Your breasts may naturally look and feel different at different points in your menstrual cycle, during your period, while you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, or after menopause. Sometimes your breasts may feel tender, but they should not feel painful.
Knowing what your breasts feel like when you are healthy is important as it will help you to know when something isn’t quite right.
See a doctor immediately if you notice:
How to check your breasts
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Look and feel
Breasts naturally come in different sizes and shapes, and one breast may even be slightly larger than the other – this is normal.
When checking your breasts, the texture should be relatively similar throughout, with some natural lumpiness that feels similar on both sides. The skin on your breasts should appear smooth and even, without noticeable redness, irritation, or unusual skin texture changes.
Changes to your breasts
If you notice any changes to your breasts, but do not have breast pain, it is still important that you talk to your doctor so they can investigate further.
Nipples
Nipples can vary in size, colour and shape. They might stick out, lay flat, or be slightly inverted. There’s no single ‘ideal’ nipple appearance. What’s considered ‘normal’ is simply what’s typical for you.
Learn more about looking after your breasts or chest on the Brook website.
Nipple changes
If you notice any changes to your nipples, such as discharge, pulling in, change in direction, scaliness or an ulcer, talk to your doctor.
Breastfeeding
Your breasts typically change a lot when you’re breastfeeding. They can increase in size before your baby feeds and get smaller when milk is released. Your breasts may go back to their pre-pregnancy size when you finish breastfeeding, become slightly smaller or remain a bit bigger. The shape and texture of your breasts may also change due to stretching caused by milk flow.
Find out when to get help
Breastfeeding and diet
You don’t need to follow a special diet if you’re breastfeeding, but it’s a good idea to eat balanced, nutritious foods and drink plenty of water.
Eating fish is good for you and your baby – aim for two portions of fish a week, and no more than two portions of oily fish (like mackerel, sardines, trout and salmon) a week. One portion is 140g. (If not following a plant-based vegetarian or vegan lifestyle).
Breastfeeding pain
Because your breasts change a lot during breastfeeding, it can be difficult to know what’s normal. Pain during breastfeeding could be a sign of mastitis so it’s important you tell your midwife, nurse or doctor.
