Why Do I Have Sore And Itchy Boobs During Pregnancy?

1. What Causes Sore And Itchy Boobs During Pregnancy?

• Hormones

There are lots of reasons why you've got 'breast stress' and sore and itchy boobs during your pregnancy, mama. When pregnant, your hormones go crazy and when this happens it can trigger all sorts of symptoms including itchy boobs. Although it might be driving you mad, it is incredibly common and many fellow mama's experience this.

• Eczema

Another common culprit of sore and itchy boobs during pregnancy is eczema. This can cause cracked, dry, chapped and red scaly patches of skin to appear on your breasts along with other parts of your body.

• Skin Stretching

It might be obvious, but as your little one (ones?) grows inside you so do you and your skin begins to stretch to help make room for your baby to develop. Stretch marks can appear anywhere on the body but throughout your pregnancy you may develop them on your hips, bum, tummy and boobs (the girls can double in size). When they appear, this can cause the skin to become itchy and you might feel a burning or tingling sensation.

Stretch marks are completely normal though and you shouldn't feel like you have to hide them, mama! Think of them as little reminders of your pregnancy journey. You can't get rid of stretch marks, but overtime they normally fade to a lighter colour and you may not even notice that you have them.

2. Can itchy Boobs Be A Sign Of Pregnancy?

For a lot of mamas, changes to your boobs can be a sign that you're pregnant. A lot of breast changes such as sore and itchy boobs, swelling and breast fullness can begin early in your pregnancy.

Itchy and sore boobs might just be a sign of PMS and that aunt flow is just around the corner. But, if you have a missed period and your girls are itching like hell, take a pregnancy test and you might find out that you're expecting!

3. How Do I Treat Sore And Itchy Boobs During Pregnancy?

Want the good news, mama? There's lots of things that you can do to keep your boobs soothed and calm.

• A Well-Fitted Bra

If you haven't already invested in a maternity bra, now's the time mama. A great-fitting maternity bra that's not too tight provides enough room for your girls to grow and increases airflow which can help reduce itchiness.

• Increase The H20

Pregnant women need at least 10, 8 ounce glasses of water per day and when you're breastfeeding, this should increase to 13 glasses per day!

You're probably thinking that's a lot of water, but staying hydrated during pregnancy helps your body remove waste through urine and bowel movements. Drinking plenty of water can also decrease your chances of getting kidney and bladder infections.

In addition to these health benefits, dehydration during pregnancy can make your skin dry and chapped which can therefore cause it to become itchy. So drink-up, mama!

• Slap On Some Moisture

Although it's important to keep yourself hydrated on the inside, don't forget to keep your skin hydrated on the outside!

Our Breast Friends kit is the ultimate self-care bundle for sore boobs and nipples that will help keep your girls moisturised and protected throughout the 9-month stre-e-tch! Supercharged with cruelty-free, plant-based ingredients and our unique Omega Rich Skin Stretch complex, this duo works together to help hydrate your sore and itchy boobs during pregnancy and beyond.

First, apply our Boob Tube Bust Cream over your breast area. Packed with Aloe Vera and Cabbage Leaf Extract, this ultra-moisturising lotion will help cool, hydrate and soothe boobs during pregnancy, breastfeeding and is clinically proven* to increase skin elasticity and moisture, helping to protect growing boobs against stretch marks.

*Independent clinical trial.