I’ve started and stopped my celebrating breastfeeding post so many times. There are so many things I want to say that I just don’t have the words for. There are so many moments that I cherish. There is so much for me to celebrate and be thankful for I didn’t know where to start.
Then, as I fed my youngest to sleep, I found the words I want to say.
My breasts aren’t the same anymore…. my body has changed
Two pregnancies have taken a toll on my body. Twice my body has swollen to accommodate my growing child. Twice I’ve give birth. And twice my boobs have achieved that “pammy double d” look that described my milk coming in.
That’s a lot for a body to take. Up. Down. Hormones pumping.
My breasts aren’t the same anymore…. they’re bearing the scars
Stretchmarks fading to silver snaking down the side from what can only be described as over inflation.
My nipples growing in size to sustain my little one. Constant scratch marks from little hands pummeling me with sharp nails. Tiny bite marks.
Lopsided from uneven feeding. Lumpy from blocked milk ducts.
Cased in unattractive cotton clip bras (unless I’m wearing my Lorna Drew!)
My breasts aren’t the same any more…. but that’s OK
Battered and bruised.
Sagging and drooping.
It doesn’t matter. What my breasts have done is incredible. Providing my boys with the best start in their lives from their first taste of colostrum to the final feed.
My breasts aren’t the same anymore…. they’re so much more
Helping my boys grow.
Helping to comfort. To relieve pain. To stop tears from falling.
The memory of a weary head in the crook of my arm as he finally gives in to sleep by suckling.
The feel of a warm, small, hand on my breast as he feeds, the need to get closer to me.
The moments I can steal, alone, with my baby breathing his sweet smell.
The cuddles given and the stillness of my active little one.
So my breasts may not be the same anymore. But I wouldn’t change it for the world.
The code word for the Celebrating Breastfeeding Christmas Extravaganza is TINSEL.
With special thanks to our sponsors for providing the amazing prizes: ARDO, LoveyUsh, Milk & Mummy, Lorna Drew, Mummy Makes Milk, Thrupenny Bits, breastvest,Mothers Love Cookies and More4Mums.
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Yes, yes, yes. I know all about it after three children. Great post Laura!
Fantastic! That’s exactly how we should feel about our bodies. Life giving, sustaining, perfect.
Such a lovely post Laura! I’m so looking forward to feeding Baby Fish next spring and hope that we have an easier time with this baby than we did Toby, but even with Toby I’m so proud of what my body did for him xx
Author
Eep Baby Fish! So excited for you still! I found second time harder to begin with but easier as I got in the swing of things, I forgot that all babies are different, xx
Breast feeding is great! I wish i could have done it for longer! There are certainly benefits! There are a lot of entry options in your competition! lol Angela
Breast feeding is great! I wish i could have done it for longer! There are certainly benefits! There are a lot of entry options in your competition! lol Angela
Author
Thanks Angela – lots of benefits even if your boobs staying perky is the sacrifice!
I am not a mama yet and never breastfed before but it must an important part of mummy and baby life and one worth celebrating and cherishing
Author
It is a lovely part (and so is bottle feeding for a break) it’s nice to remember that there is a reason why my body has changed from what it used to be like!
Really great honest post! I really appreciate you discussing your breast feeding experience so openly 🙂 x
Lovely post. Unfortunately breastfeeding didn’t work for us but its lovely that it worked for you. I did however breastfeed for the first 4 weeks which I am proud of.
Author
I think that however long you breastfeed for you should be proud, especially if it’s what you want to do, it doesn’t matter if it was 4 seconds, 4 minutes, 4 days, 4 weeks, 4 months, whatever. As long as you do what is right for you and your baby you should be proud!
What a beautiful post and I am proud of you for sticking to your guns and not caring what people think. It is perfectly natural and nothing to be ashamed about.
Author
Thank you!
I fed monkey and I am hoping to do the same this time round. I love this post its reminded me of all those special times and what I gave to look forward to. Thank you x
Author
Thanks lovely, it’s easy to remember the tough times but not the moments where you have utter stillness just you and the Baby xx
This is a gorgeous post, Laura! I feel just the same as you. Breastfeeding is the best thing I’ve done for my three kiddies & I treasure the memories I have feeding them. Great giveaway!! x
Author
Thanks Becky, I’m so glad this time round I’m blogging because my memories from the toddler are on the fuzzy side x
I wish I could be as accepting as you are. I’d love a boob job haha! It’s shocking how much they change (shrink, deflate, drop, go squishy) isn’t it?
X
Author
Well. I wouldn’t say no to a boob job……. but right now I’ll stick with padded bra for special occasions and remember why they’re like that. It makes me feel much better! X
Such a lovely post huni. Can’t relate as never wanted to breastfeed but totally support those who do x
Author
Thanks Aby. I guess it can be applied to any aspect of pregnancy/having children my body has completely changed even though I’m (kind of nearly) back at pre-pregnancy weight my shape is forever different! X
Awww, lovely post! This is exactly how we should feel about our bodies 🙂 I really wish I could have breastfed. Lovely giveaway too! Goodluck to all that enter. xx
Author
Thanks Sarah – I wish I could enter. X
Have a look at this fascinating study about the impact of breastfeeding on breast appearance: http://asj.oxfordjournals.org/content/32/7/846.abstract It’s good!
Shall I say that I’ve thought this post (if I can say that) many times over, about quite a bit of me and written it many times over in my head. O yes, I can relate, with the droop, the lumps, the bumps, the lop … o yes, the whole shebang. We should definitely be booby proud for our well used boobies 🙂 #CelebratingBreastfeeding (Glad to finally be getting around reading and commenting)
Author
You can indeed Mo – it started very differently in my head and then came round to this instead, they most definitely aren’t the same (And at the moment I can also add teeth marks….) but I wouldn’t change it. I’m proud of what I have accomplished.