Where does the breast
obsession stem from?

THE STORY of breast taboo:
Page 1: Breast Taboo
Page 2: Women Wean Early
Page 3: Obsession

I LOVE MAMA'S BREAST!

DON'T TAKE IT AWAY FROM ME!

Nursing a newborn.

Breast obsession

So what is it about breasts that makes North Americans SO obsessed with them as sexual objects? In the course of history many different parts of the female body have been fetishes for men, for example ankles, necks, and tiny feet (in China)... so WHY breast obsession in our age?

It seems to be linked to the fact that breasts are viewed very strongly as sexual body parts, and NOT seen as "baby feeders." In fact, at least some Americans are about to forget their natural function!

In the fall of 1993, one of the undergraduate students in my 'Women and Culture' course was totally flabbergasted to discover that the biological function of women's breasts was for feeding children. With obvious shock and disgust evident in her voice she asked, 'You mean women's breasts are like a cow's udder?' That a young woman could reach college without ever having even heard of women using their breasts to feed their children is a sad commentary on American culture.
Katherine Dettwyler as quoted in The Breastfeeding Action Committee of Edmonton (BACE) report about Breastfeeding at Municipal Pools in Canada

If we can see breasts as the WONDERFUL means God created to feed and comfort babies, then the obsessions about them can disappear; men don't have to think that breast appearance somehow counts the most, and women don't have to obsessively worry about the size and shape of their breasts.

What about women who do not want to or cannot have children? How should they view their breasts?

Their breasts, as all women's, are essentially a "signal" or a reminder of how babies are fed. They are still like a "banner" that shows us what food babies get. Even if you are not going to ever breastfeed and use your breasts for that purpose, you can still appreciate the function of breasts, the wonders in breast milk, the efficient mechanism of how it all works (if you study a bit about it), and so on.

This obsession HURTS women and men in various ways that are not always obvious. For example: MEN become easy targets for pornographic advertisements that use breasts as the main enticement or keyword. Or, a woman may need to go braless for her breast health's sake, which then results in men ogling over her, making comments, and considering her only on a sexual level (see comment by Chris below).

I feel strongly that this breast obsession is a problem in the country I live in, the U.S. Please note that I am not talking about all men in what I'm saying below.

I am tired of the over-the-top responses I get from some men towards my breasts. I mean, it just gets ridiculous. Women are more than a pair of breasts, aren't they? What about my mind, my spirit? The breast obession that some men have make relationships between men and women very difficult.

Also, the idea of going brafree, a very healthy choice in many cases, is mentioned on this website and made all the more difficult because of this breast obession. I personally don't like to wear bras. I find them constricting and uncomfortable, even "properly fitting" ones. Also, my severe breast pain stopped when I stopped wearing bras. So, I choose not to wear them, and I have every right not to wear them. But, in the culture I live in, women are expected to wear them. And if I don't, then it's "my fault" if I'm ogled, stared down, commented upon, all because of this breast obsession. I'm suddenly, "fair game" for this type of treatment. These types of attitudes are insenstive to women and completely unfair. It turns men into an enemy in public, who won't allow me my right to live my life in peace, without having my boundaries violated as I go about my business. Yes, I can speak up and tell them to leave me alone, stop staring, all of which I have done. But why should I have to do this repeatedly? Why should women have to constantly deal with these intrusions from men? This breast taboo translates into breast disrespect and disrespect of women.

I don't feel like having men I don't know relate to me only on a sexual level, just because I have breasts and just because I don't want to wear a bra. My not wearing a bra is not intended to be sexually inticing to men. Like I said, it's about comfort and health for me. But the way many men interpret it sexually, without regard to any of my feelings or reasons, makes me very uncomfortable.

So, this is just one example of how Western attitudes towards breasts hurt women emotionally and also negatively affects relationships between men and women, thereby hurting men also. I'm convinced that if this obsession with breasts didn't exist, things would be so much easier for most women and men and women would have better relationships with each other.

Chris

But why does the American society view breasts primarily as sexual objects and not as baby feeders? Carolyn Latteier voiced it out this way:

"Well, I think it has partly to do with the fact that we don't breastfeed very much. I mean, breastfeeding rates have improved, but most women don't breastfeed very much or very long or in public. So when we see a breast, we don't say, "Oh there are those magical milk-making things."
Carolyn Latteier in Berman & Berman's TV program "All about breasts" (transcript)

Let's see how that might come about.

Bottle feeding story

Baby is fed from the bottle, so he doesn't get to know Mom's breast as a food source and as the best pacifier. Also, if Mom never undresses or uncovers her bosom in front of her child, the child never gets to see breasts. Parents, society, TV, and media show breasts to be something forbidden, something to be covered, yet exciting and sexual, preferably large and upright, and the child easily ends up believing that way, as well.

But what if the baby is breastfed?, you might say. After all, most women do breastfeed their babies at least in the hospital. But they don't do it for very long! Let's imagine what happens in the weaning process.

Weaning story

Baby is breast fed in the beginning. But, maybe Mom has problems with breastfeeding, can't find help, and has to start supplementing with a bottle. This reduces her milk supply, and soon the baby is weaned. Or maybe Mom goes to work at six weeks and weans the baby completely at this point (she could have continued nursing in the evening and morning!).

But for whatever reason, Mom weans the baby early on. But just because Mom quits nursing doesn't mean the baby wants to! The attachment and love for Mommy's breasts don't go away just like that. The baby loses its best source of food, yes, but it also loses one of its sources of comfort and security.

The babe is probably feeling along the lines, "Hey, don't take those away from me! Those soft sponges belong to me! You can't do that! Hey, nobody here cares about my feelings! PLEASE Mommy....."

This kind of early and forced weaning can hurt the baby emotionally. Deep inside the baby retains the feeling of wanting the breast. The baby still likes Mommy's breasts. He/she is still interested in Mommy's bosom and wants to touch it, cuddle the breast, feel close — and get the yummy milk (breast milk tastes quite sweet, sweeter than formula).

You can see this when weaned toddlers and babies are still interested in breasts and want to touch them. Unfortunately, many times the mother feels uneasy about it and maybe thinks it is "indecent" or "perverted" behavior. The father may feel the same and fear that his child (especially his son) is going to grow up to be "some kind of pervert." But that is not true! Little children don't think sexual things!

Then the mother tries to get her child to stop this "nipple twiddling" and breast cuddling. The child is probably taught that touching naked breasts is BAD, it is a "NO-NO". Now, if the mother never lets her children see bare breasts, it is no wonder that the child develops a curiosity towards breasts. The child stars thinking, "What is it about them? Wonder what they look like? Why do they keep them hidden?"

While the child is growing up, everything around her touts that breasts are forbidden, a taboo. We know that taboos just encourage curiosity. On top of that, the media presents breasts not only as forbidden but something exciting and sexual, which starts arousing sexual feelings especially in boys. Girls at least get to see their own breasts and often times Mom's too, which lessens this curiosity/excitement factor.

So, what started as innocent curiosity and love towards Mommy's breasts can be turned into sexual feelings in boys, whereas young girls start (often obsessively) worrying about the sexual attractiveness of their breasts. They worry about their breast size and shape, nipple size and shape, stretch marks, sagginess — about every aspect of their breasts, and quite often start wishing for breast implants, assuming that breasts need to be big to be attractive.

It all starts when you take the breast away from the child AND then make seeing breasts a forbidden no-no for the rest of the child's growing period. The end result is a distorted view of female breasts.

A weaned child still interested in breasts?

So what should you do if your already weaned child wants to touch mom's breasts and is very curious about them? Here's what to do: explain in the child's level of understanding what those pieces of flesh are for. Explain to him/her: "These are the milk bottles you drank from as a tiny baby. They are called breasts." Or, "These are like milk bottles. Milk comes out of them when babies suckle and they're called breasts." Show the child a few photos of nursing (from the Internet, for example). Give him/her a biology lesson (on her terms)!

The WORST thing to do is to make a big fuss, to declare breasts a no-no and something totally forbidden (taboo). It's simple enough to tell the child what they are, and do so in a no-nonsense style, just sort of "no big deal", normal type of thing. That should satisfy the child's curiosity.

After a while, such curiosity will probably pass and something else will take its place... just don't make it any big deal. But IF the child keeps wanting to touch and cuddle for a long time, you can explain that "These are the milk bottles but they are my body parts and you don't have to touch me here all the time." You can offer a reason such as "...the nipple is so sensitive." But first make sure you've given the explanations.

So are breasts sexual?

This is a question that cannot be answered in a short space. Breasts are part of the "whole package" that makes a woman. They aren't sexual in the sense that merely looking at them in some everyday context (such as BREASTFEEDING) shouldn't make men instantly think about sex! Yet they are sexual in the sense that they are a female body part, and the whole female is sexually attractive to men.

We are not saying that men can't appreciate and admire women's breasts (as feminine and beautiful body parts), or that a man and a woman can't enjoy touching each other's bodies during their intimate relationship. We are saying breasts are not supposed to be an immediate "turn-on," or in other words a special obsession point for men.

The advertisements and media images play to the idea that men are supposed to be "all ready" the instant they get a flash of a breast. That, we feel, is UNHEALTHY! However, breasts are a part of our femininity as women, and men can be, and ARE drawn to the whole female. It is indeed the whole woman, the entire feminine being who kindles and fans the flame of sexual desire for men.

On this website we aim to fight back against this sad trend where breasts are "elevated" into objects of automatic "turn-on" for men. Keep in mind, though, that this is NOT men's fault, because they have been culturally conditioned to see breasts that way.

So let breasts be like legs, hips, neck, face, and all the other body parts of a female—part of the whole female (and it's the whole that is sexually attractive to men). Breasts tie in with maternity: they signal that the woman is mature, capable of bearing and nursing children. They also REMIND us of their precious life-giving part in child-rearing. Perhaps YOU yourself were once nourished by those magnificent organs!

Some people mention to us Song of Solomon, which mentions breasts in a sexual context. People say that proves breasts are supposed to be "sexual." Keep in mind Song of Solomon CLEARLY places breasts on the same level as other body parts, such as the teeth, neck, and hair. Think of breasts both as "ornaments" (pretty) and as "magnificent" (because of their function—the process of milk production and breastfeeding is QUITE intricate). Song of Solomon definitely gives the picture of the WHOLE FEMALE as being attractive... (including breasts) but it does not in any way show breasts as some focal "ogle" point.

Vicious cycle

The LESS women breastfeed, the LESS people get to see the real purpose of breasts. At the same time media everywhere touts the view of female breasts as sexual. That in turn makes it harder for women to breastfeed, since many of the reasons for not breastfeeding are linked to the sexualization of breasts.

So the less women breastfeed, the harder it becomes for women to breastfeed. We have a cycle that self-promotes the view that the main purpose of female breasts is for something else than feeding babies!

The cure?

First, let children be breastfed.

Then, let older children and teenagers see breastfeeding moms and their babies.

Let them learn about breasts and breastfeeding. Let them see breasts used for their purpose.

Don't make it a taboo, a forbidden no-no.

Visitor questions/comments

After looking through your website I was in ecstasy! I feel like I am finally escaping the great American breast brainwashing. Since age 13 when I first was exposed to pornography I have been totally obsessed with breasts, the bigger, the better. My mother never nursed me even once as her doctor advised her to give me formula. Your website helped me as a male viewer to see the female breast as a natural part of the female body and not as some mystical sex object. My whole attitude toward women has changed as a result. All humans are naturally beautiful, created in the image of God. But the greatest beauty is the beauty inside. If two people can love each other then the externals are not nearly as important as what is in our souls and how we relate in love to each other.

Steve

As a guy, I have many pre-conceived images of what kinds of breasts are considered attractive (both sexually and visually) through various media channels.

I have been searching for a website that is both educational and respectful in its approach towards female bodies and I'm glad I have found it in yours.

Your home page's message and real life pictures of normal female breasts in your website's picture galleries has helped me greatly; by guiding my mind NOT to think of breasts as some kind of trigger to think about having sex or entertain any sexual fantasies.

I personally hope your website would not only help women of all ages to be more reasonably self-assured about their own body images, but would also serve as a educational platform for men from all walks of life to learn to seriously respect any female they see instead of viewing their bodies (particularly breasts) as mere objects or tools which trigger or help sustain sexual urges and satisfaction.

This website and its galleries can be part of the fight against porn, as long as the overall direction and tone of its messages are kept educational, conciliatory and non-judgmental.

To all the ladies out there, regardless of age and race, you are beautiful the way you are. Breast implants are not a true reflection of what females are endowed with naturally.

To all the men out there (especially those seeking to help themselves overcome lust and sexual addiction), let's work together to love and respect the females we see and interact with based on who they really are inside (their values and attitudes towards love and life) than treating their bodies as mere objects or tools to satisy us men.

Geo

I came across your site by accident because I just implemented a new safe search engine on my web site and typed breasts in it to see what results I would get. I was very interested in the comments and views here. As a man I have fallen prey to the media and have become obsessed with women's breasts. I was never breast fed and believe the first time I ever saw a breast was in pornographic magazine. I believe these experience rewired my brain and the media has only increased this faulty thinking. When having my son I was very involved in helping his mom breastfeed, from actually holding him to her breasts after his birth because she was too tired to helping pump with our manual breast pump. Unfortunately as a divorced single dad I am still struggling with this obssession. I utilize my bounce technique as often as possible in which my eyes will start to look at a women and then I imediately catch myself and look in the opposite direction. But it is still a battle. Do have any other suggestions on how to wean a 32 year old man from the breast? Thank you for your work.

The problem you experience is unfortunate, and unfortunately has been caused by the way this society teaches us to view breasts. To rectify it is not easy but IS certainly possible.

The one main solution has to do with rewiring the brain and getting rid of the association "breasts = sex" that has become so automatic.

Remember Pavlov's dogs? They trained the dogs to expect food whenever a bell rang. The media and pornography trains men's brains to start arousal at the sight of a female breast.

Consider breasts being on the same "level" as other female body parts such as hands, lips, hair, face, legs etc., and so then seeing breasts alone won't be especially sexually exciting. In other words, female breasts should just be "part of the package" of the female form, but not a special sexual object alone and in themselves.

One of the best ways to do this is to visit a topless beach where all people - men and women - are at ease, where the atmosphere is totally non-sexual, and yet where breasts are all around you. When you see them a lot, it becomes very usual, normal, nothing special, even boring.

And yes, we have gotten reports on how this truly works.

So if economics allow, consider vacationing in the Caribbean.

Still pictures can help some too; however the live situation is so much better because you will see how the women are just going about their things without sexually provocative postures or anything.

PLEASE MOMMY...

GIVE ME SOME MILK!

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Other people's comments

The following comments are from various visitors to www.007b.com, and may or may not agree with the viewpoints presented on this website. The comments are posted here because they might further help and encourage men and women who visit this website; however 007 Breasts is not responsible for this content or any loss/damage caused by reading these.

As a man, I think much of the male obsession with breast relates to the development of breast at puberty. A male growing up has always had his penis, so we know no different. Whereas a woman's breast don't [grw] until puberty and become very obvious to all. That not only is a change that women have to adapt to, but is a mystical unknown to men, that can lead to an obsession.

wallen

I want to start off by saying how grateful I am for this site. I am a 21 year old female that is disappointed in the culture that surrounds me. I often visit different sites that show everyday women and their bodies and love your site and what it is doing. It is great for men and women of all ages. So many women struggle with their bodies and thinking they are not good enough, not realizing their breasts are perfect the way they are, and I think your site is accomplishing so much by allowing women to become comfortable with their breasts.

I am tired of American culture acting as if breasts are shameful and yet at the same time irresistible to men. Women are not objects and should not be so sexualized. Thank you so much for creating this site, for I truly believe it is doing so much good. It makes me feel so happy to know others feel the same about the female body. Keep up the good work!

AA

I LOVE women no matter their breast size. I felt very strongly to respond to your blog issue. Body image is so important especially in the maturing teens. By the way, I'm a single 54 year old male. I wish you all the best.

Randy B.

As a 17 year old girl going through severe insecurity about my body, I was so relieved to find this website. I am a AA cup bra and I've grown up on the idea set out by the media and my male peers that a woman must be a B cup or larger to be considered "sexy" and that my flat chest made me not fully a "woman" I was teased in 8th grade about my chest size and ever since have resented my body.
A week ago I was seriously considering implants the day of my 18th bday but now that I have found this site I may reconsider. It's nice to finally find a site where breasts aren't sexualized as they are all over media.

Hannah

hey thanks heaps for having this web site, I really admire your courage in setting this web site up to assist with helping others to clear up subjects that seemingly have muddy waters or shame attatched to it.

I think the world needs more confrontations in these areas.

I'm a 28 year old male living in Australia and I've been doing some self reflection into why I feel sexual about certain parts of the female body and not others, you know like the elbow for instance. Now I'm wanting to feel into the personality more and more and it's much more joyfull.

Having said that, currently there is still sometimes the desire to have a sexual reaction to the site of breasts, and as I felt into the reasons why, I began to feel into my history as a child and how I was treated. See, many men use sexual feelings as a cover often for how sad they feel on the inside through the absence or lack of love in their early childhood environmets (obviously to do with mum since it relates to the opposite sex), and from my own experience use it as a bit of an emotional addiction to cover over the grief we feel of being under nurtured by our mothers. I know this might seem a bit taboo to mention something like unloving and mother in the same sentence, but in my situation this is definitely the case. By the way, I'm not judging mothers here. I'm simply stating the truth of my relationship growing up. And to me it makes sense that what I desperately seek for in my adult life is simply due to that same thing (nurturing) being being non-existent in my environment as I grew up.

The sooner we reflect more on our urges the quicker we can realise our addictions and release them.

Not to say the all emotional injuries come from undernurturing; also on the other end of the scale there can be overnurturing.

So anyway, when I feel sexual responses towards specific anatomy, there is certainly always an erroneous reason as to why. Ws you correctly stated at the top of this page, in a perfect human condition you would love one another as a package where the majority in fact would be the personality, because when you think about it, soulmates don't discover one another because of a certain types of anatomy. It has all to do with feelings involved in connecting to each others personality.

Sorry if I went a bit sidetracked I guess you catch my drift.

Anyway thanks again.
cheers tim

I would like to point out that breasts can serve a sexual function as well, although their primary biological purpose is producing milk. However, the amount of sexual focus given breasts is disproportionate and needs to be addressed. As you say, nudity is not an inherently sexual thing.

Stella

Excellent initiative - I have bookmarked this and will refer any friends that may be having breast issues to it. I had my own issues as a young woman - the usual "why aren't my breasts perkier and why are my nippples so big" one that many others have had. Now at 62 I am great friends with my 34E breasts - after breastfeeding 4 children they are still fine. I started out as a 34B as a teen, but got a bit more after each baby - not only on the breasts;-) Please keep up the good work - this site is such a wonderful eye-opener!

Alice

Thanku for this site. I was always into breastfeeding and fed my son up to 5 years and sometimes as comfort when he was ill. I started to feel uncomfortable later if he instinctively touched them for security even tho he no longer nursed as I realise I started to let society in and was indeed worried I would make him strange or deviant. I think I can relax now and allow him his comfort, cuddles and security and remember our beautiful bond.

cha

Having grown up in the conservative South, all nakedness and nudity was considered shameful. While I was breastfed along with many siblings, it was done in a secluded area from a nursing bra and never a naked breast. It is almost impossible to view a breast in our 12/26/12 modern culture that is not in a sexualized form. There are naked breasts in movies and the internet and even TV ( cable but when was the last time it was a baby being fed that was shown). I personally have been uncomfortable about breasts as a man my whole life because I feel like I am staring, I am naturally curious and interested, but still see the over sexed images that crowd our culture. I wish women were more open about breast feeding and we could change that so women felt more respected. I think if skin and breasts and being naked were more common, instead of what I was taught, that we would not need to seek the available versions to experience them. Your site is the first non sexual site I have ever seen and I was curious, as my girlfriend has J size cups and I didn't even know what that meant. I am glad to see what normal women look like and how pregnancy and menstrual cycles affect the important women in our lives. Thanks for providing positive information and breaking taboos, and thanks for being brave enough to share ladies even with insecurities. I have a third nipple myself in the middle of my chest and a fused extra rib that is obvious and protrudes (we are just perfectly us) ...Jreed

I somehow managed to stumble across your site and I'm glad I did. I'm a 36 year old female that has had large breasts from a young age. 12 g ( Australian size). I can't remember when I first grew breasts but all of a sudden they were there. At a time where you are already uncomfortable about your body it was made worse with having a large chest when so many other girls didn't. I felt like my breasts became public property as boys and girls would talk about them freely. "Wow are they real?" ( which if I was older and more confident I should have said " no if they were I would of bought a better pair") or "Wow your boobs are huge!" ( er thanks I hadn't noticed and thanks for pointing them out to everyone else in a 10 metre circle.) I always wore high necked tops and hunched my shoulders. I was so embarassed and loathed them and all the attention they received.

As I got into my early 20's I was still not happy with my breasts and thought they were too big and ugly and considered a breast reduction. I was also very overweight and was told to lose the weight as breasts are made of fat. I dreamt of small perky boobs like normal people had. (Admittly I never had the surgery but did drop a fair amount of weight).

In the last few years I have learned to accept them the way they are and be proud of them. They are part of me. I still am prone to hate on them every so often. I'm glad I stumbled on your site and can now see my breasts are pretty normal. What a relief to see normal boobs on normal people and not perfect ones like what we see in main stream media. This is a great site and wish it had been around 10 years ago.

Lou

am a man in my mid 50's and found this site by accident. First, women worry too much over their breast size and shape. Ladies out there, breasts are beautiful and don't be too hard on yourselves. You do not know what men worry about but I think you know. Take care of your body and let the worries go. I know there is a match as in man and woman for everyone. I hope this mail will help, thank GOD for woman's breast, the world is a better place. Jerry........

Breast size is not an issue with me. I prefer small to no breasts on a woman. It is her personality that is the important thing.

jeremy

YOUR WEBSITE WAS VERY HELPFUL TO ME I THOUGHT MY BOOBS WERE NOT NORMAL BUT NOW I CAN FEEL BETTER ABOUT MYSELF THANK YOU VERY MUCH AND GOD BLESS. johanna

A woman who is ashamed of her breasts should not be. They are hers and nobody can say that they are the wrong size. Spend time in Spain, and you will see.

jermey

Wow, upon reading this I am SO happy I live in Europe! Where it's fine to show naked human bodies on national television, also at daytime, because a body is just a body and not primarily a sexual object. If they're going to show a dressing room, you're going to be seeing breasts, buttcracks and the occasional glimpse of pubic hair. It shocks nobody and therefor I think makes people a lot les self-conscious about their bodies and sex.
However, about breast shape and size there of course still is a lot of insecurity. Even if breastfeeding in public is normal and butts on television are okay, we would all still prefer looking like the young perky actresses in those movies over the baggy breasts we have. Well, I do anyway.
So thank you for this website! It helps a lot of people.

Lara

I'm a female with beautiful breasts, and I used to be very self conscious about how small they were. This site has helped a lot. It has been educational and eye opening, and I must admit, it's a very interesting point of view. I would disagree with trying to reduce breasts to the same level of sexuality as something like thighs, or lips, though. They're a wonderful thing, practical and life-enabling, but they're also a big thing in sex as well. I don't want to desexualize my breasts entirely. Breasts are fun, beautiful and exciting, and I only want one special person to be able to enjoy them, and I want them to feel very privileged to enjoy them. Breasts should never be boring in anyone's eyes, simply because of how wonderful they are.

Dayna

I'm starting to feel ashamed about how I've begun to view breasts since, probably since the very beginning of my adolescence. I'm 18 right now and though I do know that the main purpose of breasts is for nursing, I'm still stuck with the conception that breasts are also a sexual object, something erotic. I'm beginning to wonder why breasts have to be surrounded in taboo, and why does the media have to make them out to be a sexual object? Honestly I'm a little irritated now.

I don't know if my feelings will ever change, I'd prefer not to be stuck with an eternal 'fetish' for breasts. I don't know how my mom treated breastfeeding with me, I don't ask, I probably never will, as it seems like sex all together is kept on the hush-hush and on a down low. As I think about it, sure in some ways, we (The US) are more advanced than some other countries, but when it really gets down to things, we are just a bunch of perverted and sex crazed society. Not to say everyone has blended in, but just that things are just so ridiculous..

Alex

My Mother was really open about breasts. She showed me that breasts always have two uses--Normal & Sexual !! Normal came first, because that's what breasts made for...feeding newborns until they are weaned. The Sexual use for breasts SHOULD be the times when secrecy (privacy). My Mother SHOWED me how breasts are used for normal uses AND for sexual uses, under very careful situations !! She made sure that I understood the differences, and when it's appropriate & acceptable!! When to think of breasts as milk bottles, and when to think about them as "play toys"!!
It's too bad that all children had that opportunity while they were growing up! Then, we wouldn't have all the sexual crimes that are so prevolent, today.
Sex Education begins at home, where it's free to ask questions without fear.

Doug

Naked is the ultimate expression of confidence- if you are ok with being naked you can take your self any where in the world. All breasts are natural and beautiful. Bring breast out of the closet and be free into the sunlight and be healthy.

mustang

HEY! This website has been MOST important to my understanding of breast and children's OBSESSION with "boobies." I fully endorse your message! so important.

an admirer

I love your website! I've never had the problem of being obsessed, but because breasts have been so sexualized and are considered taboo I've always felt uncomfortable with being topless around others and others being topless around me. Hearing this new and fresh opinion has allowed me to rethink my views on breasts.

Joanna Muja

Oh! I loved this whole website. The way you all have written is marvellous! I mean it completely changed my point of view.. my way of thinking. I used to be one of those immature and ignorant people that viewed breasts as a taboo. Like a something that's to be hidden (under a bra) all the time and if not, the girl is perverted, bad, characterless, etc. She wants attention, etc. But not anymore. I've grown much mature and understanding within the past 1 hour I spent on your website. I bet, every male human being that reads these articles, will become less perverted and his point of view will change too. And that's something that made me favorite your website! Good job! Keep it up! :) <3

ABC

As a liberal person, I definitely agree with what you have written here, but I also would like to add that this should apply to the human body as a whole. The media is so much sexualizing these things. They are just parts of the body. As a man, I tend to judge women based on how they carry themselves. Their assertiveness to what they want, their attitude, a little about their confidence, but mostly how true they are to themselves. Size doesn't matter. The whole does.

Scarlet

I breast fed both of my children in the 80's in California. One of my best experiences was as I was breast feeding in a restaurant. I would put a blanket over my shoulder to cover the baby and myself. Modesty was expected. I had an older woman come up to the table. She expressed her enjoyment at seeing a your woman breastfeeding. She asked if she could peek at the baby. I lifted the blanket. She reached down and ran her finger across my sons face while I was breastfeeding. It was the most natural response and there was no awkwardness. I was so encouraged by that lady's reactions.

Dawn

Every once in a long while you happen to bump into an organisation or an event that makes you think: "I wish I could claim to have been the origin of this!" Stumbling onto gotopless.org gave me that exact feeling! However, the mere existence of the need for such an organisation (and there must be a need, or it wouldn't have existed in the first place) and the attention it stirs up, above all in media, is evidence of the sad attitude towards the fact that roughly half the population of Homo Sapiens have been blessed with two of the most beautiful and wonderful attributes known to us that exists in so many cultures around the globe!

Why are so many individuals in those societies so terrified of the mere sight of these attributes that they forsake no opportunity to attempt to hide them, or, even photographic or artistic representations of them?

I don't think that anybody would seriously claim the Jerry Springer Show to be a family show, but nonetheless, the viewers must be "protected" from the, apparently, lethal effects of bare nipples and/or breasts by fuzzing them out! Admittedly, I was never part of the American society, and, therefore never influenced by its values and prejudiced views upon fully or partly exposed body parts. Consequently, I do not understand the danger in having caught sight of one of nature's wonders. So, I wake up every morning in deep gratitude for not having to endure the pain of living in such a devastating terror it must be to constantly be tormented by the risk of being targeted by a bared nipple, every second of the day! I used to be an active nudist/naturist in my younger years, and I remember clearly the discussions we used to have about how far we should venture into the concept of public nudity. Should we work towards a legislation that allowed public nudity whenever the temperatuere and climate allowed it, or should we restrict ourselves to beaches and camping sites and other similar places? We never reached a conclusion. Maybe the discussions are still going on?
Does anyone here have an opinion?

Bengt Grahn

Your site has been a blessing so many women, even the men. Please keep on the good work. Thank you.

ThankGod Ali

I was never breastfed as a child and breasts obsession was not a huge issue for me. My wife, whom I dated beginning when she was 16, was a size 36D. While I loved her figure, her breasts size was not the first thing I noticed about her. It was her long red hair. I do think that both men and women tend to go overboard with the breast issue. Young women enjoy flaunting their breasts but hate being noticed by men when doing so.

Mike

Just dropping in : All girls who are depicted on this website, enjoy your small, wellformed, formkeeping, breasts - also no hindrance in this or that movement. And attractiva. And - for some occasions - no trouble with a cleavage far down. Please !! forget implants !!

Now I am a 74 year old European, used to sauna and nude beaches : Well, small is beautiful.

Decades ago we here also were breast - crazy. Late mediaeval and renaissance statues and paintings showed a breastfeeding Mary - nobody bothered. Then the big taboo came - strange enough. Neverrrrr in the world see or let see nipples -or heavens will fall down and mountains will crash and oceans will flood the land - or maybe you get blindfolded. The sight siply will distur the healthy development of the youth - as authorities, officials, magistartes and judges told us. Strange enough this did not count for pictures from the African Mission field. As teens we were guided to Pater Gusindes slide shows ; Protestant missionaries Ernst Kotz's illustrated book was on our bookshelf.

Make an end of the mammary madness! Enjoy your female distinction!

philoalexandrinus

I believe the biggest problem about breasts in media is the fact that generaly breasts are seen as a taboo fruit. Which makes men want them more. If breasts were to be made into a normal part of life, then our country(USA) would not have such an obsession towards breasts. I've tried talking to both males and females about this opinion and have been given negative answers from both sides. After reading from this site, this is the first time I've seen anything actually agreeing with my opinion.

I have always viewed breasts as both a sexual organ and a food source for children, as I was taught at a young age they are used for breast feeding. I believe that it should be fine to be attracted to breasts, but not to judge by them. Breasts, that have never had surgery, are the perfect breasts no matter thier size, and I think women should be discouraged to surgery on them. Surgery on breasts, aside from that which is done to lessen pain, is just a show on how badly our media has breasts shown as a taboo fruit. Which in the end causes problems for both men and women. I for one only knew that men had a problem towards breasts, but after reading this, I've been enlightened to the fact that women too have a problem. I just wish for both sides to have this taboo taken away and turned into a normal part of life.

Andrew

I have to say that I have found much of what is presented on this web site to be very good.

When I was in the third grade, I found this question to have more truth in it than I first thought. I will give the question/ riddle and then an observation afterwards.

"What do barbed wire fences have in common with the bikini?" Answer: "They are both said to protect the property with out obstructing the view."

NOTE:#1 The interesting thing is that they both are easiely violated. #2 the other faqct is that here in the USA, the majority of the women who will wear the bikini in public (and think it in good taste) would NEVER be caught wearing her bra and underpants in the same venue. As I see it they are both designed almost alike.

Having said this I will have to agree that the exposure of the breast as well as the rest of the body over a period of time, will desensitize a person to consider the naked body as a sex object. I also don't see anything wrong with breast feeding in public.

This Web site seems to have a very balanced approach. Keep up tha good work.

Ken Cheever

My son naturally weaned but whenever he sees his sister breastfeeding, he tries to push her off and get some. It's hilarious, I don't feel odd I just tell him that he drank this once but now it's his sister's milk. I'm very open to my kids about breasts and what they are for, so whenever I do get them out to feed, my son goes, "Little sister, drink milk" (in Indonesian though) and points.

Cheri

All of this, and much much more, is in my book 'Breastfeeding Older Children', Free Association Books, 2010. Though it has some theoretical chapters, there are chapters on most aspects of breastfeeding older children, plus statements from mothers, fathers and children throughout. Feedback has been wonderful! It's in many local, national and academic libraries around the world, so if you can't find it/buy it, get your local library to stock it and provide a free resource for parents!

Ann Sinnott

hi, I am a 14 year old little girl. I started getting my breasts about a year ago and this site has helped me realize my breasts are perfect and beauty I am a blossoming young woman.

jayne

Thank you so much for this website! I stumbled across it after feeling completely inadequate. I sometimes cant help but compare myself to what society has perceived as the "perfect breasts", which mine are far from. I've gone from a 32a to a 40D ever since i got pregnant with my first child. I've proudly breastfed all 3 of my babies,and they are happy and healthy, and I would like to feel proud of myself(and my breasts) for it. This website has certainly helped!!! Thank you again.

Kristina

I just stumbled onto your site and was very impressed! It is very well presented, and educational, but I would like to mention a few things. MOST men are probably naturally attracted to a woman's breasts because of instinct, and being breast fed as a baby. It's one of the first things that are put in your face, it is warm and soft, it's has nourishment, and it is comforting. These are all the things that make a baby feel good. So I think as we grow to become men, that still holds true, even though they are not used for nourishment (most of the time) anymore. A woman's breasts are still are warm and comforting, and men generally still love sucking and touching them, and yes it is exciting too. This is nothing to be ashamed of, and a woman shouldn't think that men just attracted to her because of her breasts. The thing is, although men are visual creatures, it's the total package that counts, mind and body.

Sean

As a professional videographer who has many plastic surgeons as clients I have viewed countless "before and after" photos of women who have had breast enhancement surgery. It's a wonderful option for the right woman at the right time with the right surgeon at the right price. The price could be merely money but could also be death or stroke-- something to think about. I've often thought when viewing these before and after shots "why?". Why did she do that to her beautiful, natural breasts?

Is it possible that size is important only in attracting men from afar? They are attracted to the big breasts initially I think at a base level because the male instinct tells the guy this is a good female to mate with; she will be able to feed her young; it's somewhat of an animal thing. That may have been really good eons ago when it was so important to multiply and prosper as a species but isn't really a very good way attracting suitable mates these days.

So you're a young woman and you think bigger breasts will be better for many reasons. If it's to attract a mate you might miss "Mr. Right". Let's say your new bigger, fuller look gets you more dates. With whom? What if the guy is only in love with your breasts? One day he will dump them for another set. Once he gets over his love affair with your breasts all that's left is you. Are YOU enough? What if your "Mr. Right" is turned off by fake looking balloon shaped Barbie breasts? He may not even approach you.

How sad it is that a young woman would spend any energy or resources trying to change her body to please a man who likely is not worthy of her. When does it end?

I'm a 58-year-old man who has been around the block. It's the woman who makes the woman. Good things come in small packages. It would be interesting to learn how many men are turned off by surgically enhanced breasts. Again, the right procedure for the right woman with the right surgeon is a choice each woman must make. I agree that we men in the U.S. are obsessed with female breasts possibly because they are hidden from us. It's clear to me that it's a cultural phenomenon.

Be well ladies. God has your picture on His refrigerator. You're beautiful as you are, before or after.
Ricky G., Oceanside, California

What a blessing this website is. All my worries and preconceptions about breastfeeding, nipple size, sagging breast etc. are gone forever. I love what I have been given by God and thankyou thankyo so much for all the helpful information.

amy

My wife breast fed both of our daughters. Now that the older one is 12 and developing this was a great site to help her. We have always told both our girls the media sells everything with sex and to be confident in themselves, no matter what they look like. She can see a great example of how Mom and Dad are not stupid, maybe they might know what they are talking about. I think, and certainly hope, this site will help many young women develop the self confidence in themselves. It might even help change a few minds of the male persuasion.

Todd

I live in North America and sincerely agree with the fact that things have to change in North America to allow females the liberty to be natural and comfortable like other parts of the world. Equally, it is imperative that females stop using their body parts as tools, because once you create the market, it will exist. The problem is largely created by the women themselves and not only the doctors and the media. I was raised in a third world country where half of the girls I grew up with did not wear bras or even cover their breast until age 18. We had no interest in even looking at their breast at all or even admiring them. We saw the beauty of a woman without necessarily looking at the breast.

When I got to North America, the mentality around here is really weird. Ninety percent of the girls use their breast as tools to obtain favors and services from men they feel they can not have otherwise. Like police tickets, grades in schools, porn, money, promotion, etc. Why should a female dress completely well and leave half her breast out? It provokes the curiosity of the beholder. All females know there are bras that allow them to show their breast, even if they have tiny breast, to allow them attract men. Females should advocate the natural dignity of all women, I strongly support it.
Thanks
Baz

Hello,

It's hard to swallow everything at once after reading tons of information that really has been a wonder to me my entire life. I grew up with two parents that really tried their best to explain everything to me. My mother always was open and tried to make sure that I learned anything that I was curious about. This was all fine and dandy for the household but unfortunately she was the only one that thought that way. Whenever I went to my grandma's house and a nude scene or topless lady was on TV, my grandmother tended to cover my eyes with her hands as it was being showed. This of course only made me angry and even more curious. What was so sacred about a naked women that I couldn't know about.

Soon later I started seeing other people and going to school and that I have to admit was when I become afraid to even talk about it. I remember so well, I was in class and if anyone in the school even mentioned a sexual organ, You were suspended. No question! So naturally I figured stay away from it. I was punished many times for even bringing it up.

So, I went to my parents again. My father being a man was embarrassed a definite double standard. He wanted me to grow up as a bachelor and never worry about girls. Asking him stuff was pointless. His answer was always "It's Normal". My mother tried again but I never truly was shown an answer always told. So of course what does one do when he wants to know something? He goes online and googles it. Of course I found more porn than anything and began thinking that, That was the way of life. No one bothered telling me or rather showing me what I was supposed to know. It was always in theory or possibly not told to me at all.

I am a prime result of what will happen if you don't tell your children the plain and simple truth. It starts as curiosity, becomes jealousy and leads to hate and pain.

I hope this story helps in someway, Because I vowed never to let my children go through what I did.

Nick

Dear Ladies,
I believe (as male) that however you are shaped there, this is not the most important. The most important is you: the person. When I decided to ask my girl for marriage, it was not because of her boob size, it was simply love with the person. The rest was a bonus and still remains like that, meanwhile two children further she has grown some fat and als increased breast size. I'm more for the smaller breast size, but as expained before, when the women I love has a different size, it is OK, even better then OK because she is the one I love.

I don't know if this comment helps, but would like to add: when you have a friend that makes a problem about your breast size, you might ask yourself the question whether it really is a friend?. Furthermore, do not care about what other "will" think. Probably they will not think what you think they would think (sorry when it becomes a bit complicated), just be yourself and show that: you will glow always!

Dirk, from Belgium.

My breasts are a 36D. Up until this pas summer I didn't like my breasts. I went to the spa where women can be topless. A friend of mine saw my breasts and made a comment that I had nice breasts and she couldnt believe they looked so firm at 48.

beth

Thought of this site when I read this:

www.wnem.com/story/16056101/judge-chastises-woman-for-breastfeeding-in-courtroom?utm_source=va&utm_medium=rec&utm_campaign=content

Unbelievable...

PrimitiveKat

Yes I agree with everything you state about making breasts taboo etc and I found that going to a nudist family beach really does train the mind to view the whole body as a perfectly natural thing, where men, women, and children are at ease with their and other's bodies.It can be a very healing experience after the initial discomfort of exposing one's own body for the first time.

Lin

I am the founder of NINJA NIPs (No INJustice Against Nursing In Public), which was a response to a local business discriminating against my daughter and I after I nursed her at their establishment while watching my older 2 participate in their Ninjitsu classes. Earlier this month, a woman in a neighboring city was humiliated for nursing her infant in a courtroom. I have organized a nurse-in/protest due to the judge's ridiculous actions.

Mackenzie Hatfield-Johnson

Women's breasts are defined as obscene, indecent, taboo objects. They are hyper-sexualized and inappropriately obsessed over by, I would say, the majority of males. Women are controlled by this societal attitude towards their breasts and their freedom to make decisions about their own breasts is restricted.

This definition is imposed upon women whether we like or not. We don't get a choice. What if I don't see my breasts as sexual objects? What I think doesn't matter and I had better follow the rules about what I should do with my own breasts. The attitude and threat communicated to women daily is "Keep your breasts covered and/or bound by bras, or else." Or else what?

You will be seen as a slut, trashy or easy by men if you dont keep your breasts bound and hidden. Men will feel entitled to stare at women, make comments about our breasts, and otherwise sexually harass us if we dont follow this very rigid rule about how a woman should act and behave concerning our own breasts. They will use how we dress as an excuse to disrespect us and act in deplorable ways. We are still at a point where if a woman has the audacity to show her breasts in any way that is not socially acceptable, and she is raped while doing so, she will be blamed for not following the keep your breasts covered rule. Men are given permission to treat women badly when we dont follow the rules of what a woman should be. They are not expected to take responsibility for their actions because they get to blame the woman. Women are very quickly punished by society for stepping out of line and not doing what we are told concerning our own breasts. We are treated like children.

Maybe it's not men's fault that they are culturally conditioned to see women's breasts as hyper-sexualized objects. But that doesn't give them a free pass to treat women anyway they want to. I'm not going to tolerate having my breasts and my being disrespected by men just because they have been culturally conditioned to disrespect me and other women with their invasive staring and stupid, immature comments, all because of their breast obsession. I hold them accountable for their actions whether society does or not. And I will not be controlled by these insulting attitudes about breasts. I alone make the decisions about my breasts, not society and not other people.

Chris

Hi, I was one of the many coming across the site by accident. I feel that there is a lot of truth to what you are saying, especially in the respect the society's attitude towards breasts is mildly ignorant. Also, it joys me to see something being done about the comparing game, and making women realize how beautiful they are. However, (and this is just my personal opinion) I could do without such a negative attitude towards "Western" culture. I understand that you have a very good point, and it would definitely have that kind of freedom here in the US, but that kind of a change is many years away. Other than that, I really enjoyed the website, and hope that more people come to realize that breasts are just fat and mammary glands, not sexual fantasy prompts, and (for women) that their breasts are beautiful no matter shape size or color.
Thanks again!
Christine

Thank you for the article and for all comments. I agree the idea that woman's breasts are oversexualized in our culture is terrible. As a woman I feel under the strong pressure that my breasts should be attractive, big and pert at the same time, which is actually rare.
I sense this boobs-obsession get inside my mind, and makes me concentrate not only on my own ones but also on other women's breasts, I stare at them, compare to mine, judge. I feel that's absurd, but it's so hard to vanquish the idea that woman IS breasts and not a human being.

Lulu

I am very impressed with the attention given to small breasts on this website. When I was younger I was more impressed with large breasts but when I met the woman who became my wife I fell in love with everything about her, including her very very small breasts. It was the first time that I had been with a woman with small breasts and I was very impressed with how "beautiful" and firm they are. Actually I have learned to love and to prefer woman with small breasts. Size does not matter and I really don't understand why a woman would get implants. Just like some people prefer blonds or brunettes, some people (such as me) prefer small breasts. Breast size does not make you a "woman." Lastly, her small breasts are the most beautiful breasts that I have ever seen. If you have small breasts don't ruin them with surgery / fake boobs! Save you're money and be confident!

Rick

Your page is such informative. I am a 24 years old girl and always imagined of having larger breasts but now I feel different. Thanks to your article.

Jyo

I luv this website it is educative and informative. I am 22yrs old, have a big boobs. Initially when I was growing up I used to be ashamed because of the size. I even wore two bras at a time. Later a large lump was removed from my breast at the age of 19 and my breast is still in good shape. Men should try not to look at the breast object of sex. Ladies, be proud of your boobs no matter how it is

Glo

My second comment on this site, now discussing breasts in general. Confidence is something you can learn from early age, especially body confidence. The most horrible examples of the contrary, is when parents (mothers esp.) encourage their daughters to enhance their breasts, even pay for it. I live in Norway, and girls 18 and younger have breast enhancement (silicone) to be "normal", and fit in among their peers. Being students, of course their parents pay for it. It's terrible! Instead of teaching them how to accept their bodies and appreciate it, they model their children into some image of perfection. This is a message to all parents with teenage daughters: If your daughter has small or large breasts, and feel insecure about them, show her this website and discuss the topic until you have changed her mind. B.r. Mette

Wow! thank you so much for this site. I have 2 grown sons both of whom were breastfed. I have always thought, "as long as they (breasts) work, then that is what matters". I feel for young girls today having to view all of the misogynist images of women that are plastered everywhere. I am now in my 50's and I don't watch TV or go to movies anymore because I can't stand looking big fake breasts in my face. The camera shots of women in many movies show her with no head, just breasts. It is insulting and humiliating! I hope girls and women will find your site. I plan to sent this to every one I know, again Thank You!

Deborah

Hi, I'm 17 from Canada I've grown up without a mother figure in my life so I never got to see what breasts look like apart from TV and movies until I developed my own. I really like reading about breastfeeding and the sickness the media has spread about breasts. Even though I'm young, I still want to learn about my body and the things that could happen when I get older. I want to thank you for all the information on this website and I think now I have a different perspective about my own breasts. I've always thought I was a freak of nature because I have one breast that is less than a B-cup and one that is almost bigger than a C-cup, for a while I was even worried that I had breast cancer because of the different sizes. I live with my dad and my brothers and I can't ask them questions about these kinds of things (for obvious reasons) and I used to never leave my room without a bra on, but now even if I don't feel comfortable without a bra on when I go outside, I think now I can be at least more comfortable in my own home, and if my family tells me it's gross or indecent I can tell them the things I learned on this website! I'm going to show this website to all my friends (even the boys) and I hope that more people come to see breasts as the miraculous things they are and not for sexual gratification, so thank you and keep educating others <3 Let's make this a world-wide revolution!

Jessica

Thank you so much. I sometimes get very sensitive about my small breasts. (32a) Even though they're just joking, my friends pick on them. It hurts very much. I cannot help the fact I'm so small. Seeing other girls with small breasts that aren't photoshopped or enhanced was actually comforting. I was actually crying I was so happy to realize that I'm not "ugly". I am healthy and beautiful. I have something that will help me to raise my future children. I can create life and sustain it. Once again, THANK YOU! :')

Rachel

I'm a 28-year old woman from Finland and it was really nice to see a website that has a non-sexual and natural way of seeing breasts. In Finland things are a bit different because of our cultural traditions. In our culture people have for hundreds of years had the tradition of going to sauna. For those who dont know what sauna means or what it means for Finns, it is a room that is heated for very hot temperature and were people go to relax and sweat away their stress. Families all over Finland use sauna often weekly and usually families go there naked. In many families childern can see their parents' bodies in natural and non-sexual way and also see what happens to their bodies when they grow older. It's absolutely normal in here, that families go to sauna together until the puberty of the children. And I want to underline, that even though women, men and children go to sauna together, there is nothing sexual about it. Nudity in family is often considered natural in Finland. This doesn't mean that we hang around naked all the time, but the attitudes towards nudity are perhaps more natural in Finland than in some countries.

That also means that girls and boys have often seen natural breasts and usually know what breasts are for. The attitudes towards public breastfeeding are unfortunately getting more and more unapproving, but it's still considered quite a natural thing to do (as it should be, in my opinion). What is worrying, is that even though natural breasts are not a taboo for Finnish people, the developement has been that young girls and women are very self-concious about their breasts, because of the images that they get from media and pornography.

For myself, I can say that I learned to accept my own body and especially my breasts when I met my fiance, who loves natural breasts and can't understand the media hype for unnatural and "plastic" breasts. For that, I'm really grateful because I have suffered for low self-esteem for most of my life. I'm also happy, that I had the chance to grow up in an environment and culture, where nudity isn't overly sexualised.

Salla

There are a lot of men that don't think twice about going to see strippers but once a woman pulls out a breast to feed her baby are totally disgusted by the sight and think they should go to a restroom to breast feed. I can't imagine telling someone to take their meal into a public restroom. I'm a J cup and can't even consider going in public without a bra but I have noticed that men treat you like you asked for large breasts and deserve to be stared at. I have actually been asked why I don't show them off. I believe that ignorance leads to breast augmentation.

Betty

H I Maria, I'm a 37 year old man who found your site looking for info about my 10 year old daughter's development. This site is extremely informative. I understand how women mature but I was looking for info on how to help ease her through, the emotional side of it without being an inconsiderate male. My wife can confirm I'm not the the best at the "feelings" side of anything.
This site seems to help a lot of young girls to see they are totally normal. Besides who's to say what is normal? I am very glad you tell them that they don't need big breasts to be beautiful and feminine. The only I would say is that some women think men only want big breasts. But that is not true men love all breasts big and small and everything in between. I just hope I can get through to my daughter that she is beautiful not her "parts". Thanks for the help and keep up the good work.

Wil A.

Hi! I JUST came across your site today and I'm VERY happy I did! I'm rather young (22) but have seen how media and men/boys are about breasts and realize how a lot of girls feel 'inadequate'. You should really try and get this site into every middle school in America in a fight against the way media represents breasts and to help girls percieve themselves as beautiful no matter how their breasts are.

Bonnetta Gregory

I think this website is brilliant and people should be wearing t-shirts promoting it.

Not only does it help men relax a little in regards to their sexual attitude to women but it helps women relax in their attitude to themselves.

Most importantly it helps men and women BETTER INTERACT WITH EACH OTHER! It helps our relationships, women are more open and relaxed about their bodies and men are less aroused and more appreciative. I still want more pictures of male genitalia in the media also, it may seem a perverted thing to say but it would help both genders to be more open to displays of 'normal' (not airbrushed) nude bodies.

It is worrying that not only are men being programmed to find these media images of women/breasts arousing but women are too (hence all the worry over their breasts) - I have been programmed to find women attractive and it's taken me a long time to find my husband's body arousing when I know I find him attractive (women are often taught that men are ugly and women are beautiful). It isn't just about breasts, the media is a big problem, it makes us ashamed of who we are, programs us to find certain things attractive and we lose a part of who we are.

Keep the comments from men coming in, I love reading their point of view!

Sandra

I came to this site to learn more about breasts. As I have a pair also, most, maybe almost all men have never had them enlarged, or gone to lactate. I have by accident, by living with two young girls out of high school back in 80's. I had this herbal book Herbally Yours. In it it gives several herbs to help lactate and to help feed children. I had helped themselves to the book. Then they went and got several of the herbs and used them. But when they did it they made a large supply, not marking the milk bottles. They also got the idea to put it in ricekrispee treats, which I like also. Those six herbs heavily used gave me more than anyone would need to start to breast feed their children. The following day by 8am I was covered down to waist undershirt totally wet of breast milk. Now today I still have fairly large breasts. For those who want more breasts use the herbs carefully. Look up each one and what each will do before using them: Blessed Thistle (cold), Chlorophyll, Fennel, Alfalfa, Red Raspberry, and Marshmallow (warm). By the way, do not use marshallows in bags; they are made from sugar by-products. To those women now breastfeeding, adding the herb Marshmallow to your diet will help your baby sleep thru the night. It also relaxes your stomac, and theirs.

Joe

I was breast fed as a child and I don't remember being bottle fed on a regular basis. My Mother knew the advantages and I've benefited with good health. I have a very positive view toward breast feeding for any Mother, parent, any time, any place.

But despite that bonding that I had with my Mother societies view that breasts should not be seen was enforced in my mind. So I'm in agreement that breasts should come out of hiding. If we started seeing them regularly it would take away the mystery and remove the sexual connotations as they became more common place. Women should be respected for the role they play.

I do feel it's a double standard that men are allowed to go out in public bare breasted and women are not. That just makes no sense and any explanation given why women are singled out is biased. Males also develop breasts, although smaller and much less developed. Gynecomastia is not rare and can happen for many reasons.

Thank you for your website and helping educate all of us and consider what life could be.

Steve

I don't understand why it is such a taboo to breastfeed in public in the U.S. God made women the way they are for a reason, if the mother and child are comfortable, happy an healthy what is the problem? It is a natural function of the human body. I watched my mother breasted feed my younger brother an sister in public in 1981 when I was 11 an my dad was out to sea on submarine duty so I really couldn't talk with him about sex an the so called facts of life. As I watched my mother the only thought that kept going through my head is what a beautiful and loving thing my mom was doing for my siblings. My mother also talked to me about her breastfeeding me as a baby and that it was a perfectly natural thing. I guess every mom is different and has differnt views but I thank God that my mother was honest and open enough to answer my questions from an curious and confused teen boy who was just trying to understand his own body as well as women and sexual relations it made me a better person. In this day an age with all the porn an multimedia is it any wonder young kids today do what they do an are so uninformed about what love, sex, and parenthood is all about? Thank you for this site I stubled across it by accident but I am glad someone is trying to dispell the myths of breastfeeding and educating men and women of all ages.

Dan

Thanks for giving me back my freedom!
After consulting your web page, I've realized that we are "Human Beings" not "Sexual Beasts". First time ever I've realized that with confidence that females are our companion in life, not a sexual tool. Before that, I think it COMPULSORY to get sexually stimulated while looking a girl (even very young), and MUST BE hyper after having a glimpse of their boobs (even fully covered) and NECESSARY (sometimes) to have an imaginary sex (even unwillingly) while looking a naked body. I didn't wish to do so but did as I though it's natural i.e. avoiding it is UNHEALTHY. So many times I'd long arguments with me that I'd not think in that way but my mind always said me Stupid as such conversation. Your site not only show me the truth but also raised my confidence on my analyzing ability.

Ahmad

Ladies, breasts are beautiful and please let men appreciate them for what they are. Not all of us have lascivious thoughts, we just like looking at them. It is no different to admiring the portrait of the Mona Lisa and I am afraid that breast appreciation is not a disease to be overcome, it is a survival instinct which is 'hard wired' into us so that it is not an option we can just 'give up'. Likewise nipples are a natural attribute without which your breasts would be useless. Do not try to disguise the fact that they exist, be proud that you are normal and do let them show through your clothes. Many men will appreciate your appearance, not because they are lusting after you sexually, but merely because you look beautiful to them and they cannot help staring. When you notice such stares, try smiling to acknowledge their appreciation of your looks rather than lumping them all under the category of 'dirty old men'. You really do look gorgeous to their eyes and they thank you for it. Do not condemn us for this our frailty but rather take pity on us and encourage our appreciation of nature's works.

Michael

I was directed to this site by a partner who has an almost pathological breast fetish, and I haven't figured out what he is trying to tell me; I am happy with fluctuating 34C. As a beautiful woman, and a breastfeeding mother, I appreciate the balance and safety of the information and photos here, and thank all the women who have shared their images and statements. Best of luck to you men who are wandering through. If you have the fascination with porn, please be courageous. Take it up and discuss frankly with your own mother.

Fan

There are reasons (practicing) Muslim women wear the kind of clothing they wear... One of them is not having to wear a bra (which MANY women find welcoming) without unconsciously showcasing their "assets" AND even being able to breastfeed in public... Just some food for thought

Observer

I'm so glad that I accidently came across this site and strangely (as a 14 yr old) I feel safer. THANK YOU! And I feel more educated. I kinda feel like crying cause I'm not worried about my breasts being too big T^T. And now I understand why boys stare at me alot. XD Thanks!

Alexandra

Hello, I am a new mother and I made the decision to breast-feed my baby. I am glad I did it because she is a very healthy baby due to it. But I have always had a problem breastfeeding in public because I am always worried about what other people are going to say, think, or do. I tried giving her the bottle only while we were in public and she took it the first few times but after that she refused the bottle and I was then forced to do what I was most uncomfortable doing to be able to feel her, I had to breast feed her in public. It was not as bad as I expected, but I was still uncomfortable with it. Then I was feeling self couscous about my breasts yesterday and about how much they have changed since I have been pregnant and a new mommy and so I was looking for pictures online of "normal breasts". I came across this web site and I have actually read it ALL! I love it! I have recommended it to some of my friends that are mothers and soon to be mothers to help them as well. I feel much more secure about myself as a women and with my breasts, and also with feeding my baby in public. Other people eat in public, why can't she?
Thanks for the website!!!! I love it!!
-Jasmine

I agree with your piece on Breast Obsession. Children should be raised with a normal attitude toward breasts. We in the West have a warped view towards breasts calling them all those "flattering" terms (hooters, funbags, boobs, etc...} It is as if Breasts have a woman attached, not a woman has breasts. I hope to see this change in my lifetime. Yes I was as guilty as anyone of seeing the breasts first, then looking at the woman second. But then came the kids and I saw the way things actually are. I still enjoy by wife's body, but I have gained a respect I never thought possible.

Thanks for your site!

Dennis

This site has been wonderful for me. All the points made about America having the wrong views about breasts have been what I've thinking for some time. I am a 28-year old mother of 4 and I breast fed all of them. I am currently trying to wean my 4th. I have noticed a lot more sagging with this pregnancy and I have a lot of loose skin. The pics on this site of women who haven't even had children proves to me that breasts are not perfect for most. My man does nothing but make me feel better, but in this society I always feel insecure. Your site has made me happy and more comfortable with myself. I don't have to regret breastfeeding my children or feel that I sacrificed having goodlooking breasts for the health of my children and myself. I did want to say for women with breast cancer in there family BREASTFEED your babies and do it a lot. It's natural and your body needs it.
rita

This is really long, but I have a lot to say.

I'm just entering young adulthood and my breasts have been growing since I hit puberty. I am now spilling out of my DD bras ( I hope when I start getting more exercise they will get smaller) and all my teenage years I have been dealing with having large breasts. I have had to deal with the difficulties of finding clothes that fit, males viewing me as a sexual object, and the pain of having large breasts (referring to the physical pan of achiness and back pain, as well as the emotional pain of low self esteem and abuse).

For a long time I struggled with being comfortable with simply the FACT I have large breasts. My male friends (and males who weren't my friends) would tease me (sometimes playfully, sometimes not) about my breasts and my romantic relationships with men seemed to always end up revolving around my large boobs. I would always get harassed by them about taking photos or doing some sort of sexual act to the point where I felt like I had to in order to keep their love and our relationship, because when I didnt I would get a guilt trip that would make me feel like I did something wrong. When I did do what was asked I would often have an immediate self esteem boost by their responses but then would cry later because I felt guilty and dirty. This was an emotional cycle that would occur in every single relationship.

Today I know better than I did back then. I know when men are trying to use me or are taking advantage of me/abusing me and I will not stand for that BS anymore. And I know better than taking some foolish action just to get a small self esteem boost that will only last a couple minutes, because myself and everything around me makes me feel so ugly. But the one thing that still remains is I now have trouble feeling romantically close to someone because I still feel dirty and gross from the things I was convinced to do years ago. And all this was simply because I have large breasts.
Because of all that I also had/have series issues when women either wish they had larger breasts OR when they state that they dont need large breasts to be confident. Of course I am happy for someone when they are confident with the body they were given, but when phrased like that it implies women with large breasts have an easy life and built in confidence. That assumption or implication always, always makes me angry, because it is simply not true. And it always bothers me that there is this strange double standard where society implies that men like large breasts, so then men feel its necessary to inform girls with a smaller bust that they actually prefer women like that and that they think large boobs are gross (especially once men stop being ignorant and realize what big breasts really look like on a naturally bust girl). So in the end, women with large breasts feel sexualized by the media and then actually disliked by real men. And those of us who are naturally built that way cant help it and did nothing to get all this thrust upon them. Hmm. The message of this is that women on both sides of the spectrum have their own insecurities and its not anyones place to make judgments about things we, as individual women, cannot change (unless someone chooses plastic surgery).

Anyway, despite all this I eventually became comfortable with my breasts size, because I LIKE feeling like a woman. But of course as soon as I became comfortable with that I began to hate my breasts again because I realized my boobs didnt look like how I thought breasts were supposed to look. They arent perky and cute like all my other smaller-busted friends or the women that are on TV or in movies. They are saggy, and I have large areolas ( I dont think I spelled that right) that face down a bit. I hate looking in the mirror. I feel gross and ashamed of them. In fact, just writing that made me feel gross. I am not even in my 20s yet and I feel like my boobs are like those of someone in their 40s. I am embarrassed for any future relationships I may have because of what the man I am with will think and my skin scars horribly so I fear that a breast lift in the future would just make them ugly for another reason. This is where my thoughts were at when I found this site, and seeing photos of other womens breasts, reading the different articles on this site, and reading the comments of other women really made me feel better. Made me feel like maybe having breasts like mine is okay. I am sure I will feel depressed sometimes, but hopefully the things on this site will stick and will help me feel confident in my breasts. I even bookmarked it so in the future I can come back here for some emotional support. And maybe when the time comes where a breast lift could actually be a possibility I wont want it.

I would like to add that I especially appreciate the articles about how society has sexualized breasts and how they have become such a big deal to everyone, and they shouldnt be. Its an important issue that I feel close to (obviously given my story). And maybe it would be worth it to write/post something about the specific affects on women because of social pressures and the pressures of men. I think its important to recognize that while things shouldnt be the way they are and that some men wont care what someones breasts look like; society is this way and there will be men who do care and who will try to bring you down and feel flawed. And that because of the media, television, film, ads, magazines and pornography, amongst some people, breasts are figured to look a certain way and when someones breasts dont look that way that person will find them unattractive.

We live in a world, regrettably, where appearance matters; whether its your hair or something as intimate as your nipples. The people who love you wont care what you look like, but there are billions of other people who do and we cant pretend that just because we are comfortable with ourselves that others will be too. And we cant pretend that once and while we wont whose opinions do and dont matter, if any do at all. Men will still make lewd comments at the sexy women on television, congratulate each other on their conquests and hold double standards. The media is going to make you feel bad because your breasts arent as large, small, or perky as the women that they bombard you with. And it is all these things that will make you feel like getting plastic surgery or changing yourself; even though in reality everyone is different and deep down we all know it. And it is all very unfortunate.

Women were oppressed for hundreds of years, we dont need the self created expectations of modern day westernized society to oppress us too.

Hoping everyone can be strong and that things will change,
A.

What a wonderful site! I wish this website could be required reading for every human on earth!! I am a 23 year old first time Mum of a 5 month old boy. I always knew I would breastfeed my babies. My mother was forced to wean me at 4 months and has always felt negatively about that, consequently, she choose to allow my younger brother to self wean. I have fond memories of cuddling with the two of them while he breastfed. He weaned himself at 4 1/2.

My son was born at 35 weeks gestation but fortunately our hospital here is extremely pro-breastfeeding and I had a lot of support, even in the NICU! I was able to exclusively breastfeed since hour 1! I am also fortunate to have a very supportive family, especially my mother.

I have recently been considering allowing my babies to self-wean, and although my husband still has reservations about this, I am now determined!

I have 3 friends who also just had babies and sadly only one of them is still exclusively breastfeeding. I can see different factors which caused each of them to quit or cop out and it's so disappointing that our world has come to the point where it is normal and ACCEPTABLE for a mother not to properly care for her baby!

Although, I believe breasts can be dual-function both as a sexual element as part of the female body and as baby-feeders. The may be exciting to men as a different part a woman has, as facial hair on men is sexy to many women. However, society's brain-washed view of breasts today is totally wrong! I was an early bloomer and was quite self-conscious, I used to hunch to hide my breasts and I now have back problems because of it! I am now a 34E after 3 years of constant work I am now (almost) completely comfortable with them.

I think your site could do to expand on the topic of selfishness as a reason for many women quit early or decide not to breastfeed. Since women's lib became a big thing we have had the attitude of " I deserve it", "me time", etc. A breastfeeding mother can rarely afford to have such thoughts. Motherhood is all about selflessness, giving even when you feel you might not have anything left to give, and the huge rewards and satisfaction that come from taking care of your family in that way. Bottle feeding allows a mother to pass off her responsibility and distance herself from her baby based on the sick idea propagated by our society that she has the RIGHT. I could go on about it all day - it makes me sick to see a young mum lean down and hold a bottle in her baby's mouth while it sits in the car seat! Thank you for the wonderful site, as well as all the wonderful, moving comments! Elyse

This weaning article made me think of my friend's daughter. My friend's wife breastfed until the girl was 3 or so, when she weaned herself. One day I was over visiting my friend and the little girl was sitting on my lap on a kitchen stool. I was chatting with my friend and the little girl was playing with some toys when she suddenly turned around and announced " I want boobie!!" simultaneously pulling down my tank top with the built-in bra, completely exposing me to my friend. There wasn't much to be done other than to tell her "It's not nice to take other people's clothes off, ok?" and pull up my shirt and tuck everything away. My friend and I went on like nothing had happened but it took him a good 15 minutes before his red face cooled down and he could look me in the eye... I was embarrassed too. Why? I guess because I do view my breasts as private thing and I'm not particularly thrilled that he now knows what I look like with my shirt off. So, what's the point of the story? I guess just that I agree that no part of our bodies should be taboo, and it's good to have a comfort level of with our bodies, but children still end up having to learn societal mores one way or another.

Melissa

I feel that almost all breast are beautiful, no matter if the are small and perky big and a little saggy, almost all of them can get their job done no matter their shape nor their size!

John

I have an 8 year old, a six year old, and a six month old. The older two each nursed until they turned 5, and I fully intend the same with the little one. I breastfeed very openly at home, so my children see it as very normal. In fact, if the little one starts fussing, my 6 year old son tells me she needs num-nums (his own term). My 8 year old daughter has had her own digital camera for a year, and I recently looked at the pictures on it. I had no idea she had taken so many pictures of me breastfeeding her baby sister! To her, this is completely normal, natural and beautiful. I am so proud of my children learning from my example despite the differences we see in society.

Crystal

This site, it's amazing. I posted a link to my blog in "breasts from around the world unite!" I'm 19, a 32"D. I've always been extremely insecure with my breasts, since I was a young girl, I was seperated from the nipple as a child and grew up with my father. I never got to know and love and understand the female body. I grew up thinking that my breasts were an embarrassment, some kind of deformity. I matured extremely early around the age of 7 and got made fun of in school and stood out from the other girls. It was a nightmare. I wore baggy shirts and sweaters to hide them, fantasized about giving myself plastic surgery to evade the "burden" but I matured and accepted them as my own. This site is wonderful and beautiful, I am sending a link to my old highschool so they can put this into the lessons (it's a feminist/people studies alternative school). They will absolutly love this.

love, yasmin

Thank you so incredibly much for your beautiful web site!! I have been self conscious about my breasts for as long as I can remember. My breasts are quite small, and even though my husband loves them because they are part of me, I still felt abnormal because I didn't have the perky half cantaloupes that appear on magazine covers. Your gallery of normal breasts was very inspiring. I also appreciate your breastfeeding promotion. It truly saddens me that people wean their babies so young--why deprive your child of such a tremendous benefit! There is ample support for breastfeeding issues. I have never been pregnant, but planning to in a year or so, and I can't wait to breastfeed my baby. I'm planning on breastfeeding about 2 years. It is such a benefit for both baby and mama, why on earth wouldn't I make it a life priority? Thank you for the balanced and beautiful education your site provides. I am sincerely grateful, and hope many others can gain knowledge and a natural, balanced view of the female breast.

Rebecca

It's a good question, "Where did it all start for N. Americans." I might blame Hugh Heffner of Playboy but it may go back before his time. There were photos of big breasts women around before Hugh was born. I'm amazed that a girl was shocked that breasts are for feeding babies. I can't imagine how anyone could be that much "sheltered" about sexuality. It amazes me that so few people read or learn much these days. They spend their lives watching television and learn nothing. The Internet allows us to learn something about nearly any question we have. The men here should note that in S. America the emphasis is on beautiful backsides, and often the bigger they are the more attractive they are seen. Being a salesman I walked into a S. American food restaurant kitchen lately and the guys had a poster up of a woman with legs and backside so large I wondered if it were a morphed photo. The big breasts are beautiful in clothing, and often not as pretty outside of clothes, but no matter. (You women should remember) We men all are hard wired to love you no matter what your shape. Just smile and say "hi" and you'll get our interest nearly 99.5% of the time.

SteveN

I'm a 27 yr old, mother of 3 children ages 7, 5 and 1. I have always had large breasts. I actually began getting mine in kintergarden. At the age of 6 I was a small A cup, age 11 34B ,age 17 42C. I became pregnant at 19 and grew to a 42DD by my 6th month. The day of the birth I was in a 40EE, But they quickly dropped to a 42D and have stayed there since then. I never felt normal and didnt feel like I felt in with my smaller friends. I have never been over weight, just been large on top. Your site has helped me see that I am a normal woman with normal breast and I just want to say Thank You for making this site and showing "normal" breast. :)

Summer

Breasts are mainly for feeding babies which is essential. It is the right of the child to get breastfed.

Dr. RCRout

Hello, I am a mother of two sons. Although my sons are now sixteen and twelve they still remember breastfeeding as a positive healthy experience. Neither one of my sons have fetishes or problems with the female breast. I was one of the blessed ones who breast-feed each one of my boys until the age of four and I am proud of it. My boys hardly ever get sick and like I said we have many positive conversations about how it effected them in a positive way. I remember my younger son telling me that my breast milk tasted like a vanilla milkshake.
Truly the bond that was formed by breastfeeding my boys was the highlight of my life and I am so thankful that even though others (especially my mother) frowned upon my decision, I continued to follow my heart and desire and nurse my boys. It paid off and I would recommend it to any mother in doubt.

Raelyn

I do believe that breasts are related to sexual function in that they could possibly serve as an indicator that my offspring will be well nourished. Having worked on a dairy farm, I noticed as a teenager that bigger udders meant more milk, and the cows with the larger udders had the healthiest calves.

Duke

I have been overly obsessed with my breasts since I was probably 10 years old. My mom is 40DDD and I always wanted big breasts like hers, I ended up being a 34D and I'm still not very happy. I'm 19 years old, 56 and 120 pounds... honestly I still pray for my breasts to grow almost every night. I have a man in my life and he's been with me for over 3 years and has never made any rude comments about my breasts... he always grabs them and says how perfect they are and how much he loves them. But, I am always wishing they'd grow... but... after being on this site and seeing pictures and reading comments from men and woman, I think this may be be the beginning to me feeling good about myself and my breasts. I love seeing men comment and say they now understand, it makes me feel good that I'm not just a sex object... I love this website and I'm glad I came accross it =).

A

I breastfeed my son intill he was 2 years 1 month it was the best for him.. My oldest son I didn't breastfeed and he was sick all the time and has many food allergies and other allergies. So I would say to breastfeed for sure. I think it is safer for them anyways.

Colleen

Well, if society calls for women to wear clothes, then that in turn stimulates a male's imagination & of course that leads to sexual fantasies .Ie; "Oh wow! She's got a pretty face, but is she wearing a bra stuffed with chicken fillets or what??" Given this world still has women that walk around naked I can say as a young male (25 yrs old) that honestly, when I see them, I feel like it's less of a sexual thing & can appreciate the beauty of a natural woman.

daniel

This site has helped me so much just in the hour that I have been exploring the pages. I feel so much more confident in my breast size and much more incline to believe my dear one when he tells me they're perfect to him. As a petite 20 yr old with 32Cs (on the smaller side), I've always felt a bit inadequate in breast size. Seeing all the movies, tv shows, and websites that over-exaggerate how important it is to have perfectly round 34DDs and up does not do any good for the average woman. Thank you so much for showing how every size and shape is beautiful.

Monica

I came across your site through a link in a comment to a pro-breastfeeding blog post. I am a mother of 8. I have breastfed 7 of my 8 children. I bottlefed my first because of a lack of support and a lot of misinformation. With a renewed commitment I went on to breastfeed my next 7, 5 of them extended and using child-led weaning including a set of twins. I am still breastfeeding my 2-year old and hope to make it another year. I am very comfortable with breastfeeding and my kids are all close in age so breastfeeding is something they are exposed to very often both at home and elsewhere as a majority of our friends also breastfeed. In spite of my embracing breastfeeding and wanting to normalize it for my own children, I've found that I too am susceptible to Western society's unrealistic perception of breasts. I have even discussed with my husband having breast implants when my nursing days are over or at the least a lift, all based on the media's presentation of what constitutes attractive breasts. It's certainly not based on my husband's desires or even my own feelings about my breasts except to think they should be firmer and perkier like the women on TV. Your site has really impacted me in that regard. Having 8 children in 14 years can really change your body and your perception of your body and it has certainly managed to negatively influence my own body image drastically. I am so outspoken against media influence and social brainwashing and I didn't even realize that I've been falling victim myself. After reading some of the thoughts on this site, I'm vowing to recondition myself and how I think about my breasts and the rest of my body in its natural form. I also plan to pass this on to both my husband and my 14 year old daughter. Thank you for such thought-provoking material.

MJ

As a male, I can tell you that I'm not attracted only to women with large breasts. I even dislike women with very big boobs. And it's not that I dislike breasts, because I'm also attracted to women with normal to big sized breasts, but I can also be attracted to flat-chested women. It all depends on the total image of someone, not just the breasts, not for me at least.

Anonymous

I find this website rather interesting. I wound up here because I was curious as to why men are so obsessed with big boobs. Or should I say breasts. Yes, you are probably correct in assuming that the movie industry, TV, and the photography industry as having created a false image of women's breasts as being sexual objects. Personally, though I do not find breasts sensuous. They are only a small percentage of a woman's body. Remember, if a man does not find all of your physical being attractive, by the way this includes verbal communication and body language... Oh back to the subject of breasts, very small to average is fine by me. I would also say that sexually breasts are definitely not sexually interesting. They are soft and warm and nice to touch. But then there are other parts of a woman's anatomy that are also extremely nice to touch.
Ralph

I'm a 16 year old girl and I was at a loss about all this hype about big boobs, and them as sexual things. I wanted to get with the crowd and at least gain a cup size because my meager A-cup wasn't going to cut it in this sex obsessed world; it seemed necessary. So, I began my search of natural ways for breast enhancement and enlargement-pills, creams, gums, etc. Just trying to find a good product before committing. As I was searching around, I stumbled across your site and immediately was drawn in by all the amazing information and understanding it offered. It answered so many of my questions, qualms, and misguided thoughts. It also reminded me of the beautiful gift our breasts are; not sexually but for our child to nurse. What a touching almost sacred act that seems that they're meant to do. It made me really mull upon it and think about how wonderful an experience it will be when I can supply my baby with food that I create naturally for him/her. It seems like such a wonderful way to bond with your new child. So, all in all I really would like to thank you for reminding me of the amazing things are breasts are meant to do. Also, for answering many of my questions just by reading through your website. Lastly, for making me feel like a normal teen with normal boobs because they are; now that I know what a bunch of breasts can look like. I even found one that looked like mine which made me feel very comforted. I don't need to change them for anyone or anything because they are for my future child. I appreciate all you are doing with this site because it is clearly impacting many people and I wish you the best of luck. Cheers, Taylor.

I am a man and I am crazy about breasts..... particularly my wife's. I was not trained by magazines or the media, I am a man and biology makes me find breasts of all shapes and sizes, to be attractive!
What is the problem with this? Do women not want men to find their breasts attractive? Certainly not. If breasts were not seen as desirable objects by men, part of a women's femininity may be lost, much the same way as many women with small breasts have issues with size and desirability, yet men find their breasts attractive!

Bert

I found this website in my search for a plastic surgeon nearby. After viewing this website, crying my eyes out, and realizing that I'm actually a normal female... I'm not going to get surgery. I'm taking step one to embrace myself for the way that I am! Thank you so much.

Emily

Men should not be obsessed with women's breasts - but neither should they be indifferent. We are not an indifferent species when it comes to procreation. Men are hard wired to like breasts, and hips and buttocks.... But this is a fraction of what a human female has to offer of herself. A woman can be bright, fun, deep, sexy (thank you so much, ladies), nurturing, wise and truly the better half. Being so much of yourself, for yourself first, is the brass ring for us all, and by that I mean the world too. And your breasts, in every shape, size or geometry are a wonderful - part - of you that most men appreciate as such.

RE W

Thank you for setting the record straight about breasts and breast-feeding. My mother never breast fed my sister or me because bottle feeding was fashionable for upper middle class women who had the means to purchase the best infant formula available. Growing up we were taught that breasts were never for public display, but rather some mysterious swellings bound together by fabric and covered with high-necked garment. My mother passed down her poor body image frustrations and was never outwardly comfortable with her own body. As I grew older, my mother began picking at my body, in particular my breasts.

I developed early at age nine and was already wearing a C-cup by 6th grade. Looking back on those years of constant harassment from both boys and girls, I still feel the sting of humiliation. Yet my mother refused to accept this and never bought me a bra. In fact, I remember repeatedly asking her to buy a training bra but she brushed it off, thinking I was acting "grown up" and copying my older sister who was five years older. So I started wearing her bras as well as those of my older sister out of necessity. That's when I learned that breasts came in different sizes and shapes. It was incredible to see how women in the same family had different breasts shapes and bra sizes. At eighteen, I bought my own bras with money from my first job and later learned proper bust size of 34 C, and have felt empowered ever since.

I now deflect all those injurious and angry insults from my mother by telling her my breasts are gifts from God and I appreciate their beauty. When I look at them in the mirror, they are quite lovely.

Nadine

Thank you that it's not just me! I am male, and have been subject to this bull-- Hockey for years. I'm eighteen and I am attracted to women. Not because of their breast size or their body, but because of their intellect. You can have the best-looking body in the universe and lack the brains to use it for better things (that also goes for guys as well, seeing as it can only be man's fault for making the breast into what it is today. Women can't help having breasts, just like men can't help being slapped in the face at least once in their life time... not exactly the same, but I think you can see the point)

I was always one for reading. Reading and a number of other things alienated me from other members of my high school and people in general (so in other words, guys). I'm not homosexual, and I have been accused of on occasion of being so because I do not comment on the way girls talk, walk, how round their butt is and how big their boobs are. I never did that because I have interests in the other pieces. Like, the brain? I could never love (be in a relationship anyway) someone who is shallow, close minded, and lacked common sense; and if they mocked me for reading and studying, I merely closed my eyes and shook my head and told them their intellect was lacking and insignificant; I know what you're thinking: "How can this guy mock others? How can he tell them they need to reevaluate their being?" Because I have rarely come across somebody who does not rank others (women included). I say this because they can't stop watching television. If they but took a step into the reality that is in their conscience, they could achieve great works and more ( I got all A's and was still mocked on my lifestyle, so it seems that you can't win.)

Not only does the media and pornography add to the problem, but the well oiled machine of sexual overdose continues, imbued in the minds of children and adults. It spreads and eventually contaminates another helpless soul. I for one have become withdrawn from the media No TV! No TV! No TV! (shout it loud it's really, really fun) and have taken up jogging/weight lifting. So far I think I'm doing pretty well off.

Now, some advice on the minds of mine:
1. TV has some of the dumbest ideas on planet earth, to spare your sanity, restrict yourself to the English learner channels.
2. Please avoid those magazines with models in bikinis and famous movie stars. These things really bring you down, not only are the prettier and 'cooler' than you, they're making a six figure.
3. If you have a girlfriend, or a boyfriend, use words to express feelings. Usually if your boyfriends want you girls to get implants or enlargements, then he isn't happy with himself and he'll bring you down.
4. Be happy with your looks, because if you aren't, there is not much anyone else can do for you.
5. Try and be open minded, breasts weren't meant to be sex objects, they are meant to nurse children. You may think differently, and that's okay, I'm open minded and subject to change. And this whole breast taboo thing has to change;

Thanks for your website, it teaches women (hopefully more men than women, but I could be optimistic) that breasts aren't just the subject to humiliation if they aren't 'just right'; imperfections are human, and so are you.

--Rubin N.evermind

I love your site, it has helped me get my girls to breast feed their kids. I was lucky as I grew up, my mother and father were never ones to say you must not look at a breast - I watched my mother feed my sisters and knew why women had breasts. My wife was broght up you must not show and don't feed a baby using them - she is my 2nd wife and I made her breast feed our daughter. Of her having 3 kids only one was breast fed and she wished that she had fed the other 2 children - the bond between her and our youngest girl is now very strong - my youngest just had a baby and she breast feeds her son. Watching the kids grow up I found that my wife's 2 kids who were not breastfed got sick alot, while my 2 kids from my first marriage and our last child together is seldom sick, all because they were fed real milk that was made just for humans by humans. My wife's daughter would not feed any of her children anything other than formula and they are all 5 in and out of the hospitals.

My 2 children, my son had his wife breast feed their kids and they're all fine, seldom ever sick - my daughter has breastfed both her sons up to 14 months and they are sick maybe 1 time each year, and I have seen where the 2 different types of feeding {formula is not good} and {breast feeding is the only way} really do make a lot of difference as to the health of the child. I as a 64-year old grandfather of 5 kids say to all of the women out there that TO HAVE HEALTHY AND HAPPY CHILDREN, PLEASE BREAST FEED YOUR BABIES - THANK YOU -DAN

Hi,
My lover only has one breast. She lost her left one to cancer ten years ago.
Our whole family loves her a lot every day and rejoices every day that she is alive and well.
She is still and always will be one sexy lady to me!!

Dan

I breast fed my first child but only for 6 weeks as I was only 19 and half when he was born. I had my second child 5 years later and I breast fed her for five and a half months. When I was trying to wean her from breast to bottle, she had a "hissy" fit everytime I gave her a bottle. She screamed and cried with the bottle in her mouth while the milk ran out and down her cheek and neck. So I gave her the breast and she calmed right down and drank as much as her little stomach would hold. It took me three weeks to fully wean her from breast to put her on the bottle. When I gave her the bottle, she screamed and cried and even at times tried "spit" the "nipple" out and just had a complete fit and she was ONLY 5 and half months old. So I gave her the breast in one feeding and the bottle in following feeding and I allowed her to scream and cry until she realized that this was it and that she wasn't going to get anything else.
Looking back maybe I should have breast fed her til she was a year old or so but I didn't.
My point? Even babies know what breasts are for, my daughter knew the difference between the breast and the bottle and it is about time that society stopped pressuring women to artificially "inflate' their breasts to suit men in what was once only a practice among strippers and porn "stars"

donna

I have 7-year old twins who were breastfed until they weaned themselves at 2 and a quarter. I have a now 2 and a half year old who is still breastfeeding. I refuse to do secret nursing. When my youngest was around a year old, I was concerned that she refused to eat enough solid food and when I complained to the paediatrian she immediately asked me when I was going to wean her; when if it wasn't for breastmilk she would have starved. I thank God that I am an older mother, I'm 42 and am not likely to be intimidated by health professionals because over and over while they dealt with my daughter's eating problems, their main concern was trying to get me to wean her. I've just ignored their attitude although in the case of one doctor, I sent her a printout from the internet about breastfeed toddlers. But I am appalled by the attitude and ignorance of professionals who work with babies and small children. My attitude is in part because my daughter is my last child, and because I know all about the health benefits of breastfeeding. A young mother at my children's school confessed to me that she didn't stop breastfeeding her son until he was four. She said it as though she were confessing something awful picking up on the attitude in this country. She's Russian so her pro-breastfeeding attitude is unusual here in the UK; but my mother breastfed and so did my older sister and I hope that people who see me nursing my toddler are reassured that it's natural and normal. When my oldest daughter was a toddler she 'breastfed' her doll.
Even yesterday, my son said to me 'Mummy will you give some breast to Phillipa because she is angry and needs calming down!".

Claudette, London, England.

As a nursing student, I am ending my class on moter/newborn care. I have a six-year-old that breastfed for 13months. Through reading your website, I find comfort in knowing that I am not a freak for the way I view my breasts, and how I teach my daughter about them. As a toddler she once saw a woman breastfeeding in public and was astonished by how that woman was exposing herself in public (because by then she had seen that mine were never exposed and she had to always wear a shir in public.)Me being the "weirdo" that I am explained to her that we are mammals and mammals feed their baby with their breast, just like cows and pigs or cats and dogs. She also has a child's book about nutrition that explains "when you were a baby, all you needed was your mommy's milk, and now you need fruits and vegies" It is totally natural for breasts to be a source of nutrition and not a sex toy. I encourage women and men alike to view them as that.

Becca

Your site has begun a process of freeing me from years of bad "programming". Wish I'd had this input years ago. I owe an apology to women (owners of breasts) in general.

At the age of 57, you've given me cause to reflect on my own attitude. I clearly recall, at about the age of 12 or 13, I did not consider women's breasts in sexual, arousing terms. But, one of the buddies I played with urged me to pause and hunker down in the aisle of a local drugstore that had a well-known "girlie mag" in the magazine aisle. He showed me the centerfold area and associated other pages of young women in assorted nude pose. A few moments later an employee came by, scolded us, and drove us out of the store. I was ashamed and confused, but left the store with a whole new attitude about mammaries.

So,for about 44 years the ideas launched in the aisle of that drugstore have ramained -- bolstered by media, culture, girlie mags, "R" movies, strip clubs, TV ads, and pretty much the rest of our culture.

No doubt, it will take some time to unlearn the warped ideas I've learned over such a long time. But, thank you so much -- and replies from both men and women -- for helping set an otherwise mature male on a new path of enlightenment toward a healthier non-taboo attitude regarding this topic.

I feel as if years of dirty, worn out baggage have dissolved away!

joel

Thank you so much for this information. I was still on the fence as to whether I would breastfeed when my little one comes in four months time. Now, my decision is made: I WILL BREASTFEED. And I just checked with my hospital, they actually offer free lactation consultants who are on call 24/7 to come to your house if issues should arrive. They also offer a weekly support meeting for breastfeeding mothers that I will also be attending.

Also, as for your point about WIC offering formula: in my state WIC only offers the formula if the woman asks for it, but they are very pro-breastfeeding, and gave me a million bits of information on the benefits of breast milk over formula, just in case that was something unique to my state is all!

Again, thank you so much for this site and the information, now I will hopefully have a happily breastfed baby girl!

jesi

H I I am Rosemarie from Malta Europe. At 24 I had my first baby, who I breastfed for 2 complete years. At 30 years I had my second child Sarah who I breast fed my first child for 3 years and 3 months, just stopped on the 2nd April 2010.
I always wanted to breastfeed my babies. Noemi, my first child, didn't want to get on my breast and the nurses/midwifes at the hospital were putting pressure on me to give her the formula milk. Later during the day I had a midwife with me and she helped Noem I to get started. After 12 hours Noem I was born, she managed to get on and I was relieved. Noem I never needed the bottle, dummy, teddy bears or any other artificial support. Once I tried the formula milk and she hated it. During the first 2 years Noemi, thanks God, was never sick.

Now she is 9, very bright, sensible, a happy girl and also good in sports and dancing, very proud of her. Sarah, my second child was born on the 16th January 2007. She was more eager and immediately after birth she was attached to my breast. After a couple of days I was in so much pain and I asked my husband to help out and get out the first bit of milk. It worked and after Sarah was a happy baby.

After a couple of months I also tried formula milk (just in case something happens) and same as Noem I she hated it. No dummies, bottle, or teddies. When Sarah started to have her first teeth, without knowing, I had holes around my nipples, it was sore and painful. Rested my breast for a day using the compresses and I was ok after a couple of days.

If I had fever, cold, gastric or whatever I kept on giving my babies their feeds, it worked, they were fine. Sarah never got sick neither. She started school at 2yrs 10mths and while the others were getting all sorts of colds, gastric extra. She would to come home with a runny nose and be fine the day after.

In June 2009, my husband travelled to Spain, coming back he had swine flu. We were one of the first families in Malta. Within a couple of days Noem I got Infulenza A, myself got the swine flu and because Sarah was still breast feeding she turned out negative.

This January I taught to stop Sarah from breast feeding but she didn't want to know so I gave up. In April we were on holiday and one morning I had a chat with my little lady, saying that she is now a big girl and should stop taking 'tutta', this is what she calls them. Eventually she agreed, after for a couple of days she missed them and was begging in to give her. It was a very hard for me, I nearly cried, but my husband Pierre was very supportive.

Now it's been nearly 2 weeks and Sarah totally stopped. I am in no pain and all the milk dried out. I am also trying hard not to miss my baby. I am my daughter's best friend and very close. I cannot understand why new mothers listen to all what the media say and not their feelings. Breastfeeding is natural and with a little bit of help we should all manage. It is all in our brain, nature is prefect, and what God's [created] can never be replaced with human creation. If anybody out there needs support, please do not hesitate to ask.

Rosemarie Azzopardi

I currently nurse a 3-year old and I catch so much flack for doing so. Many people are uncomfortable with the fact that I nurse, even when he was younger. Since I am discreet (for my own comfort, and because there are things like camera phones now!) I do not understand why it would bother someone to see my son's little legs jutting out from the bottom of my shirt. You cannot even see breast AT ALL and yet people feel uncomfortable, some even look disgusted and ask when I'm going to wean or why I choose to make others uncomfortable by nursing out in public. Now that he's 3 he rarely needs the comfort nursing provides while we're out and about but having had so much practice in telling people to mind their own business and/or that nursing is completely normal I have no fear when his need arises. He is the happiest, most resilient and confident little boy you could ever hope to meet, and our bond is incredibly strong. I credit extended nursing for that to a great extent. I am also a better mother because I've had the opportunity (through the general public's lack of support) to continually put my son's needs first in the face of adversity. It's made me stronger and more in tune with just how far I'm willing to go to do what's right for my child.

Courtney

My name is Alex, and my girlfriend is flat chested. I don't see why she cares so much that she doesn't, as she puts it, "have big boobs". Personally, I could care less about the size.

In fact, I, a teenage boy, prefer women with flat chests because we can just have fun together without her constantly worrying about 'them' while playing sports.

I'm a 17 year old straight male and I have to say, I find your website to be incredibly realistic and true to its purpose and I just wanted to say congratulations for what you're doing. I support everything that is said on this site and I think you're really making a difference in the lives of a TON of people. I just wish more of the people in my generation would find this site. I think a lot can be learned and that it would solve a lot of problems to teach everyone the truth.

Benedictus

Good site. I did not realize that women were so worried about their breasts. Ladies, no matter what you read or hear, large breasts aren't any better - or worse - than normal sized or small breasts. My personal take on the obsession aspect with men is that culture has promoted large breasts and small waists as being the desired figure. However, I do not think that a man will judge you, or accept you as a mate, due to breast size. Although we're visually stimulated, we do have brains. Plus, there's a lot more to stimulation than vision (imagination, anticipation, etc.)
The older I get, the more I regret (poetic!) worrying about penis size and may own body image. It probably cost me a lot in terms of self-confidence.

So, there you have it. As an aside, I think that breast implants are ridiculous. First of all, they don't feel like a breast. Secondly, women I've known (friends, not lovers) have said that their nipples and breasts are desensitized. Third, it can be dangerous. Fourth, they don't look natural.

I'd take a natural woman over one with implants every time.
So, if you think your AA's or AAA's aren't good enough, think again. If your spouse, lover, boyfriend, etc. is urging you to get implants, find a different partner. There's much more to you than physical appearances.

Thanks for letting me babble.

JLo

This site is refreshing and shocking at the same time. I found it shocking that even the girls with what I would consider near-perfect breasts still claimed to hate their breasts and complain about them extensively!

I'm 30. Never been pregnant, not planning on having children. I LOVE my breasts! I have ALWAYS loved my breasts, even though they are 34FF, and by societies standards disproportionate on my 5'3 frame... They are just right for me, and my opinion is really the only one that counts! I think if you don't love your breasts, you are missing out on a lot of love for your femininity!

Alissa

It's often forgotten how humans are part of nature and not something cast down on earth as some spawn maybe for some bad forgotten alien experiment or outcast that evil incarnate. I praise any female who feeds her baby naturally till it's ready to eat on its own.
However, nature has a force to get life off quickly, to fly free, and yet one of the oldest things God said after He created the human race was --- if He created both male and female and the 1st female was a bit off and left the man, was "IT'S NOT GOOD FOR MAN TO BE ALONE". This must be extra true for a baby, and the natural feeding way may allow a deep invisible bond a bottle lacks, and may be linked to adults and some discontents in the roots of the war of the sexes. OR why adults find it so easy to put each other down.

THEINDWELT

I remain baffled as to why so many WOMEN especially are outraged when women nurse their babies in any context but total privacy. But as a young minister in the 1970's, what baffled me even more was how it was the ELDERLY women -- who were young mothers long before WWI I when bottles and formula became more common -- who complained when some mother would sit in the back pew of the church and nurse her baby, well-covered by a little blanket. Indeed, not once did I ever see one of these young mothers expose herself in any way and most people wouldn't even notice that a baby was nursing, if not for the fact that the crying stopped and the mother would shift her blanket every now and then to change sides. From the pulpit, it certainly didn't matter to me. And it never mattered to any of the men of the church nor any of the little children. Yet, every once in a while some crotchety old lady in her 80's would complain to me or the church elders that we simply MUST stop these wicked women from nursing their babies in church! And the ONLY time I ever encountered a MAN who was objecting to women nursing within the church community was when his wife was the reason for the complaint. (And in most of those cases the man was clearly embarrassed that he had to express his wife's complaint.)

To this day I have never heard a reasonable explanation for why the old ladies who surely grew up in the American Midwest when breastfeeding was the norm were the ones who got the most worked up about it. And the Barbara Walters air travel incident a few years ago reminded me of what seems to be the only excuse given: "It didn't matter to me but I was thinking of the man sitting next to her and how uncomfortable he must have been!" But I've never known of a man who complained on his own accord! Men typically ignore the nursing because they simply don't care -- except for their appreciation for the fact that a nursing baby is a quiet baby! And a well-nursed baby is probably going to sleep calmly once fed!

I appreciate your website. But from my own experience (and that's all I have to go on) I put the blame for anti-breastfeeding sentiment on a vocal minority of women out there. Are they worried that their men are going to be distracted by an exposed breast? I just wish I could put courtesy aside at times and simply respond to them with a "Grow up! It is just a breast! They don't bite and they've never hurt anybody yet. And if you give them a chance, they are invaluable for keeping babies nice and quiet in public places!"

Speaking as a man, in the rare contexts where I notice a mother breastfeeding in public, my first reaction is "Ahhh. How cute. What an adorable and contented baby." So whenever I hear that a nursing mother has to retreat to a restroom to feed her baby, it enrages me -- because on TV's and billboards there are constant scenes of semi-exposed breasts. Why don't they get as many complaints? I just don't get it. Isn't something backwards here?

By the way, I never had the opportunity to be breastfed as a baby because my mother had had a double mastectomy many years before. But I wish I had because it is very possible that my allergy problems are related to my missing out on the immunological advantages of breast milk in those critical early months of growth. So I consider ANYTHING in our society which might discourage some young mother from breastfeeding as long as possible to be a crime against her baby's future health and well-being. Yet, even in states where gender-equal "exposure laws" are on the books, some police continue to harass women who breastfeed while giving the lame excuse that "Someone complained." Sometimes I just wonder what happened to BRAINS.

Yes, I guess I'm getting to be one crotchety old guy.
( I find it so hard to believe that the undergraduate female in your story could have been unaware that her breasts were another reason why both cows and humans are mammals. She truly didn't associate them with milk production? As a former university professor, I should not be surprised at any story of ignorance. Yet, I am. And could there be other young people like her? I shudder to think so. So keep up the good work.)

Paul

Love what I'm seeing so far, glad I found you.
The only thing I would do different is not compare breasts to bottles when explaining the functions of breasts to tots. They know anyway as they were both breastfed full term until they decided to stop. (LO is still nursing)
I have told my children that bottles are replicas of breasts and that some moms don't offer breasts and use those instead. They both looked horrified! :)

Renee

My mother's breasts were small, but once she said, "These are the breasts that nursed you when you were a baby." That was helpful. The same woman, the same breasts, nothing to it.

I shun media based on an extension of the all-news is bad-news idea. I love music and film and watch DVDs, listen to my collection of MP3s, and listen to PBS avidly. I was taken from my mother at an early age but my new parents were body positive in an unusually Catholic way. Age-appropriate materials, books and art appeared in the family collection at appropriate times and I was OK with asking questions. Looking back, I had a good upbringing with careful guidance, but I think I developed my aversion to media the way I chose not to eat candy; I just chose it.

When you take away a crack addict's crack, and tease them with raising the price to get it back, they'll go out and kill or rob someone, or prostitute themselves to get that high. Are breasts like this? No! I'm making the point that Skinnerian (behaviorist) psychologist make: "Intermittent reinforcement is the strongest."

When you take away Mommy's boobs, Baby wants them back. When you label Mommy's lovely milk-makers as Verboten, of course, Baby will want them more, and stare at every pair walking by because maybe, just maybe, they'll substitue (that's the intermittent part).

Puritanism does not have its intended effect; it does not make us pure--rather, by over-restricting us, it warps us. Coerced behavior develops deep resentment; in the extreme, psychosis is the result.

Social nudism, a tantric practice of nude gazing, and any art practice of sculpting or doing the fine arts with the nude as subject demystifies this warping. One can only look at so many breasts, so many women, so many vulva before the scales fall from the eyes, even if only for a moment. This takes discipline! Frequently it costs money.

Real people; real bodies; real breasts; real bellies; real butts. That's what I say.

There's a salute I do, palm level, facing down, under the nose, to shield my eyes from the breasts of a woman I may be speaking with. I only do it when I am saying at the same time "You'll notice I'm talking to *you*, not your breasts, and what I have to say is..." or something else like that.

Cheers,
Douglas (Dana)

I am 17 years old, and I have small breasts-- I wear a bra size I never knew even existed: Nearly A. Finding this site has been so amazing for me that I can't even express the amount of gratitude I have. Within minutes of viewing your site, I was grinning. I'm very slim and petite (only 95 pounds and 5'1'' tall), so I've always felt self-conscious about my breasts. However, I run and swim, and while all my female teammates have rather large busts, they complain about back ache a lot, and I've never had that problem! I'd be proud to have a picture of my breasts on your page under the "Small Breasts" section. Thank you for your site, and to all the ladies that have posted their pictures, I thank you as well!

Joy

I've been doing some heavy thinking lately. I am 18 years old and have found that everything 'considered' sexual, even organs and genetalia that ARE sexual didn't particularly arouse me in the least.

I started thinking about body image, breast, nipple, aerola, belly buttons, weight concerns, penis size--the whole works, both male and female. I have never been particularly happy with my body (broad shoulders, thin hips, what I thought to be abnormally shaped breasts, average-but-flat bum,) and began to wonder whether or not this contributed to 'sexual' things being not-so-sexual to me. I wasn't and will not go through cosmetic surgery for the pleasure of others when it meant my pain, so I learned to accept it and move on. That's when I found that it isn't necessarily the body itself you should find arousing, but the person underneath the skin. Desire starts at the heart, not between your legs, you have a mind of your own--so use it.

I realized after some time that most of the women in my family are extremely ashamed of their brests, and even some men! At one point, we had 6 people to one bathroom, and when I really had to go and my mother was in the bath, she'd make me wait because she was scared I would look at her breasts. I also wasn't breast fed due to that fact that she was on drugs and literally could not breast feed me. She also thought that it was indecent and immoral for having your children do the same acts as a lover would, incestrious even. The honest truth of it all is that it's completely disorienting to perform sexual acts that were originally since the dawn of human existance, meant to feed your children. While I do not in anyway have anything against sexual triggers involving breasts, I think people are very narrow minded about this issue. (Especially my mother.)

This gave me a grotesque feeling of my own breasts. Like most girls, I hadn't seen a NATURAL naked breast besides my own, and the first that I had seen had indeed been in a dirty magazine. While I do not appreciate the bias nature of most men toward the female body, I cannot slander nor ridicule them because of it when the reality is that girls can be just--if not more--curious than men. The difference is, most (and I do not mean to offend) are not attracted to the anatomy of a female, just openly curious as to determine normal developement and completely ashamed to be so due to the media and the projections of breasts being sexual and not a natural bottle. I think sometimes we forgot why it's called a nipple on a breast as well as a bottle.

Either way, it was no coindence nor accident that I stumbled across this website. Like I said, I've never particularly liked my breasts, but it wasn't an issue for me because my opinion is that you either are attracted to me or you're not, and that's enough for me. It still didn't squelch my curiousity. I thought would simply inform me, but I was wrong. I'd never been one to harp on what I was given, what I was made and born with, but I must say I do have a better outlook and feel much more optimistic-- I am not alone, and neither are you! (Total cliche, anyone?)

After reading and taking all of this in, I was completely and wonderfully satisfied. Then my heart plummeted once I realized that the bare statistics are that more women are going to read this than men, which was a victory and a defeat. While this site touches body issues for females, teaches breast feeding and normal developement rates, it also hits a very real issue--one that men NEED to be aware of. I kept reading even though I was basically finished with what was being offered and I stumbled across the comments of guys.

Without ever even reading them, my heart had been restored. The fact that there were male vistors was enough, but then to realize they were reading and taking all of this in was something completely different--and that they were commenting! I'd like to whole heartedly thank them for their input, it made me smile as well as changed my opinion on the whole topic. Thank you!

-CB

Well I'm 19 and I only weigh 100 pounds and my breast size is 34B. And you know I love them because why should I need a man to make myself feel better about my body? I am very proud for what the lord gave me and when I came to except that I am now married and have 2 babies and I couldn't ask for a better life, and believe it or not I'm making my way up to modeling and my breast are beautiful. So ladies, look in the mirrow and look at your breast and know they are beautiful. Remember who you are and don't let anybody let you know otherwise be true to yourself,

Amber

It is interesting that we obsess about so many things that are not important. Really if the media would change the focus from perfection and riches, we might not be so self-loathing in western society. Just when we feel like we have it together, some commercial comes on with the next great thing we got to buy. Then we are hit with commercials with men and women that are so beautiful that we end measuring our selfsame against that standard instead of a normal standard. It is sad and I am a victim of it. Even though I know the wealthy are a small % of the population, the media makes me feel I should be wealthy. Even though supermodels are rare, society makes me feel hideous if I am not one of them. I am in my 30's and women my age are very self-conscious. We need to fight hard to educate our friends to not be so judgemental of looks and status. This is a difficult century to live in.

Angela

I am 29 and have two children (ages 7 and 9) who I breastfed until about the age of one year. I would say they weaned themselves at that time, even though I stopped nursing them, they didn't seem to mind. My breasts were a 38 D at sixteen, and since I've had children they've gone up to a 40 DD. I am "overweight" and always have been. (There's another idea for a site, BM I calculators are a joke, as everyone is not built the same.)

I have been somewhat self conscious of my large breasts, feeling that they would be more attractive if they were smaller, and perky.... but after looking at this site, I realize that no one has "perfect" breasts, and that their functionality and health is more important than what they look like.

I found it refreshing that the site mentions the taboo of not allowing your older children to see your breasts..... mine still see me naked on occasion.

I have personally felt that allowing people to go nude if they so choose, would be a great benefit to society. Sex is not about being turned on by someone's looks, but is about enjoying their body because you love who they are.

Thank you for putting words to my thoughts, and making a difference for women everywhere.

Nancy

This is a wonderful article. I don't see why men always think that breasts are a pair of sex toys or a replacement for vaginas or something, because they're not. I mean, my boyfriend has asked me about my cup size and everything, and I asked him "Why does it matter?" I think that maybe the original idea that breasts were for sex might have come from the simple fact that men are lacking them.
I was actually shocked at the paragraph about the college student. It's terrible that they didn't know. How could we let this happen? Imagine some of the students that haden't taken that course! They probably still don't know! It's terrible how society is run.

Cristina

Your site is phenomenal! After stumbling on your wonderful information, I have been both saddened and uplifted. I am sure that most women will benefit enormously. I thank you.

Joe

I am a pleasant 38 DD. For years I have had to put up with lewd comments, yet I like my breasts. When I gave birth to my son 15 years ago I let the staff know I wanted to breastfeed. I was in the ward a couple of days. Because the maternity ward had a separate room for the babies this was considered a hassle, and the nurses, rather then bring me the baby would bottle feed him behind my back, so whenever I tried to feed him he would not latch on. I figured it out when I held a bottle under his nose; he opened his mouth wide to receive it. He never latched on.

Staff in this hospital took away this privilege out of ignorance and laziness and lack of caring. I understand this still goes on and I, 15 years later, still think that an injustice was done to my child. He was a sickly baby and I believe that he would have been healthier if he would have nursed.

A good book to read is "Breasts" by Daphna Ayalah and Isaac J. Weinstock. This was given to me by a friend when I was slouching to hide my breasts. Ever since, I have carried them around like a badge of honour.

You only live once. Enjoy your body.
Maartje

Ok, where to start? I fully agree with what you're saying here, but realistically you can't change the world. For centuries breasts have been looked at as sexual things, no matter what there's always gonna be somebody who drools over breasts like a juicy T-bone steak. And the media? Don't get me started on that, everything that's filmed goes through multiple people who correct things such as lighting, contouring, ect. Which is a huge frustration for us REAL women. I've been noticing more and more how hard it is to sit down and watch something on TV without a beautiful, half naked female popping up on some commercial. What's even more frustrating than wishing I could look like one of those girls, with the perfect weight, and the perfect breasts, and the perfect hair, is having to listen to all the guys around me making their disrespectful, innappropriate remarks, my guy included. He always tells me that size doesn't matter, but than when a female pops up on TV he's all "Look at those titties!" Makes me unsatisfied with my small breasts and makes me feel insecure. I've always been kind of obsessed with my breasts. Not that I like their apperance, but obsessed on how to make them bigger. I've been a small A cup since the 6th grade and I'm now 21! I've been teased about my small breasts since I was 12 years old. Which has definitely affected my self image and made me extremely self-conscious about my breasts. I was actually surfing the web for breast enlargement pills when I came across this site here and I gotta say I do like this website as it makes me feel a little bit better. What comforted me the most was reading the comments from the men. I never realized that all the while I've been stressing over MY appearance, that men were stressing over theirs. Though I'm still on the search for some magical barbie pill, I admire and respect the women who are comfortable and content with their breasts cuz that's a huge goal for me to reach. Well thank you for your website and thank you to everyone who posted something to this site. Because ALL women have beauty in them.

rebecca

I think this site was amazing! I am planning on breast feeding my next child! I took the easy way out and formula fed my first! I'm going to make my fiance read this because he is against extended breastfeeding! I'm hoping by having him read this site it will make him change his mind on what breasts really are! I feel so much more comfortable with myself now! More than I ever have!

Dani

First off I'd love to commend this website and all who have posted their stories, fears, and triumphs. I'm 21 years old and my son just turned 2. I've struggled with my body image since elementary school. I've never been gifted with large breasts. The only time they were large (about a D cup) was during my pregnancy. Now, 2 years later my breasts have returned to a smaller cup, about a B cup. I'm pretty much happy with my body now but do struggle with the fact of having stretch marks on my breasts, hips, thighs, and butt. I'm of German and Irish descent so I'm naturally pale which makes my stretch marks more noticeable. I try to view them as marks of love, in that I'd NEVER trade them because they are a result of having my beautiful son. My fiance says he loves my body and I find comfort in that. But he is a man nonetheless and prefers women with large breasts and butts. I'm 5'3 and about 110 lbs. I am curvier now and like having curves but when he watches porn and I see his arousal from it, it does affect me. He's even suggested now that I work out some to "tone" up my body, that a more toned body is more appealing. I've never been heavy. The most I ever weighed was 151 lbs, which was at the end of my pregnancy. After having my son I developed gallbladder problems and lost a lot of weight. At one point I was only 95 lbs. Now I've had my gallbladder removed and am finally slowly gaining weight back. I like having a lil more weight on me and at first so did my fiance, since he likes thicker, curvier, bustier women when he watches porn. Now that he's suggesting I work out to make my body more attractive hurts a lot. It makes me wonder if he's losing interest in me and by suggesting I work out, it's to keep him interested. Yes, I would like somewhat bigger boobs, but I've tried working my pectorals hoping that the muscle stimulation would push my breasts out just a lil, but it is painful and makes me very sore. I wish men and society could accept people, not just women, for who they are. Life would be less stressful and people would appreciate the small things in life more if our minds weren't always focused on outer perfection.

Kaden's Mommy

Thank you for enlighting us about the Western brainwash. I would invite all my friends to this wonderful and helpful website

Hassan

I really feel that the problem with western society is that parents don't talk to their children about sex. I think breasts are very sexual. That is, if we were having sex (other body parts such as feet can be sexual too depending on context right?). Children and adolescents need to be educated about sex rather than kept in the dark about it. With ignorance, comes discomfort; with education, comes open-mindedness. In the example where a father asked the nursing mother to leave because his son was exposed to an indecent act clearly shows the lack of education here (and probably a lack of father-son talks).

I don't feel that the media is solely responsible for making men obsessed with breasts. It bores down to the poor education children and adolescents receive on sex. Afterall, I was exposed to the same media messaging. From where do I summon this respect for women and their bodies? Education and good communication between parents, friends, mentors and a whole lot of other people is a good start.

I recall the stories my mother told me as I was growing up. Some of them of how she breast-fed me. I'm not sure if she ever nursed me in public, but knowing I wasn't always fed from a bottle really makes me glad.

nate

First and foremost I must say that this is a wonderful and educational site.

It's shocking how breastfeeding is looked upon in the U.S.A. (people getting arrested is just sad). I'm from Norway, where things are a bit different (obviously). Unlike in the U.S.A., new mothers in Norway are actively being encouraged to breastfeed. I looked up some numbers about it too: 80% are breastfeeding after 6 months. One third is doing it after 1 year. Public breastfeeding is of course legal, and is more or less socially accepted, even though most women feel uncomfortable doing it in public.

The sexualization of the breasts here in Norway isn't as bad as in the U.S.A, but still they are a bit "no-no" and should be covered up. But there is an exception: topless sunbathing on public beaches is very common here. In recent years, girls have become more self-conscious about their breasts: size, shape, etc (based my observations). Must be because of the increasing pressure to have the perfect body and all that. According to Dagbladet (Norwegian newspaper) 70,000 women have opted for breast implants during the last 20 years (Norway's population is under 5 million people).

Personally I don't find breasts all that exciting, except for a period in my teens, but they do represent something feminine. Always known that breasts are for feeding babies so I wouldn't be disturbed if a woman suddenly started breastfeeding in my vicinity. Since I'm a guy, I can only say that I would expect a woman to breastfeed her infant. After all, that's the most natural thing to do. I guess I could also say that me and my big brother were breastfed by our mother when we were babies. Around 6-7 months each I think it was.

Oh, maybe I should mention something about this movement (if one could call it that) in our neigbouring country, Sweden. It's called "Bara brst" ("Bare breasts"). This is a group of women in the city of Malm who have a goal to "create debate around the unwritten social and culture rules that sexualize and discriminate the female body".

Arne

As a male with large breasts (due to hormones) for many years I have experienced first hand this taboo. I enjoy swimming, but have been told numerous times that I must put on a top. When a shirt becomes wet it is very uncomfortable and just as revealing as going topless. So I now no longer go swimming. This results in people who don't know insisting that I get in the water. In fact I just avoid going near the water altogether.

Frank Poynter

This website is wonderful! I am a proud, breastfeeding mommy of an 11 month old boy. For the first several months, I never nursed in front of people (except family members & close friends). I found myself staying home more than normal and would arrange my entire schedule on my son's nursing schedule (ie "he just ate--quick lets go out to dinner before he needs to eat again). What a tiresome way to live! Through sites such as yours and talking with other nursing moms, I have become liberated and empowered. I am no longer afraid to nurse in public and I no longer need to contort my schedule and be a homebody just so I can feed my son in privacy! Why America considers formula "normal" and breastfeeding socially unacceptable angers & confuses me. There is nothing natural or normal about a foul smelling can of formula. I'm not sure how something so proven to be inferior through extensive research can still be triumphant in our culture. Maybe one day we will live in an America where the bottle feeders will get the dirty looks. This is my prayer for my future grandchildren!

Thanks 007b!!!!!

Tara

In response to the gentleman above who turns away when he catches himself looking at a women - Instead of turning away, look up at her face and smile! Women love to be appreciated, just not ogled for their 'tits and ass' (Can I say that here?) I even subtly point out good looking women to my husband, as we both appreciate well taken care of human bodies. Ones does not have to go as far as the Caribbean to get naked. Visit the American Association for Nude Recreation (www.aanr.com) to find a place in your own state. Thank you for your sane approach to this subject. I will be sharing this site to many, many young people. Jeanette

This website is amazing. I feel completely comfortable with my breasts now. And I feel more at peace walking around my house with a t shirt and no bra, knowing that bras dont prevent sagging. Everything in this website has helped me appreciate my breasts more and love what I have. And when I have children I will breastfeed them and they will grow up knowing that breasts arnt for sexual perposes they are "milk bottles" for babys. And if I have daughters I will educate them so they wont have to suffer like I did, and grow up believing that they need "perky breasts" to feel and be sexy.

Noem I

I had a discussion with my wife tonight about breasts, hers, specifically. It seems that she was and is uncomfortable with my natural interest in them, not sexual per se, but natural.

I felt I was ignorant of what her insecurities are in this regard. While there were many objectionable websites that I checked and then avoided, I found this one helpful. I could read what torments the minds of, frankly, very beautiful women of all ages, in regard to their breasts.

That American men are hooked on a fictional, airbrushed breast is not surprising, given the Hollywood tripe about sex and breasts.

But what I found interesting is that women are sooooo fixated on their breast size, shape, conformity, stretch marks, whatever. I looked at all the pictures, and granted, there were some breasts that were less appealing to me. Life has some deformations, and it causes some too. But, really, truly, I found that many of these wonderful and brave women have lovely, pleasantly shaped, and marvelously unique breasts. The variety, the shapes, the contours, the sizes, areolas... are simply breath taking. To men, universally, a woman's breasts will ALWAYS be a wonderous and wonderful sight. (How men respond to that wonderous sight demonstrates the character of the man.)

Over all, I can say as a man past forty, that you women, all of you, have diverse, beautiful breasts, gifts from a loving God, for YOU to enjoy, and feel good beautiful about. You husband (not a no-commitment 'boyfriend' who will just use you and get bored with you later and dump you) wants to see you, to see your breasts in the LIGHT, and to enjoy giving you pleasure, while experiencing that as well.

My point is, if you will not accept your breasts for your OWN unique shape, like you accept your eye color, your natural inclinations, your personality, then you will struggle to enjoy true intimacy with your husband. He will miss out, too.

Men's deepest desires include first of all, sex; this will never change. Followed by that is a desire for intimacy. Your husband will be interested in YOU! Yes, he wants YOUR breasts, not some other woman's. But if you are so self-focused that you cannot let him love you for you physically too, then you run the real risk (in this sex saturated society Hollywood has created) that he will pursue pornography, and fantasies of the mind, that may ultimately lead to adultery, deviancy, and all manner of pervese actions.

I think what I'd like to say is, thank you brave women for posting your photos, and more importantly for sharing your heart. I now know that as a husband and a father, I can and should encourage the woman and the little girl who will soon enter this phase of life, that I accept them and that God made them beautiful just as they are. Everyone is different!

Ladies, I have seen you, and you are beautiful, different, unique, and appealing. Embrace your uniqueness and turn off the lie of the media! Thanks for this wonderful site!

Scott

Hi, I'm about to go on an excersize and weightloss plan and I know my breats will shrink, so I did a search for "is it okay to have small breasts if your skinny" because I to have been brainwashed into thinking that I will be unattractive if my breats shrink and sag! It makes me so sad to KNOW that's how I will be perceived by men and women.

This society is out of control!

guest

I appreciate the contents of this site. Media, Grown-up folks, to an extent the doctors and intellectuals too should be blamed for the perversion they create in the young minds on breasts. The only job of this female organ is to provide nutritious milk to the offspring - Period. Nothing more. The current generation should be educated on this in a better manner. Congratulations, you have taken the right step.

Manjunath

See more visitor letters about breast obession.

Female breast as a taboo

Breast health

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Breastfeeding

Baring breasts in public

Where does the breastobsession stem from?