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Breasts of a Mother
From the beginning
Men, you're free to read this as you may gain some understanding, although admittedly it is written for the mothers.
When we're young and our bodies are budding with growth and new hormones, our breasts take on new meaning. What once matched a male's physiology exactly from our childhood perspective, begins to show obvious distinction. Whether her breasts start small and stay that way or grow to be that of a voluptuous woman at this ripening place, the newness cannot be denied.
Sensations arise when touched and the opposite sex delights in the recognition of a full-figured being. Even at this young age, woman hood has begun. Her flowering body is now considered much more, at least in the areas of pleasure and pro-creation.
Breasts and sex
In the United States, our breasts are primarily featured as part of our sexual sensuality and we notice women pictured in the hottest of media have "perfect" breasts. Round, full, perky, nipples outstanding, bursting pleasantly under or from a blouse. We even witness or take part in under going surgery to obtain or maintain this important part of our physique. Our society as a whole plays hugely in this perception of our breasts, with computer perfected images everywhere, special bras to keep them in shape, and some altered from their natural state.
In relationships, breasts are appreciated, critiqued, kissed, and fondled. A woman may or may not be consciously aware of their dual functionality, depending on her upbringing. Even with a family who breastfed, her idea of breast's importance is initially rooted in sexuality. For some good reason, as breasts factor into the human sexual response cycle. A woman who enjoys nipple or breast stimulation will certainly respond with arousal.
And the Circle Widens
In that arousal, her body opens to that of her partner and we all know what comes. Pregnancy! Well, it certainly can follow and does in many instances.
One of the telltale signs is the feeling many of us experience during "that time of the month", more technically known as menstruation. Sore breasts. Now men, if you're still with me, you probably can't really understand this unless you can recall your experiences as a female from a past lifetime, but sore breasts are sore. I'd compare it to being kicked somewhere that left a bruise. That tender, please don't touch me, type of sore.
Her body tells her so. It lets her know the time has come to grow another within. The sacred act of pro-creation has taken its hold and let itself be known. While her breasts almost stand alone in their pregnant presence, they also begin to swell in preparation. A woman once wearing an A or B cup can easily round out a C or D by the time her baby is ready to emerge. Just weeks before baby arrives, she can gently pinch her nipples and witness droplets of life giving colostrum flow.
The Choice
Whether or not she chooses to breast feed, a woman's body is planning to. A few hours to a couple of days after birth the word I used earlier doesn't even come close to describing what happens to a mother's breasts. As engorgement transpires, the breasts grow yet another size or two in order to accommodate for baby's needs. Even if you chose not to breastfeed from the start, you undoubtedly experienced engorgement and it puts early pregnancy soreness to shame. If you're a mother and you've chosen to read this far, feel free to grieve your experience if breastfeeding did not go as planned. We do the best we can with what we resources we have, in all moments.
As engorgement wanes, the breasts retain their late pregnancy size and continue to fluctuate for the breast feeding mother. Regardless of her choice, each mother may have the experience of the skin on her breast stretching to the point where marks are visible. A good friend of mine refers to these stretch marks as "badges of motherhood".
Breastfeeding Resources
Suckling
So her breasts are stretched, to the max, and she's experiencing the epitome of the word: suckling. Now, women you may be into having your man suck on your tits, and that's just fine. But it is my belief that unless you've nursed him, you've not experienced a sucking like suckling. For some, it takes some getting used to. Holding the baby just so can be tricky for first timers, not to mention she just "ran a marathon" during labor and birth!
The previous "boy toys" become something totally new: another's object of sustenance. The idea of tangling sexuality, pleasure, and the feeding of an infant is too much for some. Understandably so with the ingrained nature of the breast as a sexual element of a woman's body so prevalent in our society and the fact that a mother can actually feel turned on initially when breastfeeding. Does that mean she wants her baby sexually? Not at all. The body and the brain just have a little adjusting to do. In my experience assisting many mothers over the years as a La Leche League Leader, the brain does a nice little trick with the help of hormones produced during breast feeding: it turns the sexual element almost completely off. Some would argue that I could have left out almost.
Do all mothers experience these sometimes alarming sensations of sexuality? No. Quite often breast feeding solidifies a beautiful recognition of the most intimate relationship one can have, I believe. In the mother's body making the life sustaining food for her baby and her infant's ability to milk the breast for what it needs, many feel an appreciation for finally feeling that they have come to know a completion of the circle of Love. (Parents making love pleasurably, conception, pregnancy, birth, and breastfeeding = it's all about Love and it's all supposed to be pleasurable).
Motherly Breasts
In all of this, the breasts once purported as perky, take a different stance. The nipples may be pulled out more and they likely hang a little (or a lot) differently. Some are stretch marked like a zebra and others full like before. They may sag like an 80 year old woman's or remain firm.
Women are still beautiful as mothers, no matter what their breasts look like. Actually, they have come into the full beauty of their being through realizing their body's total capacities.
Peace 4 Parents
Amy Phoenix (aka Rainbow Recognizer) is a gentle, yet direct parenting guide and healing facilitator dedicated to sharing insights and practices to transform frustration and anger, heal the past, nurture conscious relationships, and experience the peace of the present. Visit her at www.Peace4Parents.com.
Resources for Further Reading
- The Shape of a Mother
It is my dream, then, to create this website where women of all ages, shapes, sizes and nationalities can share images of their bodies so it will no longer be secret. - Normal Breasts Gallery, part A - pictures of different size and shape breasts from women who have be
Pictures of normal female breasts from women who have been pregnant, with different breast size and shape: small breasts, sagging ones, big areola, asymmetrical breasts, strech marks, etc. - Prevent Breasts From Sagging
I am somewhat obsessed with preventing my breasts from sagging. I’ve spent a significant amount of time researching the causes of sagging, as well as the prescribed prevention – and I have to tell you, no...
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Comments
You could have titled this Hub "Lifecycle of Breasts: From Perky to Saggy" heehee! But seriously, good info to share with women and men alike.
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Definitely! :o) LOL
Very well written... great hub!
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Thanks, Hope :)
As a mother who breastfed, attended La Leche meetings, and participated in natural childbirth aka no drugs, I know this beauty. While a lot of women say they "can't" breastfeed - I think it stems from the lack of understanding of the entire process.
There is nothing more beautiful in the world that suckling your child and having your child smile up at you. Besides the benefts to your own body, that of shrinking your uterus and bringing your body back into shape quicker, the baby receives immunities and the best chance in life for creating a truly healthy body.
Both of my breast-fed babies are full grown woman, one of whom has suckled her own. The interesting thing to note, though my daughters are 33 and 35, neither has had more than one or two cavaties in their whole life - and when they did they came in their adult years. Another testament to breastfeeding.
Besides the whole thing of dealing with bottles in the middle of the night seems superfluous when you've got the milk factory right on board. Why work harder than you have to?
Great article Rainbow!
Laurie B.
Awesome article. Truly informative :-)
As a mother a 17 month old nursling, even I found it interesting- even though we have nursing down and I've come to accept my body for what it is
- Author
Laurie - Thank you for adding your experience, that broadens the picture which will help other women who choose to read! I love your input :)
Mandy - I felt similarly for many years, that I had accepted my body and loved it in its full beauty and one day I realized on one level I had, but deeper stuff was also present... from that place this article came forth. It is my intention to share it so others can be liberated from any "stuff" they may have from completely loving their motherly breasts. Thank you for your comment!
I was raised in a family that believes in breast feeding. Country people tend to do things the natural way. My mother is sorely put out any time she sees a new mother who has chosen not to breast feed. Many people do not understand the importance of breast feeding and the affects that it has on a child’s development, physically and emotionally. I would urge any mother who is thinking about not breast feeding because of whatever reason to read as much as she can on the benefits of breast feeding before choosing formula. Your child deserves the best and that does not come in a can or bottle.
Wonderful Hub Rainbow :-) You wrote: "The previous "boy toys" become something totally new: another's object of sustenance." Indeed, it was meant more than that.
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Garry - I greatly appreciate a man's point of view and support here, thank you for sharing! I'm off to check out your hubs :)
Ripplemaker - You got it! I certainly could elaborate on the entire beauty of the breast as part of a whole person...and I think the fact that so many likely identify with the sexual part and all that can be unpleasantly or pleasantly wrapped up in that, it's just that they are so much more. Women are built to sustain their young, to literally provide their life outside of the womb. Thanks for the comment :)
Excellent hub - makes a change from the 'girls with big boobs' hubs (written by men!).
I hope, the day will come soon when Google will allow you to show a nipple (not you personally, I hasten to add!)
Excellent hub! As nutricionist I must say that breast feeding is the first, and very important, step for a healthy live and our children deserves nothing less! Unfortunately I haven´t been breast feed cause my mother was already 46 when she have me :(
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Rik and funride - Once again it is really nice to have some "real" men commenting here :) Not that the others aren't "real", I'm sure you know what I mean... Thank you.
Breast feeding is great but breast feeding does not always work for everyone.
When my children were born bottle feeding was recommended. They were wrong but at that time they thought it was better for baby.
Enjoyed your hub.
- Author
Thank you, Moonlake. So true and this hub is certainly to promote the beauty in each mother's breasts. Bottom line, baby has to eat!
This is a well-written, informative hub that I truly think should be directed at men. Sorry, guys, but there are too many men who simply see the sexual side of the breast and I believe they should read this and learn to appreciate a different side of them. To most men, they are simply their toys. Great job!
Bonnie
- Author
Thanks, Bonnie! I suppose the front pic might draw some unsuspecting ones in ;o) He he.
I got off to a rocky start with bfing. After many visits from a lactation consultant, I finally was able to breastfeed, and it was worth the initial agony! I always had to supplement with formula, but I still got the good stuff into my baby. =)
- Author
Awesome, Seamus! Determination pays off with breast feeding in most cases. Thanks for commenting :)
great hub
I like to tell you its the gretest emotion that GOD created most.
Thanks for sharing
RainbowRec - another excellent hub! My youngest (and last, hopefully!) is now 15 months, and breastfeeding is now in our past.
I went through so many emotions while BF my kids. While pregnant with my first, I was nervous it wouldn't work for us. It did work, but only after 6 weeks of learning and pain. Loved it for months and months - then couldn't wait for it to be done. While pregnant with my second, I got so excited about BF - loved it for months and months, then couldn't wait for it to be done. Ditto with my third. Ah, the rollercoaster of motherhood! =)
I'm still getting used to looking at my new body in the mirror - I admit it will be a long time before I'm truly comfortable with how I look now - although I wouldn't trade any of it for the world.
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Hi Blogger Mom - it is a ride! Thanks for commenting... I have a treat for the whole body issue coming, you'll see it ;o) Lot of Love!
Very interesting hub -- and the ads are showing, so it looks like you managed! ;)
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He he - Yes, I left out the nips... much to my chagrin. And no problem with cleavage - plenty of that! Thanks for the comment :)
yup that is how we should appreciate breast, I wonder why there are still people who want to put silicon in it :)
- Author
I'm sure the idea takes on new meaning outside of cultures where the breast is purported as #1 being for sex. To each her own... :) Thankfully, many women can still breastfeed after an augmentation! Although it does create a risk that she may not, if her surgeon was the least bit conscious that she may want to breastfeed in the future, the procedure would be done in a way to preserve the breast's feeding (IMO superior) functionality... Thanks for the comment!
Wow...
First pictures,...Ehm hot & excited..
last one oh my God.. Its remind me to my mother.
hehehehe
I'm still feeding my 9 month old and certainly don't want my breasts as playthings at the moment! Great hub - at last some one with some understanding of what they are for. And men, nipples are definitely not for tuning radios!
AS someone who breastfed twins, all I can say is thumbs up! Great hub.
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TjMum - No doubt on the radios!!! Glad you enjoyed it :)
Inspirepub - Kudos on the twins - I tandem nursed my first two and it's a new experience all in itself... thank you for commenting!
Rainbow - a wonderfully written hub! Surely will get the attention of all ;) I nursed both of my boys for a year and I believe it was the best thing I could have done. The first one didnt' even catch a cold for two years! Tandem nurse, however - wow, you ARE my hero. :)
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He hee - you're funny, Mrs Know it All ;) Thanks for the comment - it's so nice to hear of other's experiences!
You surely got my attention, especially the first few paragraphs... till things get rounder haha :-) Frankly, the thought came to mind that how awesome God is.. in creating such wonderful stuff. What a refreshing perspective!
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Glad you experienced some new found appreciation, Roger, thanks for the comment!
Despite all the great art that exisits in this world, a woman's body is the most beautiful thing most men will ever see...
RainbowRecognizer, bravo! What a beautiful hub. I'm sure it will give many men a new appreciation and perspective on breasts. Okay, well some men.
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Thank you Beamsdoorway & Shirley! Oh yes, the beauty of a woman's body is really more than words could ever describe and I'm glad some men are reading... I've really appreciated all of the comments :)
Aren’t our boobs great! I've nursed two children and they still are alive and well! They are the greatest symbol of nourishment and compassion. Our wedding vows were “that the warmth and love of her bosom comfort thee” …profound. The one vow we remember and recite!
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Awesome, crystalkay! Very profound and so nice to share with your partner :)
I just wanted to say that my brother in-law breast fed until he was 3 1/2! Ewwww.
Excellent. Mothers are earth.
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Mommagus - Interestingly, the average weaning age the world over is around 2-4 years... of course in the U.S. it's much younger, if a child is even breastfed. Think the sexualization of the breast takes precedence? I would love to have a conversation about what causes one the think, "Ewwww" about a 3.5 yo nursing. Have my own opinions, but I'm open for feedback! Thanks for commenting :)
Buddha - thanks for commenting... from my biased perspective I tend to agree ;)
Huge gallery with different kinds of breasts just for analysis - Good collection.
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Interesting, easegiri, the site I put a link to can be helpful for women who really have no idea that the range of normal is V-E-R-Y wide!
Excellent Hub! Everything is covered in an excellent way. Only National Geographic gets away with anything different.
Thom
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Thanks, Mosz... yes, aahhh, the days I spent thumbing through NG magazines of my Grandma's as a kid. Maybe I'll have to see about writing for them one day! I'm open to travel :)
good phots.... Where , How got that ? sure. U took it ?
- Author
Photos: http://www.sxc.hu/
great article, I am nursing number 2 and couldn't imagine any other way, both girls are so healthy and happy, I feel bad for moms who have to warm bottles, my girls would be worked into a frenzy if they had to wait that long to eat.
It pays off for the child, it pays off for the mother!
That's my firm belief after observing development of 2 own kids.
After three kids, all breastfed, my wife's breasts sag and have stretch marks. So does her belly. She's even more beautiful to me than when I met her, because those changes happened making our kids.
- Author
Thanks, guys ~ you're a picture of truly Unconditional Love. :o)
Beautiful article. I appreciated it. I wasn't able to breastfeed myself due to complications with the afterbirth that impeded the production of my milk, but I sure as hell tried! I have to say that even without breast feeding, my breasts changed after childbirth, but it never phased me. Everything is constantly changing anyway. :)
Great hub..my wife used to breastfeed our son. He is healthy as a horse now and bigger than me. Im 6'1 240 pounds. lol Anyway, it is good for the child and the mother alike. It is a great bonding event for the mother and child. I think there is nothing more beautiful than seeing a woman breastfeeding her child. Even though i am a guy and love the sight of breasts, i do not look at a woman sexually when i see her feeding her child. Just my thoughts..
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Thank you both for the comments :o) Corbin, that's awesome you did your absolute best to try breast feeding. As parents, we're always doing our best! Sweeps Luck, I appreciate your thoughts, too, as it helps round out the discussion with comments from both sexes. Nice to know so many men appreciate breasts in their totality, too!
Your pics were so great. As a mom who breastfed my only child for 27 months the images of my little one looking up at me with the nip in his mouth is burned in my mind and looking at those images make me somewhat sentimental. I have to say that being a mom is the ultimate in personal sacrafice and breastfeeding is just an extension of that sacrafice. Women have such a great opportunity to start their babies off on the right foot with breastfeeding and it is really frustrating when you hear the words "I couldn't breastfeed" just like everything else in parenting it is a learning process that has ups and downs but in the end it is totally worth it. Thanks for tackling the topic and helping other see that breasts are not only for sexual satisfaction. I only wish that my breasts would have kept their feeding size instead of reverting back to their pre-teen stature. Thanks again.
so tht's what they're for ( hitting self on head) Great job!
Great hub, thumbs up to you. Everything is unique and original.
Great hub, I have just sat my husband next to me, made him read it twice. Now he understands there is more to my breast than just his fun. Ok back to watch desperate housewives
Thanks
- Author
Glad to assist everyone... in realizing the true beauty of a mother's breasts. Thank you all very much for commenting!
Good article and non sexist
When I saw the pics attached to this hub, I thought that it was just another ploy to use naughty title and half naked pics to catch traffic. How grossly off the track I was. I am single, have not hold a baby since ages and do not know a damn about parenting or nursing. Quite honestly, till now, I had seen breasts only as natural sex toys for men. Thank you for opening my eyes and changing my whole perspective. I checked with my mom and when she told me that I was breast fed, I really felt ashamed at my previous notions about the breast. I guess, after all this, I have started respecting women and women anatomy a lot more than I ever did. Thanks again. And yes, you have got great informative and gripping writing style. Way to go!!
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You are so welcome - thank you for sharing your eye opening experience! :o)
Rainbow, this is such a wonderful hub, and I love the way your write about this subject that some people get embarassed about. Good to read the male comments also!
hi, nice article with nice details..
thanks
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Glad all are enjoying it. :o) Was much fun to write!
cool
great hub, now we know that women's breast give life to everyone of us here;-)
you kow what i believe children that are breast feed have good mental development as oppossed to those who take other things in place of the moms milk. this is a great hub
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Thank you all!
Great page. Thank you for putting it together. Having been a mom who breastfed I know the wonderment. I also know the feeling of the 'battle-scars' as I once heard them called in hopes to make you feel like you've now joined the ranks of motherhood... :)
I like my small ones and I want to keep them that way.
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I'm glad you enjoyed and it brought a smile... and a reminder that breasts are beautiful in all shapes and sizes!
Very informative.
Not the type of slideshow or illustrated storybook though for men like me who like Happy Endings. :)
Nice HUB.
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Happy Endings... hmmm... the only two constants I know of are birth and death and it's my place to make light of the in between :o) Glad you feel informed!
That was a trap... I never expected that. But certainly enhances my appreciation.
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No trap - just truth :o). Superior function is for feeding babies - we are mammals! The survival of our species for millenia has depended on it. It's just that we have it the other way around... Glad your appreciation was enhanced.
kewl
I can say Im 24 wk's pregnant right now & I am def. planning to breastfeed my baby. people don't just do it because its easier like you said.. Because it is also healthier.. Why would people quick smoking & start eating healthy food & cleaning house if they didn't care about their babies health? Well.. here's 1 more thing you can do to maintain the "Good health" of your growing child. Don't get me wrong im not saying its "Bad" or "Unhealthy" not to do it, Its simply just "better"! Its also more than health.. Its a bonding experience for the mother & child. I know that (once again, like that said above) Is known as a "sexual" stimulate, I personally have never been aroused by having someone touch/rub/caress/ or suck my breasts in anyway. That is just me. Alot of people I know enjoy this stimulai Persay.. Men don't have breasts.. Why? because there bodies aren't built to support & nurish a baby. Woman are simply "Built" to do this. I personally love the fact I can experience the pregnancy, birth, Breastfeeding, Nurturing & so forth.. Its something a man (no matetr how much they'd like) Simply cannot do. for that reason I feel blessed to behable to experience motherhood & all the little special bonding moments I will soon behable to get. Good luck mommy's & soon to be mommy's & daddy's. Its such a beautiful gift!
-Kathryn K.
i got teary eyed when I fed my first baby - it felt so complete. Good for you to capture the essence so entirely
Love your hub. I am a working but I still opted to breastfeed my babies. It was so painful at first and my breasts would be so tight, hard, and full when I am at work. Sometimes I become feverish because of it but I still continued to breastfeed. When my breasts had got the hang of it, I felt the beauty of having my children breastfed. I love those moments when they are so close to me, suckling my breasts and I always feel so important and a REAL mother during those moments. It was lovely, like I feel their need for me, their dependence, and I always feel a kind of intimacy which only exists between a mother and the breastfed baby.
sorry but i have all ways believed all woman are beatiful as they are! i have had artists such as monet,whistler,klimit,rembrandt and oh so many other artists to illumanate the true beatuty of woman kind. i am just sorry that i am coming to the end of my life and never found one to grow old with.
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Thank you all for the kind comments - great appreciation here. :o) Much love to you all!
Great hub, always interesting to know a womans perspective on these things
Great information - I learned a lot! Thanks for sharing.
For now, I still single . But when I am married. I'll tell to my wife to take care her breast. It is long investment, for my child I mean.
hot breast
Great article about breasts. I have breast fed both of my girls and experienced engorgement, painful. But the love a mom feels from breast feeding is like no other. Nice job!
Nice hub..Im an advocate of breastfeeding..
excellnet hub
I don't know How I missed such a wonderful hub. It certainly gives men a different perspective of breasts. Keep up the good work.
This is a fantastic hub and really puts into words a lot of the feelings I've been having. I'm a new mom and have been breastfeeding my one-month-old son since he was born; I feel it is by far the best thing for the baby and myself, even if the engorgement left me with stretch marks on my breasts and took away the majority of any sexuality associated with my breasts...It's crazy to think about how society has made breasts be viewed so much as something other than their natural function!
- Author
Yes, Nessa, we have a skewed view... but we can bring it into perspective. Our breasts change and grow as we do. :)
very interesting
After my milk came in, my boobs only hurt for a week. Some people are syanig a whole month? I guess everyone is different..goodjob for making the decision to breastfeed as you are giving baby the best start possible(=As for the melons returning to normal size yes they do, well at least mine did! Unless you go longer than normal without feeding. Then they'll get engorged. Pump if need be.Goodluck!!! And YES it definitely gets easier..
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