Pregnancy is a transformative journey, and although a lot of attention goes to the changing belly, noticeable changes occur in the breasts. Did you know that breasts are the only organs that are not fully grown in an adult's body? And did you know that on average, women buy 8 bras during pregnancy and nursing period?

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We got to know Feelou, a female-founded startup that has developed a bra that can be worn throughout all phases of pregnancy, nursing, and beyond. We teamed up with them to learn more about the various stages of breast changes during pregnancy.

From Cup Now to Cup WOW

During the first trimester, hormonal changes kickstart the transformation. Many women notice their breasts becoming bigger and more sensitive as early as one to two weeks after conception. This increase in size and sensitivity is often one of the earliest signs of pregnancy. 

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Breasts at work

As pregnancy progresses into the second trimester, the breasts continue to grow. It’s common to go up a cup size or two during this period. This growth can cause the skin to stretch, leading to itchiness. 

In the third trimester, the breasts are preparing for milk production. Some women may notice a thick, yellowish discharge from the nipples called colostrum, which is the first milk that will nourish the newborn. The veins in the breasts may become more prominent as blood flow increases to support milk production.

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The 'Nipplefant' in the room

When pregnant, the nipples may become more sensitive to touch. The areolas, the darker area around the nipples, may also become larger and darker due to hormonal changes. Additionally, small, painless bumps called Montgomery’s tubercles may appear on the areolas. These glands produce oils that help lubricate the breasts and make breastfeeding easier.

“At Feelou, we notice that a lot of women really worry about their nipples. But changing nipples are totally normal. Fact is, every woman is different.” - Anne, a co-founder of Feelou.

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Postpartum: More breast changes to come…

After giving birth, breasts undergo further changes as they begin to produce milk. Initially, they produce colostrum, a nutrient-rich fluid essential for the newborn baby. Many women experience engorgement, where the breasts can become hard and painful due to the increased milk supply. After the first days, breasts continue to change during the day when you are breastfeeding. 

Feelou’s 5 Tips for an optimal Breast Journey during pregnancy

1. Know what to expect: Inform yourself by a lactation specialist in Mamamoon app, or a face-to-face courses.
2. Moisturize Regularly: To alleviate itchiness caused by stretching skin, use a nice skin balm.
3. Invest in a good bra. A soft and well-fitting bra can help manage discomfort and provide necessary support, so you have one less thing to worry about.
4. Wireless Pumping: We are totally in love with wireless breast pumps. You can easily wear these in the Feelou bra and continue to go about your business.  
5. Selflove = the best love: A lot of attention often goes to the newborn to come, but don’t forget yourself. Invest in yourself and embrace your changes. 

Pregnancy is a unique experience for every woman, and breast changes are just one part of this incredible journey. Embrace these changes as a sign of your body, and do not hesitate to invest in yourself. 

Want to know more? Download the Feelou Boob-O-Graphic here! Want to try the Feelou bra? Save your Unicorns in the Mamamoon app, and you can order with a 15% discount.

Who is Feelou?

Feelou is a Dutch sustainable startup founded by Anne and Noor. They experienced that breasts change constantly during and after pregnancy, which caused them to constantly search for good-fitting bras. This was expensive, uncomfortable, and unsustainable. Since a solution for this problem was not on the market, they started Feelou. 

The patented Feelou® maternity bra makes buying many bras redundant. After 1.5 years, we developed a unique closing system. The Feelou bra can handle 10cm in circumference growth and growth in 2-3 cup sizes. This is how we increase women's well-being and reduce waste worldwide. 

Always feel free to reach out if you have any more questions or need further information!

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Disclaimer: Consult a Healthcare Provider if you experience severe pain or any unusual symptoms, it’s important to seek medical advice.

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Breast changes during pregnancy - FAQs

Got some more questions? You might find your answer below ;)

How breasts change during pregnancy: a trimester breakdown

Pregnancy brings about many changes in a woman’s body, and the breasts are one of the first areas to show signs of transformation. These changes prepare the body for breastfeeding and often begin very early in pregnancy. Below is a breakdown of how breasts typically change during each trimester:

First Trimester: Early Signs of Pregnancy

The first trimester, spanning weeks 1 to 12 of pregnancy, often brings the earliest and most noticeable breast changes. This is largely due to a surge in hormones such as estrogen and progesterone.

1. Tenderness and Sensitivity: One of the earliest signs of pregnancy is sore, tender breasts. They may feel more sensitive to touch, making activities like exercise or even sleeping uncomfortable. This tenderness often resembles premenstrual breast pain but tends to be more intense.
2. Swelling and Fullness: As your body begins to adjust to the pregnancy, your breasts will start to swell and feel fuller. You may notice your bras fitting more snugly than before, prompting a need for more comfortable, supportive options.
3. Darkening of the Areolas: The area around the nipples, known as the areolas, will begin to darken. This is a normal part of pregnancy and is thought to help newborns more easily locate the nipple for breastfeeding.
4. Visible Veins: Increased blood flow during pregnancy often causes the veins in the breasts to become more prominent. This is part of the body’s preparation for milk production, ensuring an adequate supply of blood to nourish the breast tissue.

Second Trimester: Preparing for Lactation

During the second trimester (weeks 13 to 26), the initial discomfort of breast tenderness may start to subside for some women, though changes continue as your body ramps up for breastfeeding.

1. Growth in Size: Your breasts may continue to increase in size throughout the second trimester. It’s not uncommon for women to go up a full cup size or more during this time. This growth is a result of the development of the milk-producing glands and increased fat deposits.
2. Colostrum Production: Around this time, the breasts may begin producing colostrum, a thick, yellowish fluid that serves as the baby’s first food after birth. You might notice small amounts of colostrum leaking from your nipples, which is perfectly normal.
3. More Pronounced Nipples: Your nipples may become larger and more prominent during the second trimester. This change, along with the continued darkening of the areolas, further prepares the breasts for breastfeeding by making it easier for your newborn to latch on.
4. Montgomery Glands Enlargement: Small bumps around the areolas, known as Montgomery glands, may become more noticeable during this period. These glands secrete an oily substance that helps keep the nipples moisturized and protected during breastfeeding.

Third Trimester: Ready for Milk Production

The final trimester, from week 27 until birth, is when your breasts reach their peak in terms of preparing for lactation. By this time, many of the changes have set the stage for milk production.

1. Continued Growth and Fullness: Your breasts will continue to feel heavy and full as they reach their maximum size. For some women, the increase in breast size may level off, while others may notice more growth as delivery approaches.
2. Increased Leaking of Colostrum: As your body nears the end of pregnancy, it’s normal for colostrum leakage to become more frequent. This leakage might happen spontaneously, especially in the last few weeks before birth.
3. Nipple Sensitivity: Nipple sensitivity might increase again in the third trimester, as the body fine-tunes itself for breastfeeding. This can be due to the skin stretching further and hormonal fluctuations as you approach delivery.
4. Further Areola Darkening: The areolas might continue to darken even more in the final weeks of pregnancy. This heightened contrast helps newborns latch on to the nipple during breastfeeding.

Tips for Managing Breast Changes

• Comfortable Bras: Consider switching to supportive maternity bras that can accommodate the growth of your breasts and reduce discomfort.
• Breast Pads: If leaking colostrum becomes an issue, soft breast pads can be inserted into your bra to absorb any leakage and protect your clothing.
• Moisturizers: Use gentle, unscented moisturizers on your breasts to help with any itching caused by skin stretching.
• Massage: Light breast massages can help with tenderness and promote relaxation during your pregnancy.

These breast changes are a natural and essential part of your pregnancy journey, preparing your body to nourish and feed your baby postpartum. While the changes may sometimes feel uncomfortable or surprising, they serve an important role in your body’s adaptation to motherhood.

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