Breasts, tits, baps, fun bags, cans, puppies, gazongas, jugs, whatever you want to call them they still only have one purpose, and I'm sorry boys, it has nothing to do with sex.
(well, except the aftermath)
If I asked you to picture breasts, what would you think of? Some hot young thing? A page three stunner? Perhaps one of those overly erotic dance videos? What ever it is I doubt it has anything to do with their function.
Babies!
They are for babies (well, duh!). Like the udders of all other animals they were placed upon us to feed our young. Just how did it all go so wrong?
For millennia the breast knew its purpose and was respected for it. If you walk into most churches you will be greeted by the sight of the Virgin Mary with the baby Jesus at her breast. A beautiful, sweet and most natural thing. How has it got so twisted?
Less than a month having giving birth I had my first challenger to breastfeeding. For some reason many women seem to find it an insult to their own choices and feel it's their right to criticise and comment. I know that I am very lucky to be able to breastfeed, not everyone is. Some people choose not to. Many people have many different reasons for this. It is a personal decision.
But, whether you choose to breastfeed or not the evidence is now insurmountable.
Breast is best.
But that still doesn't give me the right to tut, stare or make derogatory comments. So how is it that, in doing the best thing, the scientifically proven best thing for my baby I am on the receiving end? I would not dream of thrusting my views and opinions upon others and it frustrates and angers me when others do so. Being a parent is hard enough, beguiling enough and terrifying enough without having your choices questioned and challenged at every turn.
My breasts are not for sex. My breasts are not for staring at.
But do you know what? I don't care if you do stare. Balls to all the comments, the looks, the tuts. I know I am doing the right thing.
I love breastfeeding. I am proud to breastfeed. And I plan to carry on until my daughter is ready to stop.
(so there!)