.
• Changes in breast milk production in women who are lactating.
• Nipple discharge.
• Breast pain, swelling and tenderness.

Natural Breast Growth

Young women and teenage girls are more likely to buy herbal breast enhancement products as a means of increasing their bust size without having to undergo breast augmentation.  Always consult with your doctor before considering any breast enlargement product as it can affect your reproductive health or even increase the risk of breast cancer. It is important to bear in mind that in the teens and early adulthood, the breast size can still increase with age.

In adult women, breast augmentation could be an option for increasing the bust size but this should be only be done after careful consideration as breast surgery also has a host of complications. Rather wait for natural breast growth over time and do not use untested products for increasing your bust size. Women with a history of breast cancer should not use herbal breast enlargement products as there is a possibility of recurrence of a tumor.

Reducing Baby’s Breastfeeding

After the age of one, your baby will be drinking less breast milk as they derive most of their nutrition from food. Breastfeeding around bedtime and upon waking may still be part of baby’s daily schedule and this contributes to the emotional bond between mother and child. However if baby is attempting to derive most of their nutrition from breast milk then steps need to be taken to discourage this behavior. Breast milk may not be adequate to sustain a growing child at this age and if the toddler is averse to food, you should consult with a pediatrician to discuss the matter further.

‘Cold Turkey’ Breastfeeding

If you are planning to stop breastfeeding, then going ‘cold turkey’ may be the best option. A baby or toddler cannot understand that they will only get breast milk at certain times if they have been previously used to being breastfed whenever they demanded. It may be a bit of an upset, with a lot of tears and power plays, but once your baby realizes that you will not relent, he/she will have to succumb. Of course, it is not advisable to shun your baby because you have stopped breastfeeding. Find other activities to ensure that you baby does not feel neglected as they may misunderstand your efforts of holding back breast milk as emotional rejection.

Bottle Feeding in Place of Breast

The debate continues to rage as to whether babies should be switched from breastfeeding to bottle feeding as a means of being weaned off breast milk. Bottle feeding should only be considered if your baby is still too young to drink from a cup or straw and has rejected the breast. Alternatively, bottle feeding may be necessary for those working mothers who have to return to their career but their baby may not be at the age to give up suckling. If you have to bottle feed, do not always choose a baby milk formula. If you can express your breast milk and store it for baby’s drinking at a later stage, then this should be encouraged. In the event that this is not viable, then a baby formula will suffice but speak to your pediatrician and carefully select the brand and type of baby formula.

Breast Milk to Fruit Juice

Another common practice that should be discouraged is switching a toddler to bottle feeds of fruit juice as a means of weaning the child off breast milk. This is never advisable as fruit juice can be detrimental to the child’s newly formed teeth. Tooth cavities, weak and brittle teeth, as well as a range of gastrointestinal symptoms, like indigestion and diarrhea, can be triggered by an excessive intake of fruit juice.

Breast size and shape is a common concern for breastfeeding mothers since there are many fallacies surrounding drooping breasts linked to breastfeeding myths. Unfortunately, many new mothers today opt not to breastfeed out of fear that weaning their child will ultimately lead to drooping breasts, and that firming after breastfeeding cannot be corrected without surgery. This reduction in breastfeeding globally has significantly contributed to infant mortality. The World Health Organization estimates that globally, some 1.4 million children would not die in the first year of life if their mothers chose to breastfeed.

Cause of Breast Drooping and Firming

In breastfeeding women, the breast is primarily composed of ‘milk glands’ that empty into lactiferous ducts, which secrete milk through the nipple. Connective tissue, adipose (fat tissue) and ligaments known as Cooper’s ligaments play an important part in the size, shape and firmness of the breast.

Fat plays an important part in providing an energy supply for milk production and contrary to popular belief, it is not the sole reason for larger breasts in breastfeeding women. The enlargement of the milk glands and lactiferous ducts is what contributes to the larger breast size, which is also the reason why the breasts slightly decrease in size once the milk content empties. However there is an increased fat concentration within the breasts of lactating women.

The connective tissue, composed of elastin and collagen, coupled with the Cooper’s ligaments maintain the firmness of the breast. However, the action of gravity and stretching by enlarged breasts in lactating women, will stretch the ligaments and connective tissue and hamper firmness. This ‘hanging’ breast image associated with long term breastfeeding is known as Cooper’s droop, named after the Cooper’s ligaments.

Breast Support for Breastfeeding

Nursing bras should be selected carefully as they have multiple functions for both breast health and convenience for the mother. A good nursing bra will :

1. Allow for the convenience of  easy exposure of the nipple for baby to drink.
2. Ensure comfort of the breast by allowing for varying size and weight of the breast.
3. Provides support to maintain breast firmness and prevent or limit drooping.

Milk contained within the breast of lactating women stretches the connective tissue of the breast. The action of gravity on the engorged and heavy breast will add further strain on the Cooper’s ligaments. Over time, both the connective tissue and Cooper’s ligaments cannot continue to maintain breast firmness due to prolonged stretching. This leaves the breast  flabby and drooping, with layers of loose skin.

Breast Size, Shape and Firmness after Breastfeeding

To a certain degree, the breasts will restore its shape and size after breastfeeding. However in women over 35 years, this is less likely to occur due to age-related changes coupled with the effects of breastfeeding. Within days of discontinuing breastfeeding, the size will significantly diminish. After a few weeks, and with a good support bra, some of the drooping will reduce. Two to three months after breastfeeding, any extra or sagging skin will noticeably diminish to the point that there is some firmness of the breast. A complete resolution of drooping breasts is not possible, just as the areola and nipple size will never return to the state that it was prior to the first pregnancy.

Surgery may also be considered to help correct the drooping and size of the breast after discontinuing breastfeeding. This breast augmentation surgery will drastically reform the breast but should not be considered for the first 6 months after discontinuing breastfeeding as natural processes may correct much of the drooping.

After becoming pregnant, the tissue is released to allow for lactation, in turn making it possible to breastfeed. Once breastfeeding has not been done for some time, tissue grows behind the nipple duct again, keeping nipple discharge from happening.

The most common reason for nipple discharge if not pregnant, is due to fondling or sucking of the breasts as well as irritation from clothing while being active. Drugs and hormone supplements are known to produce nipple discharge spontaneously and pituitary tumors can produce a milky nipple discharge.

This happens because a hormone that is produced by the pituitary gland is what triggers lactation in women when they are pregnant. If the pituitary gland is not normal in any way, it can effect lactation, therefore expressing nipple discharge when it is least expected.

A white or milky but non sticky nipple discharge would be seen in the previously mentioned scenarios. If a bloody or watery nipple discharge is experienced, it could mean that it is due to an infection.

This type of discharge could also mean you are dealing with a benign condition such as pilloma. Pilloma is a tumor that is not cancerous but is located inside the breast duct. Multiple pillomas could be present, in turn leaving you with an abnormal looking discharge.

Some nipple discharge could mean a cancerous tumor, but the discharge is almost always seen only on one breast. When nipple discharge is seen on both breasts, it almost always means a benign condition.

Although there are only a handful of reasons a woman would experience discharge, it is important to keep these in mind when trying to determine the cause of the lactation. Not only do hormone imbalances and pituitary issues cause this but sedatives, tranquilizers, and even birth control pills can affect nipple discharge.

It is important to seek medical advice when determining why lactation is present unexpectedly, as it would be almost impossible to determine this reason on your own!

Many women treat their engorged breasts by using ice packs in between feedings and applying heat and massaging the breast to express a small amount of breast milk just before feeding time.

However, if your breasts are overproducing breast milk, the breast pump is the best treatment to relieve your symptoms. A breast pump is simply a device used to extract milk from the breasts.

The milk extracted can be stored overnight to feed the infant the next day or you may simply extract enough milk to relieve the breasts and allow the infant to latch onto the breast properly.

Using the breast pump will relieve the pressure in the breast. However, if your infant has a difficult time with breastfeeding, you can certainly use the breast pump and feed your infant the breast milk in a bottle.

There are many types and styles of breast pumps on the market today. Some breast pumps are manual where you will control the pressure to relieve your breast of an overabundance of breast milk.

Others are electric or battery-operated which may be quicker and more efficient. Some main considerations when choosing a breast pump may include cost, efficiency, how easy it is to use, the size for easy portability, and noise level of the machine.

The important thing to remember is that every woman will have their own preference when it comes to the breast pump. Extracting breast milk with the use of a breast pump is quite easy to do thanks to the invention of the breast pump.

The breast pump has made things easier for the working woman, allowing her the option to feed her infant breast milk. Moreover, women no longer have to suffer from breast engorgement and no longer have to try to extract their breast milk by hand.

Myth #1 – A lot of women cannot produce enough milk for her baby.

False! Most women do have enough of a milk supply. If the baby is not gaining weight adequately or is actually losing weight, it is usually because they are not latching onto the breast properly. While the mother is still in the hospital after the birth, it is important that she take advantage of the services of a lactation consultant to ensure that the baby can and will be able to feed properly.

Myth #2 – Breast milk will go bad if the baby does not/cannot nurse for a few days.

False! Unlike cow’s milk which can sour within a few days if not consumed, breast milk is protected and not exposed to outside elements which could cause it to go bad. The breast milk will be just as good a few days later as now.

Myth #3 – Mothers who have had cosmetic breast surgery cannot breast feed a baby.

Another falsehood! Many women who have had breast augmentation or reduction have gone on to nurse their babies. It is important for women to consider the possibility of nursing future children when going for cosmetic breast surgery as some procedures do reposition the nipple and areola. If this is the case, then in some instances, breast feeding can be inhibited.

Myth #4 – Moms who breast feed have to follow strict diets and not consume alcohol or spicy food.

False! For the most part, the body digests and processes all the food a mom eats before the body makes breast milk. An occasional glass of wine or even a beer would not hurt a nursing baby. Little alcohol is passed through breast milk. The same goes for the spicy foods. Some people do claim that mothers who consume gassy foods like beans or broccoli will have a greater chance of having a baby develop colic. However, there is no conclusive research that supports the theory.

Myth #5 – Breast feeding is a great alternative for birth control.

False! There have been quite a few nursing babies who got a little brother or sister less than a year later. While in many instances ovulation is suppressed during breast feeding; only abstinence will ensure that no little surprises happen. Nursing mothers can safely take low dose birth control pills without harming their baby.

But on the opposite end of the spectrum, some women want a breast reduction surgery in order to make their body look better. A breast reduction surgery is exactly what it sounds like.

It is when a surgeon removes some of the tissue and skin from the breasts in order to reduce the size. The surgery is not very complicated, and is usually deemed safe. The surgeon will make an incision around the areola that runs down to where the breasts meet the torso.

At this point the surgeon will remove some of the excess skin and tissue. The breasts are then pulled down and together to reduce the size. After the surgery the breasts are wrapped up.

Gauze is placed over the incisions, and the breasts themselves are wrapped in an elastic bandage for support. In some cases, small tubes may also be in place for drainage purposes.

In the majority of cases, pain will occur for the first couple of days after surgery. This is normal and should be expected. Anywhere from one to three weeks after the surgery, the stitches will then be removed.

After a month or so, the patient should be able to resume normal activity with clearance from their doctor. There are a few risks that go along with a breast reduction surgery. The risks include scaring, unevenly position nipples, and loss of feeling in the breasts among others.

Your doctor will be able to go over all of the risks with you, and give you a breakdown on what to expect. Breast reduction surgery is not complicated, but just like any surgery there are a lot of details that go into it.

If you are thinking about having a breast reduction surgery, make sure that you do the appropriate amount of research so that you know exactly what to expect.

Silicone implants are said to have a more natural feel that is similar to actual breast tissue. Silicone is a popular material that is used not only for breast augmentation but also for implants in many other parts of the body.

However, before choosing silicone implants, there are some important factors to consider. Breasts implants can become ruptured or damaged. When this occurs, it is often very hard to detect with silicone implants.

Unlike saline implants which actually deflate when they become ruptured, silicone implants often maintain their shape and appearance. The gel from the implants will slowly leak into other areas of the breast and may take a long time before the patient actually notices a difference.

Capsular contracture, a complication of breast surgery, is more common in silicone implants. When capsular contracture occurs, the pocket or lining for the implant tightens and the breasts feel extremely firm or hardened.

The appearance of the breasts may change too; often they look much rounder or unnatural in shape. Depending on the severity of the case, patients with this condition may experience much pain and discomfort.

Saline implants are composed of a silicone outer layer that is filled with saline to achieve increased breast size. There are two types of saline implants available for women who are considering breast augmentation.

The first type is referred to as a “fixed volume implant”. The entire amount of saline is placed into the silicone shell to achieve the desired cup size. The second type of implant is called an “adjustable volume implant”.

Saline is inserted into the implant in the initial surgery but the amount can be adjusted afterwards if necessary. Saline implants are considered to be the safest type of breast augmentation for women. If problems occur with the implants, they can be detected and repaired almost immediately.

Currently saline implants are the more popular choice for breast augmentation. They are considered to be the safer alternative and are much easier to repair if damage occurs. However, some women still choose to have silicone implants because of their more natural feel.

If you are considering breast augmentation, it is best to schedule a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon who can explain the available options to you. Breast implants come in a variety of sizes and shapes but there are some limitations.

Some women may actually require multiple surgeries before they are able to attain their desired cup size. You will want to discuss your personal needs and the risks involved with surgery beforehand.

Breast enhancement surgery is a major alteration to your body that should not be performed without careful consideration beforehand. Patients that know what to expect and understand the risks involved are much more likely to be happy with their results after surgery.

Herbal breast enhancements are a natural way to get the shape you desire. There are a number of breast enhancements pills available on the market, but not all will have the same results.

When choosing a breast enhancement pill, you should look for one that includes the following herbs: fennel, Blessed Thistle, Fenugreek, Dong Quai, Saw Palmetto, Damiana, and Mexican Wild Yam.

The pills are typically taken twice a day and results can usually be noticed within a month of starting treatment. It is a good idea to refrain from drinking caffeine when taking the tablets.

Caffeine can greatly reduce the effectiveness of the pills and is known to cause breast pain and tenderness in some women. Breast enhancement creams are also a popular way to increase bust size.

They can be used in addition to breast enhancement pills or after taking the pills to maintain the achieved results. Breast creams contain a lot of the same ingredients included in the tablets but usually in a lesser concentration.

Many of the creams available may not increase size significantly but are more likely to firm the breasts and improve overall appearance. They are often used by women after pregnancy to help regain their figure.

Exercise is one of the least expensive ways to improve the shape of your breasts. By exercising on a regular basis, you breasts will maintain a youthful appearance and stay firm. The exercises will enhance your breast by increasing the size of the muscles located underneath the breast.

Any type of exercise that works the chest muscles will help to improve the overall appearance of your breasts. Popular exercises to improve breast shape are push-ups and bench presses. In addition, it helps to do exercises that improve your posture.

By standing up straight your breasts will appear larger and have a firmer appearance. There are also a number of special bras available that can improve the appearance of your breasts. Some are rather expensive but provide an instant improvement to the appearance of your bust.

When choosing a bra, the most important thing to look for is comfort. If you will be wearing the bra for several hours a day, this is especially important. Be sure to actually try on the product before purchasing it.

Many women make the mistake of ordering a bra online through a catalog and are disappointed when it does not fit properly or is extremely uncomfortable. Breast enhancement doesn’t have to include cosmetic surgery.

There are lots of options for women today who either can’t afford or don’t wish to have breast implants. By trying a number of products or exercises, you can decide what works best for you. Best of all, most of these treatments won’t cost you a bundle to use.

Now they have options to regain those supple, firm breasts of their younger years. Breast augmentation and breast lifts are two of the most common cosmetic surgical procedures for women.

And while the preparation and recovery times for both surgeries can be similar, it is the results that can be vastly different. The breast lift, also known as mastoplexy, does not change the size of your breasts.

Rather, the breasts are raised and the contours reshaped to eliminate sagging and restore a more youthful, perky appearance. During your breast lift surgery, the cosmetic surgeon relocates the position of your nipples and areola.

The excess, sagging skin is excised from underneath your breasts. This tightens the rest of the skin and provides the lift. For the most part, scars are minimal and usually located underneath the breasts where it is less likely to be seen.

For breast augmentation, also known as augmentation mammoplasty, the entire look of your breasts changes. That is, implants are used to increase your bust line. There are numerous reasons why women might have breast augmentation.

For one, they might have had a mastectomy due to breast cancer and the augmentation is part of their reconstructive surgery. Some ladies have asymmetrical breasts and an augmentation is one way to even up the size of a breast in proportion to the other.

Or, the woman just is tired of her small bust line and wants to gain another cup size or two in her bra. Many times, breast augmentation is done in conjunction with a breast lift. With the insertion of implants, the skin might stretch a little too much to accommodate the bigger breast size.

So rather than have to go in for a breast lift at a later date, the procedure is often done at the same time as the augmentation. Some people get breast augmentations and breast lifts confused with one another.

However, there is a simple way to keep them straight. Just think of breast lifts as being “a hand up” and breast augmentation as being a “hand out.” Or to be more literal, keep in mind that augmentation means “adding to,” and with a breast augmentation, something is definitely being added – a noticeable bust line!