I think this is a great article. There are a lot of people around me in my life that think it is disquisting that I nursed my first son to his first birthday, and am now breastfeeding my second son and I plan to nurse him longer!!! My mother in law always pulls my nieces and nephews away from me when they stare curiously at me while I nurse. They ask questions like "what are you doing?" and why? and how does he get the milk? and I just answer them all honestly, and I dont make a big deal about anything. well, my mother in law really flipped out when my niece comes out of her bedroom with her dolly drinking her "special" milk....I thought it was the sweetest thing! I wish you would see more play like this, it would mean that children are understanding what its all about, but, they dont. Thanks for the article!

I have breastfed all three of my children, infact my 13 month old is still nursing. My daughter weaned when she was 2 1/2, after I was pregnant with my second. I would have let her continue nursing, but my breasts became so tender I just couldn't take it. I still cuddled her and let her cuddle my breasts for comfort. I nursed my second child until he was about 1 1/2, he started to bite down, and just wouldn't give it up. He was also still allowed to cuddle when needed. Mostly he was so busy being a rowdy little boy, he really didn't have as much need as my daughter did. As I said, I am still nursing my 13 month old, I will nurse him as long as he likes.
I have never had a problem nursing in public. It took a little practice, but as this point I'm an "old hand" at it. Luckily I have never had anything more than a couple of dirty looks, which I returned without comment. I have made a couple of entries about breastfeeding on my blog.
There are still women that get ticketed for indecent exposure while breastfeeding, even though there are law protecting the right of women to nurse anyplace they are allowed to be. Great site and good info. Thanks
By the way, I love my breasts, and usually go without a bra, and my milk production has always been more than enough. I've always felt that strapping them into a contraption of elastic and cotton was un-natural. I'm a D cup. And I'm very happy with my big, floppy baby feeders.
Wendy

Great site. I think people are too wound up in appearances and wanting to be perfect in the eyes of others. I happen to be a man who really loves breasts and when I date, more often than not, I end up in a conversation with women who don't like their breasts for one reason or another (too small, too saggy, nipples shaped funny, etc.). Not surprisingly, women with smaller breasts seem to be more self-conscious than those with larger breasts and I think it's all because of the way our modern society views breasts. Anyway, great site. It's good to see someone giving good advice in an open forum where people can ask the tough questions. Keep up the good work!
Karl

I am so happy to have finally found a website that not only supports breastfeeding, but clearly explains why I feel so alone nursing my 2 1/2 year old daughter in this society. I nursed my son until he was 19 months, and worked in a hospital at the time. Would you believe the hospital couldn't provide me with a quiet/private place to pump when I returned to work? By the way, they did have a maternity ward. They told me to use the bathroom or nurse's lounge. I said sure, why don't you bring your lunch into the bathroom and join me while I prepare my son's? Who would eat their lunch in the bathroom? It's disgusting!!! I fought with the personnel department, but they just kept saying space was an issue! My supervisor allowed me the use of her office, but it was difficult as my son got older to keep defending to other people ie., medical personnel, why I was still nursing. Now with my 2 1/2 year old I feel I would like her to stop, but I will be there as long as she needs my breasts for her use. That is what they are there for! Besides, she's a wonderful child because of our nursing relationship. I wish with my son I had been stronger and not felt pressured to stop, due all of the comments from people. Our society is so backwards. Oh, and by the way, my husband is from Britain, and his sister was certain to point out how "people don't really nurse that long here" as if there was something psychologically wrong with me for continuing to breastfeed. She's a nurse, by the way. So many of our medical personnel are not trained to support breastfeeding, here or there. It is very sad.

Kris

You know, I have two awesome sons. Both nursed till just about a year. I am divorced now but even before that we all slept in the same bed and are very open with nudity. My oldest son is 9 and my youngest is 4.5. They love my breasts. There is quite an admiration for me naked. You know it is okay. It is natural. They like their own bodies. They like my body. They are also somehow still really private. The boundaries are there. Life is really simple and open. I think, natural is natural. Being comfortable is being comfortable. I think the love of breasts is just a feeling that they mean nourishment and FEMININITY. Beyond sexuality, I think they are soft and they symbolize mother and just the female energy.

On the sexual note, I know from my meridian theory studies, the chinese feel the chi flows right out the nipples and so I do think when one is making love touching the nipples helps energy flow and feelings of happiness expand. But this is the case for males as well as females.

To me, I think a man's chest and nipples can be just as erotic as a woman's. So you know, I think it is that all things are true. Breasts and nipples, male and female, mean many things. ALL ARE GOOD if one is kind of relaxed and natural and balanced.

Cool site. Thanks
bess

unless we have a MAJOR CHANGE in the usa breastfeeding will always be seen as nothing but pornorgraphic (but I know otherwise) because of those old ultra conservitave farts in congress and if you dont believe me should I remind you of what happined when janet jackson bared her breast. as long as we are teaching our children that breasts are a sexual organ things will NEVER EVER change

mike

Hello,
I'm a 54 year old male who has recently lost his fascination with breasts. Some might say it's my advancing years. I say, "no way", It was my recent trip to the Dominican Republic.

The beaches there are clothing optional and many women chose to go topless. It was a wonderful opportunity to observe and compare breasts. What I discovered was that there are no 2 alike, even on the same woman. Also very few fit the so-called ideal of perky with front-facing nipples the size of silver dollars.

I concluded that the North American view of female breasts is way off the mark and is to be blamed on women themselves for creating the stigma. In Ontario Canada it is perfectly legal for women to appear in public topless. How many women exercise this right. The answer is, none.

Why do no women go topless when they can? I'm presuming they're embarassed to show their breasts because they believe they don't measure up. Why don't they measure up? It's because they perpetuate it by not going topless.

My suggestion is for women to universally remove their tops and let it all hang out. Within weeks breast augmentation surgeons will be out of business and young girls will lose their suicidal tenedencies. Aything else and very little will change.

Ron

I agree totally with what you have to say. I really believe that human breasts are there to provide for the nutrition of our children. I breastfeed my twins until they were 15 months old. I would have kept going but they simply became uninterested. Right now I am nursing their 9 month old brother and I make sure they know that "mama's breasts are so I can feed Christopher." It is no big deal to feed in front of them. In fact, like you, I believe it is healthy. I don't know how much they will remember of this time as they grow older, but the attitude is what I really hope will stick with them.

Belinda

Showing breasts is shamefull and showing violence to children is normal? Children plays games with main idea of killing other people. I dont uderstand amerikans. Love and sexual act is normal human activity. Violence is not.

richard

I visit your website to look for information that could reasure my wife on the issues of breast feeding and its effect on the breast. Thanks I found a lot even thouth its mostly on western cultural believe I think it will be useful here in Nigeria.

Mohammed Alimu

I think breastfeeding is a natural and healthy way to feed my baby. Since a woman ususally doesn't produce milk until she has a baby, then what other way is there to feed your baby. I breast fed by daughter for the first 9.5 months of her life. I even pumped my milk when she started eating cereal. I would not mix he food with nothing other then my milk. I agree that western society is very sickening with their closed minds about breast feeding in public. It's probably because western society associate a woman's breast with sex and pornography. I am a breastfeeding advocate and I would recommend it to anyone. And yes, if you baby is hungry go ahead and nurse him/her in public. If someone is looking or staring that means there "IN YOU AND YOUR BABY'S BUSINESS".

adeva

Finally! Someone has explained my fanatic curiousity about breasts, and why they turned into sexual objects! But I still don't understand why americans think that "bigger is better?" As an adolescent I heard "Any more than a handful is a waste!" then I heard "mouthful". I agree (personally) but what a warped society to have such shallow definitions of worth and beauty.

Madeira

education and awareness is what those people need to understand but I guess it would take them a lifetime to understand such basic and very elementary issue. I suggest these people be brought to a zoo and have a guided tour on different kinds of animals that feeds their youngs with the use of their mammary organ....eg. pigs, cows, carabaos, monkeys and many many other more after all we all belong to the same category... the mammals. am sure they will enjoy it and would know that these animal mothers dont see their mammary organs a sexual object.......

rica dasal

Thank you for this website. I'm thirty, and I have nursed two children. I was convinced that there was something terribly wrong with my breasts, but after reading your information and seeing pictures, I realize I am pretty normal. My husband loves me just as I am, I was the one with the hang-up. Thank you for helping me see the light! Hopefully more women will visit and get it.

allie

Hey people out there!

I am a 15 year old nudist, and a bloke, and I have a few comments to make about breasts and whathaveyou from a textile (non nudist) male person.

Right, as it clearly states on the site and throughtout it regualy, many men are obsessed with breasts because they very rarely see them, and as correctly started if women had to cover up their ankles or whatever men would be obsessed with them. Ok this is where it comes to, porn is easy to get hold of, very easy to get hold of and the reason a lot of men want to see it is NOT because they want to feed their sexual desires it is to actualy see what breasts look like, as a nudist myself, I don't really have any worries with that. Obviosly some men to go on porn for sexual reasons.

Child pornography, most of it is girls, and a lot of it is teenage girls who are underage. Why? Because a lot of men and boys have never seen a girls breasts during puberty, sure adult breasts again everyone has seen. But developing breasts not many people have seen, and therefore want to know what they look like, so they start searching for child porn. Again, as a nudist I have lots of friends who are girls with developing breasts.

The guys who look down girls tops and stuff are one of 2 things: simply wrong perverts with nothing better to do. Or guys who have this desire to see what adolesant breasts look like.

Any girls who want to "let everything out" and don't want to be stuck in a bikini or bra or whatever should visit a nudist beach, you don't have to go nude at all, but you can go topless without the worry of perverts and leerers. Very very few men and boys there are there to stare at other people in the nude, they are there because they enjoy been free, and as a result there are virtualy no erections or sexual feelings at all. For this reason there are no worrys about it and you can just enjoy yourself been free! Nudist clubs and beaches are great place for making friends of both sexes!

Thanks guys for the amazing site. (BTW I got to it via a nudist website).

Sam.

P.S - Remember a lot of guys have never seen a pair of adolesent breasts, which is why they are desperate to see them.

What a great web page, bless you all. I will first admit that I have always been fasinated with womens breasts, small, large, soft, firm. And tho this will be difficult for most women to believe, when I have seen women breast feeding in public ( and I have freinds and family who have ) even someone like myself will see that as totally natural and acceptable, not dirty or sexual or unappropriate. I'm very well aware of the purpose of breasts, but in our society, I have long ago fallin into the "arousual" aspect of breasts, and I fear that will never change. But I can divide to two effects they have. Just a straight foward response from a man who adores breasts.

Mike T

I think this web page is wonderful. I was breastfed for the first two years of my life. I have one older brother and one younger brother who were both weaned from before they were one year. I know that I was breastfed until I was two because as a child, I remember my mother sitting around with other mothers discussing how 'abnormally' long I clung to her breast and refused to consume anything else. I always felt very strange, like there was something wrong with me for nursing for two years when everyone else seemed to stop before their first year, and because my mother told it in a whisper while the other mothers eyebrows perked and jaws dropped. It wasn't until an Anthropology class I took that I learned that the average age, worldwide, children stop is four years old. I fully intend on breast feeding for over two years when I procreate, and I fully intend on doing this in public and at my future profession, wherever my offspring so desires to be fed.

Brandi

American men have an obsession with breats. You may ask why - the reason is simple - violence is allowed on TV - nudity is not - the human form is more natural unclothed than than in unrealistic and animated violence

Wyn

I'm 16 and used to be very self-concious about my breats as they're very small. However after reading your site I've realised that they arn't there for men to gawp at or use as objects! Women object to sexism but I've realised that the Breast Obesession is most sexist- and its made worse by the fact that women are taking in and beleiving all the bullsh*t about boobs the media lets out.

Katy

I'm a 28-year old afroamerican from the US. I work for a major american publishing company. I meet and see literaly "thousands" of women a year. About 80% I find attractive. They have small breasts, large breasts, some have enormous breasts, some saggy. Some have fake ones(beleive me men can tell)But I personaly find natural breasts very attractive, even if they sag a little. A lot of women that are comfortable talking to me about there breasts tell how much they don't like them, And I never could understand why. But I figured because of the unrealistic constant images shown on tv and in magazines, brain wash many women into thinking that silicone is what men want? I'm man in every sense of the word and I'll tell you natural woman out there that I love "natural sagging breasts". I really do. I love the european mentality of bigger natural busts. In America they promote big breasts but there filled with plastic. Breast feeding in public should not be frowned upon either, if the babys' hungry? Feed em on the spot.

I think that natural breasts are very fem. Women, Ladies, Girls, be proud of what you have. Your breasts don't make YOU. They are only a part of what makes you, YOU. If they sag a little, and your husband or boyfriend doesn't like your breasts, he doesn't truely love you. He shallow like a puddle on the side walk. He's no good if you've had 3 of his children and tells you to get a boob job he's lost his marbles. He's supposed to make you feel good about being a woman, let alone being a mother. If it gets to that point, ladies no matter how much you love him it might be time to take a seprate vacation...

I think all women black, aisan, indian, hispanic, white, irish, scotish, portugese, islandic, french, canadian, caribean, simoen, spanish are all natural and sexy.

Ron E Keyz

I m 29 and from India. I m going to bcom a father next month, and the information provided here can be very helpful for me and my wife I guess, but anywhere there is no mention of places like India and its neighbouring countries (except for comments from Zarena) where breastfeeding is a normal practice never a case like "women and culture" course cud happen here, and even it is done in public. so I guess mentioning indian culture and practices might be more helpful for future readers. But the sad part is, here too people are catchig up with the fast life and in the cities the bottle culture is catching up. Hope by reading articles like these they understand the consequences and start using the breasts for the purpose they are meant for. Keep up the good work.

junaid

I wish to become pregnant soon and I considered breastfeeding but my boyfriend (soon to be hubby) doesn't like the idea. He believes that I could possibly become sore and that he will not have any chance with my breasts because, as he puts it, "the baby will hog them." Why do men get so jealous of a baby getting attention from mommy and the breasts?

Cassie S.

You're not the only one with this problem. I guess he might change his mind if he got more educated on the breastfeeding process. For example the soreness, you might be sore for a little while in the beginning, but after that it should go away - and if it doesn't, it's likely caused by improper latch and a lactation consultant can help.

Tell him how much MONEY you can save (and that's based on 2001 prices), tell him the Risks of Formula Feeding. And, he can't fondle your breasts while you're holding a bottle in baby's mouth anyway...

I had this boyfriend a couple of years ago who said he liked everything about me except my breasts. He hated my breasts so much that he dumped me. I've looked at these pictures of natural breasts, and I've come to realize that they aren't any worse, or any better than these other women. I'm a size 40DD, and yes my breasts sag, and he found that completely repulsive. I don't speak to him any longer. I am okay with the way my breasts look and feel now, but he threw my self esteem a curveball, because I never saw my natural breasts as ugly before.

Amber

I've been an instructor in the modeling industry with a well renowned agency and my #1 concern was to instill self esteem in the youth...That we are all different and beautiful and those differences should be celebrated and not let anyone tell them differently. In my youth, all of the things that I hated about myself for, were the very things that made me successful as a model later on.

I breastfed both of my sons for about three years each (they naturally gradually weaned themselves). It was one of the sweetest times of my life. I would like to comment, however, that although I appreciate that this was rightfully my choice to do so in public if needed (if you are nursing, it just can't be avoided at times), I always covered myself or found a private place whenever possible, to respect the feelings of others, just in case it might make anyone uncomfortable. I believe the key is for all of us to make an effort to respect each others feelings without judgement or malice and the world will be a better place... It begins with us, the individual.

Deborah

I'm still breastfeeding my 19 month old and want to wean to take supplements and fat burners...i feel bad wanting to and planning on weaning her, I don't know what to do...15 minutes ago I was telling my husband I want to do it tonight...she only feeds at night...but now I read this and don't know what to do...

Tiff

Breastfeeding moms CAN take many kinds of supplements and medications, and on her pages you will find more info on those. Maybe your supplements and fat burners are just fine with breastfeeding (that is my guess anyway). Check Is this safe while breastfeeding?.

Thank you so much for this information. I was looking around the web thinking of getting a "sleep bra" to keep my breasts from sagging after my husband commented about needing a "firm up". I'm a 24 year old mother to two and they just haven't looked the same since...but looking at the photos of what NORMAL breats are to look like I feel 100% better about myself, my breatfeeding and everything! I thought it was all my fault for not being better about bra-wearing and/or tending to engorgement issues (which I never could seem to get the hang of getting rid of!)
Thanks so much. I finally feel normal.

Charlene

thank you so much for this website. I have always struggled with my breast size. I have felt so inadequate my whole life. I am very petite (5'4", 105 lbs) and wear a size 0 or 2. my breasts match my size- small. I have always been a 32A or B my whole life. my husband has always said he didn't care, but I never believed it. I always fantasized about implants, but thought that they were too fake and superficial. I have 3 kids, and nursed all of them. I have come to realize as I am older that it doesn't matter- while I still wish that I had a bigger cup size (c maybe), I know that there are all sorts of men out there. some like boobs, some like legs, some asses, etc. there is not one-size-fits all when it comes to what men like (just like women). my epiphany came when a friend of mine just got implants (D cup) and when I went to visit her, a guy friend that she knows was there. when I came in with my baby (9mos) and my little boobs, instead of drooling over my friend (which I though he would), he complimented me on how great I looked for someone with 3 kids. I realized then that while everyone (men and women) will notice a woman with big breasts, it isn't necessary to have them to be considered beautiful (just take a look at any supermodel or clothing ad). I only hope that someday americans stop being so shallow and superficial, and women and girls can finally be happy with who they are. thanks again for you site- I am going to make sure that I show it to my sons and daughter when they are a little older.

36yroldmamma

I am 28 years of age and before I had children I had round, perky size 12c breasts. I was very happy with my breasts at this time. I then had children and breastfed all three of them. After my first child I didn't notice much of a change to my breasts. After my second I did. I became aware that my breasts were a bit sagging after I finished breastfeeding him. It didn't bother me as much back then, but after I had finished breastfeeding my third child it did. I realised that I had gone down one cup size to a b. I would look at my breasts in the mirror and be so depressed at how they looked. It got to a point where I would be contemplating plastic surgery. But it would be too expensive and unnatural. Recently, it got to a point where I cried myself to sleep one night because I thought that I was unattractive to my husband. That physically he was not attracted to me. I cried that night and tried to go to sleep but couldn't because it consumed me so much. I knew that I would not get plastic surgery done, but I just wished that there was something natural out there that would help me get the breasts that I once had. The next day I logged onto the internet and found this website. After reading the information and looking at the gallery pictures. I feel like a load has been lifted of my shoulders. I'm not alone and compared to some of the breasts I've seen, my breasts don't seem to look to bad at all. I was obsessed with what people would think if they had seen my breasts and how unattractive I thought I was, but not anymore. I love my breasts. They have nourished my three children and they are natural. Sure they sag a little but now I know that it is ok, and that I'm not alone. This website has given me confidence on how I look and that I should not be loved on my breasts alone but on the whole package. To women out there who like me felt unattractive with sagging breasts. Lift your head up high and know that you are all natural and that there is more to you than just beautiful natural breasts.

judy

May I help you, ladies? Just give me a minute of your precious time to read my message:

I am a young man, 28 years old. This website speaks about breasts, so here's my opinion:

I really love breasts: small, big, tiny, heavy, "square", nicely round, falling down, with or without marks, with big or small areoles, dark or not, whatever!

The most important is them being NATURAL! So, ladies, learn to love your breasts! They are part of you, be proud!

I am a man, but admit: Most men are just too worthless for you to feel bad in your body!

Too big breasts? Take advantage of wearing beautiful necklines! Never be ashamed - think of it as having something more than other women. Men will look at you - take this as a compliment (this means you are attractive! who'd look otherwise?).

Too small breasts? Take advantage of wearing clothes showing your back (if you don't use a bra). Necklines with small tits is SO feminine too....

The important for me, as a man, is a woman being feminine. Breasts are only a part of feminity. What about legs? Arms? Face? Hair?

Don't want to show any skin? There are other ways of being feminine. It's all in the attitude! Wearing skirts, or even some nice pants, with a pretty top or shirt, and that's it. Of course, sport shoes and large floating clothes are very practical, but not really feminine. The attitude is also in the way of acting, walking, speaking.

I only agree on plastic surgery when it's really needed: after breast cancer (a surgery is important for a woman's state-of-mind, while giving her back her femininity).

In some cases, when having really excessive breasts, too heavy, hurting you or creating physical problems... surgery helps.

However, I'm not speaking of beauty or attractivness here. Only that when needed, it can be a solution.

But remember, I'm sure most women are more beautiful than what they think, and the breast size is not the problem. An unhappy women, with a bad face, gives a worse picture.....

A smiling lady, with beautiful hair (natural color is better, believe me!), feminine shoes and clothes, feeling well in her skin, is so pretty to look at that no body even thinks of focusing on her breasts (apart from perverts, but, well, nevermind on these).

I know many girls with tiny tits, or larger ones falling down, but the general picture is so beautiful... what a pitty some of them create problems thinking men want more than that.

To finish: if you are married or have a boyfriend, please, NEVER decide to make a surgery "just to please him". In that case, he's not worth it. Leave him. A man that loves you will love you exactly as you are. You will turn him on, because you are so natural...

King
PS:If you wish to contact me: email me: ep1409ep-tbm @ yahoo . com (without the spaces)

I was very excited to discover this web site. I think it's wonderful and informative. I am 25 and I have three very beautiful children all of whom have been breastfed. I get so angry when people think of breastfeeding as a shameful thing of disgust. I feel so strongly about breastfeeding that I would not want to have a child if I couldn't nurse him or her. It is the most priceless gift you can give your child. My children are five, four, and eighteen months. They have never been given formula and they are never sick, they have a very close bond with me, and they are all so smart. I nursed my first daughter for twelve months, my second daughter for eighteen months, and my son for sixteen months. I loved nursing my children and I will always have precious memories of nourishing their precious little bodies. I am so glad that I have finally found a site that describes breasts as exactly what they are: wonderful, GOD-given gifts that nourish your baby in a way that nothing else could. Thanks and GOD bless.

skarlette caputo

Thank you for this wonderful article! I'm breastfeeding my 4 month old daughter and wish to continue to do so until her first birthday, at least. Unfortunately, in our society, breastfeeding sometimes takes on a shameful tone. When I first began breastfeeding, I felt as though I had to hide out. But, when those thoughts entered my head, I did not follow through. I'm comfortable with breastfeeding my child and I will not hide out in a bathroom to do so while out in public or go to another room at a friend's house. Breastfeeding is a natural and the most beautiful thing a mother could give to her child!

Cammie

The picture captions seem a little 'Off' but I liked this site. People always used to be shocked that my mom breastfeed myself and my 3 siblings (my sister until age 2). My background is Pakistani, and our mothers have always believed it to be the most natural and healthy way. Even in parties women will step aside into a room to feed with no problem--it is only in America, land of 'freedom', where my mom was chastised for feeding all of us and making us 'dependent'!

Zareena

A friend sent me the link to this site to be funny; however, I found it quite informative. If I had not been informed about the how important breastfeeding is, I may have been a parent and seen my child trying to play with his or her mother's breasts and thought there was something wrong with it. However, I am glad to know that I have been adequately informed on the subject and that I will be able to do things right when I'm a parent. Thanks.

Jeffrey

I think that a mother breastfeeding a baby is the most beautifull sight to behold.

im a 20 yr old from the uk who today was considering surgery. after seeing your website I have decided not to have it done as my breast are normal and exactly like the ones in the 'have u ever seen normal boobs?' picture. now I know anytime I feel a bit down or self conscious I can tell myself I am normal!!!! your are an inspirational website thankyou ever so much xx

cassie

About time! I live in Happy Conservative Valley, Utah, and this is the FIRST time I've heard someone voice my opinions the way this website has done. There's something shameful in the fact that I'm the only one in my class who can look at a Botticelli nude and feel peace instead of arousal or shame.

Danny

I think you are right on the mark. the ignorance of people sometimes upsets me to the point of frustration and then I give up. So much of what we call sick or perverted is created in the minds of the sick and perverted. to me making something as natural as brestfeeding a no no, is twisted human behavior. Sure I see them as sexual too, I am a victum of my rearing a 60yr old male thet was taught they were mostly sexual and served as a side line to feed babies. Which by the way was not necessary when formula is available. But formula does not provide all the nurishment and health benifits as mothers milk. Todays mothers care about themselve first and there babies second. Don't ask them to go through the inconvience and embarisment of being human.

Gerald Sewell

I breastfed my daughter for 16 months. I would have gone longer but she was trying to wean for many months before that and so I let it go. Still, though, she sees my breasts when we bathe together, when I dress in front of her and I believe that if/when she asks about them, that I should answer her questions. She sees them just as a normal part of the human body and I am so proud of that! They are natural, they are what gave her nutrition for the first year of her life, why should anyone be ashamed of that? She knows mommy has them and she's even asked about them in public. If more children felt the same way about breasts, maybe the taboo of them would disappear healthfully.

Kiera

Thank you for the good information. I've always wondered why female breasts were so appealing to look at and why we seem to have a culture that is obsessed with breasts. Thanks to your article I know have some understanding why this problem has occurred.

Jon

I think our attitudes to the nude human body is an attitude passed on to us by our great-grandfathers and is totally wrong. Clothes are to keep us warm as we do not have enough body hair to keep us warm.
When the weather is warm we should be able to be in public as we please - this is supposed to be an enlightened civilisation! Feeding a baby in public is to be commended as being nude in public should be. When will we have this freedom? What other form of life hides its nudity? Why do we criticise so-called 3rd nations for their nudity which is so natural? We have a lot to learn. I think seeing a woman breast feeding her baby is a most beautiful sight.

Dennis. H

Hello,
First, I like to say that you have a very interesting site about breasts. I been obessed with breasts for 3 years now due to curiousity from looking at a brief sight of porn (I am 19 now). I wondered to myself why I look at this stuff, why I am obessed at looking at it, and why breasts are so interestng to see in general. Thanks to your site, majority of my questions have been answered and made me lesser of a "pervert" than I was. If breasts, topless women, and breastfeeding were a common sight then society wouldn't sexualized it like they did to the porn industry.
Thank you, 007b, for making me realized what breasts are from a different light.

Brandon

i live in australia, and have a 2 year old son. I stopped bf when he was six months, mainly because he was an absolute gannet and was bordering on obese. this was from advice from my midwife.

what I find wierd is that people in america have such a backward attitude (not all, but the "like a cow?" comment made me go.. huh?) when I decided to stop bf, people were like.. "oh, why would you stop? it's so good for you blah blah.."

maybe if you would tell the younguns that bf gets you back into shape quicker, they would line up and get 'em out...
hope everyone finds this site.. it rules
Sarah

Wow, I (18yo male) have never seen breasts presented like this before (figuratively speaking). Thank you for this information, it was enlightening : )
A.

I'm so grateful to have found this website. Your explanations have helped me to better understand my interest in breast feeding and nursing. My mother did not breast feed me as a child and rarely allowed a glipse of her except in a bra, or once when I hid in her closet. Thanks to your website I now see things very differently and respectfully.

Dennis

I like your web page. You are right the sexual obsession with breasts has gone crazy!! People think it odd to breastfeed a baby in public.. yet, that is their natural function. If you go to a resort with both europeans and americans, the american men go crazy do to bare breast sightings, and u know it is embarrasing to our international reputation!

nathan

i don't see why breast feeding should be done in public. I think it should be a private thing. yes, it is a natural process, but so is urinating, and I don't think that should be done in public either.

sam

People often use this argument, saying that breastfeeding is supposedly comparable to urinating or defecating or vomiting etc., and therefore should not be done in public - but it is not a just comparison. How is getting rid of body's unhygienic waste products comparable to feeding someone? Breast milk is food, and has many antibacterial and antiviral substances. Coming from a healthy person it is STERILE. It all boils down to the sexualization of breasts (again) being the reason that breastfeeding is seen as 'gross' or unacceptable in public.

let them see it is a normal function, noone thinks anything abiout watching animals suckle , what is the difference?

Hi! I live in Ireland. I'm a 17 year old male. I was breastfed as a baby. I have seen bare breasts before; I've seen my mothers and I've been to the Mediterranean and seen many other women's bare breasts on the beach too. I've also seen countless bare-breasts in pornographic material.

That said though I've never been intimate with a girl with her breasts bare. Do I like breasts? Well just like any other bodypart, some girls have nice legs, others don't, some have nice stomachs, others don't... but... I think the pornographic industry has monopolized on a certain little feature of our species: men don't have breasts.

So for the likes of myself, who would very much like to be sexually intimate with a naked girl, it's almost as if pornographic images of bare breasts are flouted in front of us as a body part we've never touched or kissed, and so we sort-of get this inner frustration of what we want but just can't have.

The pornographic industry wouldn't have been able to achieve this if it wasn't for our culture. Here's an example: Here in Ireland, if an attractive woman were to expose here breasts to me, I would become physically aroused; but after just a few hours on a Mediterranean beach, I just got used to seeing naked breasts, and there was no reason they should get me any more sexually aroused than say a pretty face.

Tom

wow, I have been stuggling with the whole "breasts are bad" thing since 4th grade. I am now 34 years old. I always wear clothing that covers up an tries to minimize my breasts. I am ashamed of them for some reason. I think its because I developed early and got alot of "sexual attention" from boys, by them pointing and making comments and whistling. but I was too young to think in a sexual way, and took it as being made fun of. it is hard for me to stand up straight in public without feeling like those whistles and comments are going to start. or that I may get unwanted looks from strange men. I am 40 DD and I even sometimes dont want my husband to touch them, it feels "bad", like I am doing something wrong. so, this whole website is really helping me to start seeing them in a different way. thanks so much.

~G

This is a great website! I still nurse my 13 mo. old son & we both love it! I've nursed him in the church pew, at restaurants, in airplanes with men whom I didn't know sitting next to me, while walking in the park & even while walking in the Chicago art institute looking at their magnificant paintings! I found nursing while walking to be easy if I had my son in an asian-style baby carrier. I just had to lift my shirt up enough for him to latch on. Very little flesh shows - someone would have to be looking over my shoulder to see anything. Even my friends walking next to me had no idea my son was happily nursing away. I also never used blankets in restaurants. If your shirt is large enough, the most anyone sees is a bit of flesh & then from the right angle & just for a second. Big deal. I say don't give a flip what others think & just do what's best for your baby!

Elisabeth

I was asked to chose a local issue to write an argument for or against for my English Comp class. I chose the topic of a local nightclub hosting a 'hottest flat chest' contest in order to win the grand prize of implants. As a nursing Mom of a beautiful nineteen month old boy, this issue boils my blood. Breasts are on my body to nurture him, not to please a bunch of horny men at a club, or anywhere else for that matter. I applaud this website, and hope it reaches many men and women and enlightens them on the breast's reason for being. It's such a basic part of our anatomy, with a purpose so clear. Sad how distorted or view of it has become.

Sarah

I am 22 and had my first child 2 months ago. At first breastfeeding was difficult but my mother her mother and so on and so on had breastfed so I stuck with it. I was actually pretty unaware of the breast obsession. Sure the in the media theyre supposed to be 'perfect' but my husband and family all see them as baby-feeding things. It was untill I was asked to leave the local coffee shop that I realized how bad things are. Quite frankly I threw a fit and was very upset. I was feeding my son there is nothing wrong with that. Its not like I hopped up on the table and started doing a strip tease or something you know. So I got online and looked around half the ads were for formula a third for breast augmentation some for porn and very little for breastfeeding support groups. Then I started to notice on television you can see tons of violence and sex and everything else but no breastfeeding mothers lots of bottle feedings though. I just think its all very strange. Momma breastfeeding baby is beautiful not something that should be shunned and looked down upon. It is nice to know that other people outside of my little community do think the same way I do so there still is hope and thats reassuring.
Samantha

I thank you for this website. I have always hated my breasts. I am naturally thin and have good-sized breasts (34 C). Unfortunally they have always sagged and i hate it. It made me feel ugly and unnatural with no way of fixing it, which caused me to cry about it. This website was a nice way to see it wasn't so uncommon and didn't make me ugly ( those I still wish they weren't so saggy). It's nice to see that i'm pretty normal.

Megan

GOD BLESS YOU! I stumbled onto this site doing a google search and glad that I did. I'm 20 yrs. old and a small A cup. I've always been aware of the fact I would never have big juggs. I've got "childbearing hips" and a round butt and always thought I looked unporportioned. I used to think if only I were 18 with $5,000... I could make myself happier. It seemed as if I was the only girl in highschool/college with small breasts. My first sexual relationship I had, my boyfriend would make fun of them with his in front of his friends and would say when he got job he would pay for a boob job. It crushed me and I became obsessed with this imperfection. I felt like a little girl instead of a young woman. I am now happily married to a guy that loves me no matter how much my body changes. Thank you so much for this site.

Shea

hi im 14 and htought that my breasts are not normale because one was bigger than the other:( but your website was very informative thank you!!!;)

amanda

I am so thankful for this site. I am 16 now and have been completely obsessed with breast size as well as just general body type since I was 10. I've been thinking I'm abnormally small and ugly for all of these years, and nobody has told me any differently. But it turns out I am totally %100 normal. This site doesn't completely cure my insecurities about my body, but it sure does make feel a whole lot better. Thank you so much.

Elizabeth

Interesting site and i have some comments about the culture surrounding breasts. Here in Europe (I am in Holland) breasts are also seen mainly as sexual body parts. However public display of breasts on beaches, and less common, swimming pools is normal. Also breastfeeding a baby in public (like in the office on with friends) is not a problem. So its possible to have both; have people realize and "use" the natural purpose of breasts, and also enjoy them in a sexual sense.

As my personall opinion is that both functions are natural, after all many body parts perform both functional and erotic aspects. Its nothing to be ashamed or confused about. I hope the USA learns the European way of "looking at your body".

Mike

I am a 27 year old man living in Italy but raised in America. Men here love breasts too. I admit that I like them and most women I have been with enjoy having them touched sexually. However, I think breastfeeding is natural and beautiful. They aren't sexual but that doesn't mean that they aren't sexy. A butt isn't sexual, but a woman can have a sexy butt.

Tom

...and what is considered attractive (sexy) varies from culture to culture and person to person.

I'm a young mother of six children all under 9. I've wanted to breastfeed for the health of my babies and tried to, but I get embarrassed about it. I didn't want anyone to see or even know including my husband. I would only breastfeed in private and bottle feed when someone was around, so it never worked out. This site is sure right about what this culture has done to our minds. Women should be able to breastfeed without shame.

sadmom

This site has changed my mind . i have got to know the true meaning of breasts. earlier i used to browse the pages of porn nude breasts sites simply because i had the blind interest in them. naked breast and thier abuse was all i used to see . but i have changed my mind now .thankyou for your knowledgeable site and i hope that this knowledge changes all misguided minds.special thanks to nursing mothers for thier breastfeeding pics feeding thier cute babies.thankyou and this site.hope this awareness spreads to all males and females.

sedler de silva

Dear 007 Breasts, I enjoyed reading your web page about breast taboos. I am a 40 yr old woman who was raised to believe that my breasts were there for the pleasure of the man. My first bra was a very sexy lace affair. My mother told me I should always look my best for the guys. Evan at 11? I guess so Mom. I remember she even had me model it for my step father. When I had my only child at 25 ( a boy) my husband let me nurse for a couple of weeks until he made it clear that his namesake was “cutting into his time”. From that point on the baby was on formula. But , because my ex liked me to wonder around the house topless, the baby saw my breasts often and to this day ( he is 15 now) doesn't seem to get excited over the sight of bare breasts. I don’t think that my son’s health was endangered by being refused the breast. I on the other hand resent the fact that I was made an ignorant participant in the game that men and week women like my poor mother were made to play in. I was 35 before I realized that this is my body. And there is nothing taboo about it!

Stacey

i found this website today after doing a search for "saggy breasts" i was curious to find what would come up, and unfortunatly not too suprised to find that most of it was stuff about how to "cure" it as if it was an affliction. also unfortunaly, my search was inspired by the fact that my husband is not attracted to my breasts and is clear in his word and behaviour that only upright breasts have sex appeal for him. this makes me very sad and i am currently working hard to find some sort of clarity about what, if anything can be done for us/me. i am begginng with working on improving my own body image and being proud of my body and my breasts. i stopped wearing a bra five months ago and feel better for it. no wierd little comparison every day "here is me with upright breast, and here is me with drooping breasts" good riddance. i am currently nursing my third child who is two. thanks for being a positive and affirming place.

annie d.

A few years ago I was in a Sack 'n Save food store in Grand Prairie, Texas. I was standing in line waiting to check out when I heard the man in front of me exclaim, "That's gross! How disgusting! How could they show that in a public place!" The guy appeared to be in his thirties at the latest. The woman with him seemed to agree. I was concerned as this is a general store for children and adults. I immediately thought it was something pornographic, like Playboy or even Cosmopolitan or some other magazine with a racy cover. When I got up to where the man and woman had been standing I noticed the magazine was one of the woman's magazines with a picture of Pierce Brosnan and his wife, who was holding and breastfeeding their daughter, if I remember everything right, on the cover. The first thing I thought was man you'd better never go south of the border, you'll really be grossed out when you see women doing that every where! I just didn't get what the guy thought was so vulgar and disgusting,etc. Sometimes I wonder what the American society is coming to. I lived 14 years in Honduras and traveled through Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras and the women do that every where. No one down there seemed to think it was disgusting or gross. I noticed that the poor women all breastfeed whereas the richer women were leaning towards not breastfeeding. Modern science has definitely proved the medical benefits of breastfeeding. Do people ever wonder how babies were fed for many years before bottles existed? My husband, who is from Honduras, and not an American at all, seems to be just as obsessed with breasts as American men are but doesn't think it's weird or unnatural for women to breastfeed.
Cheryl Castillo

I recently weaned my daughter on her 3rd birthday. She's our only child so far. We started prepping her for the day about nine months prior - that on October 17th, what would happen? And she would answer happily, "I don't get anymore boobah!" I was prepared to continue if she proved not to be ready, but on her birthday, she woke early, nursing, and I sang the birthday song in her ear. Then she popped up and happily exlaimed, "And I don't get anymore boobah!" I don't have any regrets about nursing her 3 years. Some guilt that I didn't let her quit on her own, but I think I did a good job preparing her. She loves her boobahs - they bring her great love and comfort. I let her hug and kiss them and play with them when we're snuggling or she's sad or going to sleep, whatever. My husband thought she'd be less about Mommy once she was weaned...surprise! I still have the boobahs, and I'm still Mommy! She's just not drinking the milk. I felt funny at first, like it's not okay by society's standards, what would people think if they knew, etc., etc., about her playing with the boobahs. Reading your article helped me. She gives a great big hug around my chest and says, "Oh, boobahs, I love you soooo much, and Mommy too!" She likes to rub the nipple on her face, stick it in her ear, on her eyelid, whatever, she REALLY loves these things. It's hilarious. Anyway, would love to hear from anyone engaging in extended breastfeeding. No regrets here - will breastfeed the next one at least as long, or until he/she's ready to quit. Another thing - after reading the LLL handbook, I do feel I was a little lazy with my parenting, offering breast when she wasn't asking for it because it was the easier alternative, etc., and I wonder if she would've weaned herself had I not intervened like that.

Jeanne

I have a 5 year old and a 10 month old. the 5 five year old breast fed until he was 2. when baby number 2 came along he started to help by unfastening my shirt and watching, i gave hime a teaspoon of milk and this has now led to him sucking before bed time again. i don't mind at all and figure he will stop when he wants to. it is close time with both boys and totaly enjoyable.

Lisa

I am a breastfeeding woman in the USA with a 3 month old daughter (my first child). I actually like breastfeeding in public because it gives people (especially children who haven't seen this before) a chance to see what breasts are actually for, or to give a new or expectant mother the courage to do breastfeed in public. I'm very discreet, but rarely do I use a blanket. I find that blankets are always in the way, and I don't think they are necessary. I often have people come up to me and ask to look at the "sleeping" baby! They usually blush or look away when I tell them she is having dinner!

Carolyn

I was always curious to how a breast looked like.... Believe it or not I was raised into believing that seeing a naked breast is wrong. I dont know whether I view it sexually or a breast feeder but I think girls should not be ashamed to show their breasts nor fear their breast size. My first time seeing a woman naked was when I turned 21....

Dani

I have BF both my children and am carrying my third. My son still puts his hands down my top and will put his head between my breast and still sees this as comfort - why should I take this away from his. I will feed my baby when it's born and feed it anywhere I please. I can't be bothered with all this bottle feeding when I have exactly what my baby needs right on tap. Also why should my baby be left screaming for the length of time it takes to make and warm a bottle when the distress can all be avoided. I have been asked not to feed in a cafe before and turned around and said that only the deprived would want to deprive my child and that this is my child's lunch and we eat together whether they like it or not.

tereasa

I had once asked my mom when I was younger if she breastfed me. And she said no she didn't feel comfortable about. This site explains why i'm so drawn to breasts. It still drives me nuts to this day that i wasn't. I'm more connected to my instincts and i can still feel that animal instinct to nurse from a breast even when i'm 21 now.

I was always looking at her breasts when she wasn't looking when I was younger and still do today. This site makes perfect sense how guys just never get over not being breastfed even into there adulthood. Cause now i still wish i could ask her if she would let me suck on them. She got breast implants a few years ago and went from a B cup to atleast a C or D cup and it just makes it so much harder to resist just pulling her top down and sucking on them.

Has any mother here with more then one child being older like around 7 to teenage years asked to suck on your breasts during or after seeing you breast feed his baby brother or sister?

The situation (obsession) you describe does not generally come about just because of not being breastfed... Not all males that were formula-fed face this situation. It may be your mom ALSO (in addition to not breastfeeding you) has tried to prevent you from seeing her or any other women's breasts through your childhood and has probably conveyed you that breasts are a very strong taboo - thereby causing this strong a curiosity.

But it is a very good idea to let older children see babies breastfeeding so they can learn breasts are to feed babies. Breastfeeding should not be "hidden" from other children, because by seeing a mom nurse, the child is learning that breastfeeding is normal rather than a "shameful" thing that needs to be hidden away. Children who have been breastfed and/or who see breastfeeding will most likely NOT be obsessively curious about it in later ages. For nursing moms there are some great articles about this in the internet, for example Tips for nursing a newborn and toddler.

I breast fed my baby for over a year. I have very big breasts (40D) and my nipples got gigantic, big as my thumb. They leaked when I bent over. But I loved the closeness with my child. My step-father is a breast fanatic, and we are very close. I let him see me feed my child. I thougt at first it might have been a bad idea as I know it aroused him, but after a while he would just smile with a genuine affection for the love between us and the natural act. I'm on my second pregnancy and my husband has left me he seemed revolted at the nursing. I guess I will be back at Mom's again. At least there I'm confortable.

Nickeya

the young are lucky to breatfeed now. in my time 27 years ago it was frowned on so let the kids enjoy the milk and mom enjoy the closeness.

marlene

why are they a sexual stimuli? Because they are something forbidden for men to see everyday. So they (the males) use their imagination and that is what is stimulating them. To guess what they would see (the forbidden).
After a stint on a nude beach, where these items are aplenty, the stimulation reaction dissappears as it is a common sight. Nothing special.
Thats what this guy can tell you.

bernie

I never thought of breast as something sexual, they are like any other part of our bodies (each has its own purpose). I'm only 19, but I hope to have children someday and I will breastfeed them for as long as I can because I want my babies to be as healthy as they could possibly be. Breast feeding is the best gift I can give my child.

Colleen

I am an Indian and I don't see much difference in the common perception of men as well as women in India about the female breast as compared to their Americans counterparts...This site is really an eye opener for many here also...Great site...Nice work...All the best!

sudipta

Yes, I can identify. I must have been cut-off really early.

Dave

Wow ! what a useful concept ! Really I like this. I am Indian, and Indian people more towards extended- breast feeding.I was thinking we are backward in thinking, but it is not like this !Thanks a lot for this, I can now educate people to increse their orientation towards BF. Thanks and Regards, Hiren, India

Hiren

I saw a lady breast feeding her in a restruant when having dinner, I thought what a beautiful natural thing, nothing sexual about it.

neil mutchler

AMEN! Now the question is, how in the world do we get this message across to all pregnant moms in this country? As a hospital based LC, it seems no matter what we do or how hard we work, all our efforts are undermined by others. What a shame.

Jamie Penrod RN CLC

I think you've hit the nail rigth on the head with this idea. I am a 37 year old man with a fasination with women's breasts.
The funny thing about my situation is that I am married to a wonderful woman. However, I can not stop myself from trying to get a better look at another womans breasts. You made a comment that I have told myself, "I wonder what they look like?" This my whole scinario when I see an attractive woman with a revieling top on. I just want to see what they look like.
Background: I was never breast fed and I was told not to touch as a child. As I was growing up my fasignation with the girls in school stemed from wanting to see what there new developing breasts looked like. As well I did not see a woman's breasts until I was a teenager.
I have believed for some time that if Americans saw the female breasts on a daily bases, that the fasignations would cease to occupy men's minds.

Thank you for you insight into this area of my mind.

Steve

Yes, woman should breastfeed and not be thought of in a strange way. My god we let everything decent slip away.

John

I agree with everyone's opinion here. Society has warped both men and women's minds about the true role of breasts. I have come upon the idea that the male view of breasts is like that of a 3 year old with a toy: They're fun for about 5 minutes, then you get bored and move on to something else.

Bill

I think this is a positive site. My breasts however were not represented lol.

Mary

Wonderful site! I made a committment to breastfeed my son before he was born, yet in the hospital, the "breastfeeding support bag" that I was given was made by a formula manufacturer and contained a free sample of their formula. I have nursed my son anywhere and everywhere--restaurants, airplanes, supermarkets, parks, etc. Most people are incredibly uncomfortable when I do so, particularly since it is now summer and too hot to use a blanket for privacy (besides, my son is 7 months old and would pull it off anyway). My sister once asked me to promise not to breastfeed in public, to go hide in the bathroom so that she wouldn't be uncomfortable. I refused and gave her my reasons, and she is now much more supportive.

I will nurse my son until at least a year and then allow him to decide on weaning. I work full-time and pump for him while I am gone. It is a huge committment to do this, as it usually takes me 4-5 pumping sessions to get enough for the 2 bottles my son takes while I am gone. But I know that I am doing the best thing for him and I will continue to do so as long as I need to.

Shammy

Great website. I've been feeling some pressure by society, friends, family, going back to work soon, etc., that I should start weaning my son as he is over 6 months old, but now I feel confident that I'm going to stop breastfeeding him only when he does not want it anymore! Thanks for the website!

Tara Arro

I agree with this website. Fortunately, my baby refuses the bottle completely, and only takes milk from the breast, even if I pump into a bottle. I feel this limits my ability to do certain things -- go to ball games, horse races, etc, unless I want to nurse in the bathroom. Who wants to nurse her precious baby in a dirty bathroom!!!!!

Kathy

Finally! What I've been thinking for years is in "print"! My husband is not breast-obsessed, and I've attributed it to the fact that he was breastfed when our generation was bottle-fed. Our oldest children were non-plussed by the fuss created by the Superbowl halftime show (we didn't see it but it was hard to escape the aftermath) because they are used to seeing their mom and other moms breastfeed. I joked that there's always nipple showing around here...because I'm nursing my babies (my "baby" is now 20 mos.). I never make excuses and have openly (yet discreetly as fit the situation) exclusively breastfed all of my children for the past 12 1/2 years, adjusting my work schedule to fit around my first baby. We have fed in restaurants, at work, on airplanes, at church services, malls, zoos, and anywhere else needed. At first my parents were uncomfortable, but by baby #4 they didn't even notice any more! I have breastfed all of four until at least 18 mos. and up to 3 1/2, depending on when they weaned themselves. This site is terrific. I am going to recommend it to new moms and ones with older girls/teens, as well as to my midwife. Thanks so much! It's wonderful to see pictures of other "working" breasts. I think it's so sad when I'm sitting next to a breastfeeding mom who feels uncomfortable feeding her child--and she's only around women! We need to support and educate each other. Thanks for your hard work!

Marie

I think a mother has a right regardless where she is at to open her blouse and breast feed without covering her breast that is what they are designed for.

Sandra K. Merriman

Hi this is my wife's husband, just using her name. We have tried breastfeeding but unfortunately we cannot, but I help her pump them so our son gets the necessary nutrients. But I just wanted to say this is a great site. It's nice to see one so dedicated to useful info and not some tramp trying to get money for showing her chest as I unfortunately found out when I typed in breast and hit search. Thanks again

happymother of m&ms

My son is now nearing 10 months olds and still breastfeedings 2x in the morning, after each meal, 1x before an afternoon nap, 1x before bed, and 1 to 2x during the night. He has been on a 2 hour schedule ever since the first weeks of life.

At first I wanted to stop because it was so painful but I kept at it: gritted my teeth and endured the pain. Eventually it went away and things got much better. There have been times when I wish he was bottle fed: it would be so much easier! But, not only does he HATE formula, breastmilk is so much healthier and hey, I never have to mix a bottle or let him cry while I fix it at night!

At first I was very shy about breastfeeding but once I got the hang of it I was able to do it in public without the aid of a privacy blanket. My shirt covers enough. Now I just feed him when he needs to be fed and if people feel uncomfortable they don't have to look! My baby is healthy and happy and I know what I am doing for him is best. He was 20 pounds at 7 months!

I knew that breastfeeding wasn't as common as bottlefeeding but I was shocked at your statistic that only 33% of breastfeeding moms are still doing it at 6 mos. Kind of makes me proud to know that I am one of the few who have stuck it out for my child and made it work.

I have support from my baby's daddy and my family. However, my baby's great-grandparents (his dad's grandparents), every time we see them they ask "Now, how long do you do that nursing thing for?" I think they must feel uncomfortable-I thought their generation would be more in tune with this stuff. His greatgrandmother then proceeds to tell us a story of playing bridge with a friend when their toddler pulls of a stool next to their mom, lifts of the shirt, takes a few sucks, and walks away. She always seems so suprised when she tells this story.

I do feel the pressure of weaning him around one year, but maybe I will see how things go and let him do it on his own. Afterall, he knows better what he needs than does the public.

April

I think you guys are right about keeping the breast away from the baby makes him more curios. I still have this obbsesion about my little sister's breast and she knows it and tends to sometimes tease me about having this lust for her small perky breast.

john

Here's the view of a 'breast man' on the topic; a sort've view from the opposite side of the fence from, say, a woman looking at it who believes in the naturism of the breast. I believe that MOST 'breast men' are victims of the psychological trauma you describe. It most certainly doesn't go away, even as we get into our teens and adulthood. We still want 'mommy's breasts' and since that is obviously not an option, we look for comfort in the breasts of other women. Most women seem to think of breast men as perverts who don't see breasts for what they really are, but that is very incorrect. On the contrary, the breast man is rather like a big baby if you think about it and he just wants what any baby wants when he gets hungry. What could be more natural?

Regis A Welch

First, I agree with this article! Next, girls DO get sexual about breasts, and I don't mean just lesbians. Just look on any of the single women's magazines for a nice "breasty" view of the woman on the cover (say, Cosmopolitan magazine, for instance). Finally, I think that all the obsession, and especially the anger directed at women who attempt to nurse in public and get thrown out of malls and restaurants has to do with jealousy by the people who act this way. It is probably true that these adults weren't breastfed, or that they were weaned early and subconsciously want to nurse themselves. This is unacceptable for many reasons. The wish must stay subconscious or wreck havoc to the person wishing, so it comes out in rage towards innocent people who are just getting on with their lives.... make sense? That's my 2-cents!

DeAnne

I was about to wean my baby at almost 3 months, because of my very busy schedule with my other kids. After reading your article I am going to stick it out until at least 6 month, I agree with everything you said and would feel so guilty if my 3rd child is not as healthy as my others.
thank you for helping me make my decision NOT to wean too early.

ldriscoll

Excellent Article! I breastfed both of my children until they were 1 yr. old. Humans are mammals. Breasts are how God intended mammals to feed their young. Now at least I understand why my current male friend is so obsessed with the female breast. He was adopted from a German orphanage as an infant.

Jennifer Cowell

BEAUTIFUL SITE! Amazing points that I seem to easily forget living in the US. Thank you for your reminders and your wonderful website!

PS...I breastfed all four of my children... one up until age 5yrs. All of my children are perfect and healthy!

Saraj

I think all of America should read this article. Then maybe they would just learn to relax about all this breast stuff. I agree 100% with what has been said here. I am one of those obssessed men and I believe it's due to these facts. I'm not saying there is anything wrong with a man liking breasts but when you try to hide something that is natural such as this it only makes you want it more.

James Phillips

This is a wonderful site.

As a man I find the whole issue of breasts compelling. I have a strong opinion about people, specially women who feel embarrased, almost ashamed of their own bodies!
Why?
That is exactly the attitude that promotes ignorance and negative reactions.

I have the chance to travel extensively, and those travels gets me in contact with other cultures and customs. For instance, in a tribe we were visiting in southern Africa, a woman came to my wife and ask if there's was something wrong with her; because her breasts were 'bound'. You see, she was wearing a bra and a tight shirt in a region where all the women were practically naked. My wife decided to participate and proceeded to go topless. Not one, not a single person be it male of female cared that my wife was topless. In fact, it wasn't until then that we felt welcome in their village.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that, if women aren't confident enough to proclaim their own physical freedom, then the last thirty years of feminism have been a farse! It has nothing to do sexually, it just a matter of physical comfort.

Women, be proud and happy of your bodies. Don't let some slizzy individual take your beauty away, by telling you, you don't look right. You have as much right to be topless in a park or beach as I, or any other man has.

I know I was breastfed as a kid, for that I thank my Mother. It was a healthy attitude. Now I see beasts for what they are, a functional, practical and yes, beautiful part of the human body.

It really bothers me when I hear some women complaining about how they feel, when they see other women's chest on tv. Well, you have as much right to be that woman. The problem is, you never allow your own beauty to be seen, so naturally, the alternative is what we get to be bombarded with. Smut.

Please, don't get me wrong. There is a place and time for everything. There's beauty and there's garbage. But to be ashamed of your own body parts is not only tragic, but maybe even unhealthy!

I strongly believe that if there were to be more women, confident to be topfree, braless doing day to day activities, the perception will change. It has to. The Taboo, Myth and the perversion will be swated away from something that should be wholesome and natural.

I'm not endorsing a careless or licentious society. After all we're all tired of the junk that comes out of Hollywood and other industries. I suggest only a mere change of attitude. A more healthy one, where women actually are viewed for their beauty and role as mothers.

Clark

There are local radio stations here that are 'giving away' breast augmentations. What do our young teens think when they hear older women crying/being excited,etc. on the radio competing for such a 'prize'.
This is a damaging cultural attitude!
Thank you for your comments. It put the 'taboo' into perspective, and I think you are totally right.
I think the whole porn industry feeds on curiosity as well as low self-esteem.
The human body is beautiful and nothing to be ashamed of. Too many babies are missing out because people buy into the 'be ashamed' industries.
I resent being mercilessly plastered with breast giveaways/enhancements and viagra commercials--BUT I really feel sorry for the young people that are being raised with the 'futuristic' view that this might also be a self-consuming concern of their own imminent adulthood. AND I would rather see a mom breastfeeding in public than see a baby getting second-rate animal food.

Breastfeeding my second toddler

I have a breast fetish that I recognise as unhealthy. Your explanation as to how things like this can form in a person's mind was really helpful.

Anon

How wonderful to read about other people who, like me, have the sense to know that if God gives us a body part that produces fluid, then there must be a good reason for it! Our mouths couldn't eat very well without saliva, our eyes couldn't see without tears to keep them moist and clean, and lucky for all those "poor babies" ;) born before the invention of formula that their mommies' breasts made milk! Otherwise people and dinosaurs would be in the same boat!! Hopefully by breastfeeding my son, he will naturally respect his future wife's (and all women's) body. Maybe one day I'll have a daughter-in-law who owes me a thank you! :)

Natalie

Shame on America for making the breasts sexual. I do not like to follow this cultural attitude, so I allow what God gave me these for anyway. I could care less how they look or I don't care about dressing them up in any way, just what they are supposed to be used for.

Debbie B.

I would agree with this that we are just not given the opportunities through good education to know that bare breasts are not bad. I have been out at different functions when a woman is breastfeeding publicly and the mother does not just take off her top and have at it, but is respectful of others. If more families would talk to kids about this maybe we would not have all this pressure about breast. Maybe if more women could go braless?

Mark

THANK YOU!!!!!!
as a staunch advocate of breastfeeding I've loved reading through your pages. They succinctly tell of all the things I have been thinking of since my first child was born over 7 years ago.

Since then, I've breastfed three children for a total of nearly six years between them (the youngest still feeds several times a day at least, at the age of 20 months). In that time I have come across sour middle aged women at the public library, who were shocked to find that I was breastfeeding my daughter there (obviously they would prefer a screaming child to one discreetly feeding under a light blanket: they needed to ask, they weren't even sure she was breatfeeding! and I told them); but I've also had the empowering experience of catching the local bus up to my home and having half a dozen wonderful women telling me their breastfeeding experiences and expressing amazement that I was unusually still feeding an 18 month old girl.

THANK YOU AGAIN!
great resource, and I really must bookmark it for future reference.

Kit, Cape Town, South Africa

I have been fascinated/'obsessed' with breasts all of my life. I have been wondering why? The discussions posted on your website have helped me to understand the reasons behind my obsession with breasts. As from now on, I will start thinking about breasts in terms of their bodily function - milk producers and baby feeders. With time, I hope that I'll perceive women's breasts as no longer being primarily a source of sexual fantasy/arousal; but, as important glands responsible to produce life sustaining subtance (milk) to feed babies. In future, I sincerely hope to see the 'taboo' associated with breastfeeding disappear in the western culture and more sanctions placed on the multi-million dollar business of soft-porn, which explicitly exploits the primary use of women's breasts from sustaining life to sexual perversion.

Anon

Thank you! This site is part of my personal journey to heal from all of the pain I've endured because of our society's obsession with objectifying the female body. I SO needed to stumble upon this site. I believe in working to educate young people about how much the media distorts reality and tears down womens' self esteem! Change is needed! Thanks for caring enough about this issue to put up this site. I wear a 32 A bra size and I'm beautiful.

pianogirl

Reading the articles on this site has been great. I, myself, have been a victim of society's obsession with the female breasts. I am constantly comparing the size of my breasts with the ones I see on TV. I have learned that more and more women are augmenting the natural size of their breasts by surgery. I remember telling my mom that in a couple of years most women will become like plastic dolls. Everything will be fake. I'm a size 38-40C and I still don't think I'm big enough. I don't know why I let all hype about big boobs get to me. I keep thinking to myself I need to be bigger. Thank God, I am starting to get a grip.

Rachelle

I was married to a woman who already had two children, and we had no children of our own. (We have since divorced, but that's another story.) She said her first husband was jealous of her breastfeeding her children. I told her I wish I could have seen her breastfeeding them!

If I do marry again, I will definitely encourage my new spouse to breastfeed if we have children. This is somewhat unlikely given my age, but it's possible. And if the public gives her difficulties, I'll fight for her right to nurse that baby anywhere and everywhere!

John

I believe that a woman's breasts can be viewed as both sexual and as a source of nourishment for a child, but on the same token a woman's hand or foot is also viewed as sexual by some people along with their natural functions. If women are required to cover their breasts why shouldn't a man's just because it doesn't produce milk? They both look alike and some women's breasts aren't any different in size than a man's. I think if we were to see more women walking without tops on as do men, then eventually maybe the general public wouldn't make such a big deal over it.

Me and my girlfriend are both supporters of equal rights for women and have challenged the police in Buffalo, NY on a couple of occasions where an officer had told my girlfriend that she couldn't remove her top in public. After they had checked it out they realized that she wasn't breaking any laws and was just exercising her rights to go topfree and enjoy the sunny summer day.

More women need to stand up for their rights and make the public aware that there is nothing wrong with the women's breasts!

A good site to check out is Topfree Equal Rights Association (TERA).

John Aaron

I don't have children (YET!!!), but when I do, I am definately going to breastfeed. I grew up on a farm, in a very open family, and breastfeeding is the most natural thing in the world to me. That's what they are there for, after all! Kudos to your excellent website!
Ellie

Love your site. It's well put together, includes references, and doesn't tiptoe around the facts. Bravo!

Nicole Anagnostopoulos

I was fed at the breast as an infant and never bottle fed (milk). Later I was given fruit juices in a bottle and it triggered a severe citric acid allergy. You might read Dr. Mercola's information on fruit juice drinking. Dr. Ralph L. Reed referred me to your site.

If women are afraid that their breasts will be noticed, quit wearing push-ups and wear an undershirt and a loose blouse or dress with a full top. Your breasts will almost disappear! Look at old fashioned dresses like the amish and many mennonites wear and it is readily apparent that they do not emphasize their breasts yet do not suppress them with straps. Unmarried women often claim that they want to be appreciated for other than their body shapes yet their conduct often says otherwise.

And why does a married woman feel she needs to dress so as to attract other men's eyes? If bare chests were strongly drawing to male eyes, men in those remaining cultures where women go bare chested couldn't get anything done - they'd be dong nothing but staring at women's chests all the time. It's only where bareness is unusual or restricted to isolated areas, like nude beaches, that bare breasts strongly draw the eyes.

Al G.

Thanks alot for the information as it makes me feel alot better. I have always had this inferiority complex about my breast size even though they are not that oversized but to an extent they have grown in the last 2 years or so. I hated it when men look at my breasts in certain way, there were even some men who pass disgusting remarks by looking at my breast (very maniac). And I always used to compare with the others who have smaller breast n wished for one thinking that mine is abnormal but now after seeing this site i realised the fact that it's normal and there's nothing to be ashamed about. Thanks

Tina

I wish breast could been seen by all for what they are intended for- breastfeeding! I feel enraged that models and movie stars can expose their breast as sexual objects for $$$ and I have to try to hide mine while I try to feed my baby. My baby is 8 months and I have heard many comment that they think it is not "proper" to breastfeed a baby over one - or they think it is freaky to breastfeed an older baby! I am to be made to feel like a freak should I decide to continue to feed my baby passed age 1? While many know breast is best - most moms I know stop before 6 months- a well educated mom recently told me that passed 9 months your breastmilk is just water (she quit at 4 months). We need more education! Your website is great but I fear it is not being read by those that need to know this information. But I am encouraged by your website and it does give me more incentive to keep breastfeeding and challenge all who challenge me for doing it.
Thank you

Pamela

I love this site. Men and society in general jsut need to get over it. God created me with breasts to feed, comfort, and nourish my children. I refuse to see them any other way.

Jenny

This is an awesome site!!! Everybody seems to think that women deserve to be treated like sex objects. If it weren't for the female-promoting sites on the internet, I would probably turn into one of those self-damaging girls with no self esteem. THANK YOU!

jane feminist

Your site can do so much to help many people change the way they think about breastfeeding. Thank you so much.

Cecilia

Very nice site, I could not have said it all better myself. I will pass it along to everyone on my email list!

Kendra

This is by far the best site I have seen promoting breastfeeding as a source of feeding, love and comfort for the child and educating the public about how twisted our society has become regarding breastfeeding. Like so many others, I was made to feel "dirty" for "still" nursing my 18-month-old son and weaned him because of it. Since the birth of our daughter, I have visited many websites for education and support about extended breastfeeding. She has just turned a year, and we will go on nursing happily as long as she wants to, and I refuse to give it up because society says I should!
-Laura
Mom to 3 beautiful breastfed babies

What a wonderful site! At last I dont feel like a freak cause I feel that breasts are for babies, full stop! I'm so proud of my body, although its not 'perfect' in the eyes of society....it has grown and fed my babies very nicely, thank you!!!........

purplegirl

It is a really great site!
Your site was a real encouragement to me. keep up the good work!

Heather