I've been thinking about boobs a lot lately.I've been thinking about how they vary in size and shape from woman to woman and how some women go to extremes to augment, lift and smash them together.
I know nine women that have had breast implants without ever looking back (aside from one that had a horrific experience and had them removed). I'm completely envious of the way these women's boobs look. They are always so perky and look fantastic in everything they wear, especially bikinis. I'm also envious that often times, they don't even wear bras because they don't have to.
I thought I had good boobs before I had a baby. A nice solid B+, as in the size, not the grade, but as long as I brought it up I'd give them a B+ grade too. Nowadays, they are more of C- and that's with the helpful aid of the "right" bra (is there even such a thing?)
There are no two ways about it, boobs completely transform while you are pregnant and in the year that follows. I'm amazed that their sole purpose (aside from looking fabulous in a push up bra under a little black dress) is to provide nourishment.
I have several friends working on weaning their infants off the boob right now and it makes me sad. Okay, I'm just going to say it: I tried breastfeeding and it didn't work for me.
This is my story:
I have to admit I was on the fence about it from day one and struggled with my decision up until I purchased the Cadillac of all breast pumps (the Medela Pump In Style with shoulder bag), ample storage bags, boxes of bra pads, nursing shirts and two tubes Costco-sized tubes of lanolin cream. With all the gear, there was no turning back. Plus, I was looking forward to the connection and bonding that my son and I would have, not to mention, I had heard that you can burn an extra 500 calories a day by breastfeeding. Bonus!!
Little did I know what sort of battle I was up against. Breastfeeding hurt like nothing I had ever experienced before; from the top of my head to the bottom of my toes. It was more painful to me than labor and delivery and I delivered naturally without drugs.
There's just something so wrong about pulling your unsatisfied newborn off your breast only to find his mouth full of blood instead of milk and wanting to cry your eyes out from the pain.
We had lactation specialists visit us in the hospital and at home, took pictures of the pillow arrangements and bought nipple shields, which helped a little bit, but when my milk wasn't coming in and I couldn't relax and began panicking because my little tiny baby was screaming out of hunger, I resorted to pumping only. I only produced two to three ounces a day and that only lasted two months and then I, of course completely. dried. up.
Fortunately (or unfortunately), Lucas was dehydrated when he was born and took longer than the standard week to return to his birth weight, so the nurses at the hospital told us we would have to supplement with formula. Dad was feeding the synthetic stuff to our son this through a syringe while my sister was pressing on my breasts to help encourage the milk to come in and I was busy trying to relax and hold my baby in the most optimal position. As you can imagine, it wasn't a pretty picture.
I know of all the advantages of breastfed babies and I wanted them for Lucas. I thought I would have a gullet of milk gushing out of my boobs. I wanted my boobs to do what they were designed for, but instead they let me down and to this day I still feel extremely guilty that Lucas didn't get breast milk longer. I really did try and I had a lot of support around me, it just wasn't meant to be in the end.
Whether they work or not, back to boobs...and bras.
I feel like I am forever on the search for the perfect fitting, just enough lift, maximum comfort providing bra, especially now that mine have changed so much since giving birth. I think it's time for this momma to head back to Nordstrom for an "intimate" fitting.
I have had pretty good luck with the Victoria Secret Body by Victoria line, but would love to know what everyone else likes. What's your favorite everyday bra? Sports bra? Nursing bra (provided I ever give that another whirl)? Push up? T-shirt?
The best is yet to be.
This post is for the new word game, Word Up, Yo! hosted by Natalie (Mommy of a Monster), Kristin (Taming Insanity) and Liz (a belle, a bean and a chicago dog). I love words and wish I had a better vocabulary. I like the way words sound and feel sometimes rolling off my tongue. I especially enjoy words that I have to look up their meanings to. Having said all of that, you may see this button on my blog from time to time:
