Breast Talk

Hmmmm.

I'm going to talk about my boobies now, a bit TMI for most.

But still, i'm still talking about them.

Breasts and my body image

I have always been self conscious about my breasts. When i hit puberty, my peers often teased me about how my breasts were getting bigger.  Let's just say that i was among those kids who needed to grow up earlier than most, because of my developing body. I've avoided playing skip ropes, chinese garters and those games that require jumping and running when i was 10 years old.  I guess much of it involves how uncomfortable i was about carrying a heavy front load.

I was teased all the more during my high school days! I even resented wearing body-hugging shirts and blouses because i did not feel comfortable about my body image.

When i was in college, that's when i started appreciating my built. It was then i've accepted my God-given big boobies!  It was not like i flaunted them, but i've accepted them as part of being me. My barkada would often call me "Busty" but i didn't care much about that. I just laughed off my nickname. I guess every girl have a body issue - some being flat chested. And then there are girls like me, who's issue was their full bust.

Of  course, let's not underestimate the power of the breast. Admittedly, "the girls"  helped me snag a husband....  to a limited degree... somehow... wahahaha... 

When i got pregnant the big boobies got even bigger. This was to prepare my body for its ultimate function. I was a milk machine in the works!  And boy, am i ever so proud raising an exclusively breastfed baby! He was slightly underweight as a newborn  and with my milk,  he grew up healthy and strong!

[caption id="attachment_3259" align="aligncenter" width="253"] Body changes takes a backseat, my boy's health comes first.[/caption]

Breast changes after giving birth nursing

Now after 18 months of breastfeeding, i really feel and see changes with my breasts! First - the size, they got smaller.  I'm now a cup size smaller than before i got pregnant!  Second - the shape. They're not as round and perky anymore.  I also feel "empty" breasts especially now since i'm not oozing with BM anymore. Last, they sagged.  I noticed that they drooped a bit - like down to my tummy. But I can't blame gravity for this right?  Sagging or drooping is more noticeable for women with big boobs, to begin with.

But I'm not really sure if i should attribute these boob changes to breastfeeding.  Kellymom , citing a study published by the  National Center for Biotechnology Information, says breastfeeding is not the cause of breast sagging or breast ptosis, which is its technical term.  The study  listed these risk factors to be possible and more apparent causes of breast sagging -

• age (as we age, our skin becomes less tight, hence possible wrinkles) 


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  history of significant (>50 lbs) weight loss - preggy women  have rapid weight loss on d-day... yehey!!!!

  
  


• higher body mass index - being overweight puts women at risk to breast ptosis?


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  larger bra cup size - hmmm i fall under this category

  
  


• number of pregnancies - what???   but i'm still on baby number 1! 


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  smoking history - hmmmm... attention smokers... this is another good reason to quit... right now!

  
  

Ayun naman pala!  So the sagging  is not directly caused by breastfeeding. According to this WebMD article,  the stretched out look may be due to the shrinking of milk-making structures in the breasts. These milk-making structures go on overdrive as your near delivery to trigger breast milk production. They then shrink after pregnancy.  The good news is, saggy breasts, is more often not a medical concern.

When i became a mom, I understood the higher purpose of my breasts! No, they're not not just for aesthetics, or for the pleasure of my husband!  These are for nourishing my offspring.  As mammals,  we are equipped with the machinery to care for our babies. Breastfeeding  is the most natural  way to nourish our young.

Possible sagging or drooping should take the back seat when moms are weighing in on breastfeeding! Undeniably, breastfeeding and being a mom, has taken a toll in my looks.  The saggy breasts, along with the stretch marks, i shall wear them proudly as battle scars of motherhood. Why should i waste time over this when the reward is much much more precious - it's the special bond my boy and i  had developed through nursing!  I'll just get me some more push up bras!

I'm not really THAT bothered by the sagging issue, thankfully, so is my husband.  Sabi nya, superficial lang kung ang dahilan nang hindi pagpapasuso ay dahil sa pag-sag ng boobs. Para naman  sa akin, kahit umabot pa lampas ng tuhod ang dede ko, magpapasuso pa rin ako!

Also worth reading: 

• Top 10 reasons why Breast is best 


• Alarming facts about breastfeeding in the Philippines