Five Confessions of a Breastfeeding Mother

breastfeeding confessionsI was talking to a friend today about how breastfeeding changes your attitude to your breasts. I laughed at all the things that I have done, many repeatedly, that would have, pre-baby, mortified me and now I just shrug and smile.

Here are my top 5 confessions:

1. Your breasts are now your baby’s, they are food – no one, I mean NO ONE else is allowed to touch them!

2. Despite the no touch rule, you don’t care who see’s your breasts whilst nursing (and yes, you will flash dozens of people during your breastfeeding journey)

3. You will wander around with your breasts free, your nursing bra unclipped and not even care that you can’t remember how long you’ve been like that

4. Your new wardrobe can only be described as “easy access” – anything that can be pulled up/down/to the side easily will be coveted!

5. You will feel your breasts in public (checking which side to feed on next) whilst talking to someone and think nothing of it

It’s all for a good reason and a good sense of humour will take you a long way! What else have you done?

64 thoughts on “Five Confessions of a Breastfeeding Mother

  1. KristeenieB

    I still catch myself checking my breasts and I haven’t nursed in 4 months. I was also and at times still am really guilty of massaging the sides of my breasts. I often get strange looks.

    Reply
    1. mummyinprovence Post author

      So it doesn’t stop when you wean? LOL! I can believe that …. I’ve got that to look forward to I guess! 🙂

      Reply
  2. Ummzakaria09

    I have finally stopped the public boob squeezing after Zaki weaned a month ago but I would do it all the time without realising it. I had HUGE hickies on my boobs sometimes where I would drift off, Zaki would lose his latch as he fell asleep and would then just suck on anywhere he could find. Horrible!! When he was tiny we ended up having to rush him to hospital and I hadn’t got any spare breast pads so ended up with 2 dinner plate sized patches on my top (wanted to curl up and die). Because we were in Algeria for 6 months I wasn’t comfortable feeding in public so the amount of yucky public toilets I’ve perched in with him dangling precariously from my boobs is pretty large lol. I could blah on all day!

    Reply
    1. mummyinprovence Post author

      Yes! I forgot about the hickies! I had them on my shoulders! Oh and the wet patches! Its all so sexy!
      I can’t believe you fed Zaki in public toilets in Algeria – wow, that is dedication! Good job mama!

      Reply
  3. mummyinfrance

    HOW TRUE!! This has really made me laugh, thank you. I can remember being in the company of friends who don’t yet have children and they looked at me and asked if I was o.k. I of course was oblivious that I was giving my breasts a good squeeze!!

    Reply
    1. mummyinprovence Post author

      Glad this made you laugh!

      Reply
  4. Mommyfriend

    Oh my goodness, all so true. Especially #1! That was something I was never expecting!

    Reply
    1. mummyinprovence Post author

      It’s funny how your relationship with your body changes so dramatically once you have a baby!

      Reply
    2. Anonymous

      Hee hee! Amazing isn’t it?

      Reply
  5. Pigletinfrance

    Love it!! I’m planning to BF so this is a good insight! I’m gonna have to get over being a prude!

    Reply
    1. mummyinprovence Post author

      Thanks! It will happen without you even realising! Trust me!

      Reply
    1. Anonymous

      Thank you so much! Great to hear from another Mummy that we are not alone!

      Reply
  6. Skeet

    Love #4. I stalk Goodwill for “easy access” attire!

    Reply
    1. mummyinprovence Post author

      Easy access clothing is something I NEVER thought I would be on the constant look out for!

      Reply
  7. Fruitful Fusion

    This is SO hilarious! All of the above apply to me. And it’s been over a year, but I sometimes forget that I don’t need “easy access” any more (or those maternity bras that I need to get rid of!)

    Reply
    1. mummyinprovence Post author

      🙂 So funny what we become when we are breastfeeding mama’s eh? I had no idea that it would continue long after weaning though! Thanks for the insight!

      Reply
  8. Jessica The Leaky Boob

    I can relate to most of these but not #1. As long as it’s on my terms I can still enjoy my breasts being touched by my DH, I like it quite a bit actually, LOL! But I know plenty of women that feel as you do. Thanks for this, it was fun.

    Reply
    1. melissa

      TOTALLY agree Jessica LOL!!

      Reply
    2. Mrs L

      I agree! My breasts are most definitely multi-functional (I must confess, I feel very powerful as a breastfeeding mama!). Love this list though, can totally relate to boob feeling!!

      Reply
      1. mummyinprovence Post author

        Multi-functional! I love it! Thanks for stopping by!

        Reply
    3. Leigh

      I agree! I never had a problem sharing my boobs. (Well, I don’t think dh touched them for a couple weeks postpartum, but after that initial transition, they were part his again.) Never had a lack of libido, either. I nursed for over 4 years. I post this because I always feel like an anomaly in this department, but I know I’m not!

      Reply
      1. mummyinprovence Post author

        Thanks for sharing! Breastfeeding changes us in different ways and the best part is whatever our experience, we are never, ever, alone!

        Reply
    4. mummyinprovence Post author

      So glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for sharing it too!

      Reply
  9. Jen

    I feel my breasts in public to make sure the nursing pad is still in place so I don’t leak all over my clothes!

    Reply
    1. mummyinprovence Post author

      Leaking on to clothes is NO fun … feeling yourself in public is something I had no idea about before I started breastfeeding!

      Reply
  10. Nada

    This was a cute list. And so true! It made me smile! 🙂

    Reply
    1. mummyinprovence Post author

      Thanks! Glad it made you smile! Thanks for commenting!

      Reply
  11. Kate

    LOL! This is so true and funny! I walk around town here sometimes with one nursing bra flap up and one flap down, making me look completely lopsided and loony!

    Reply
    1. mummyinprovence Post author

      LOL! I’m guilty of being lopsided regularly! Glad I am not the only one!

      Reply
  12. Sarah

    Love them all, especially number 3. My hubby is just waiting for me to walk up the road with one hanging out, as I do that at home so much. I forget to put the puppies away!

    Reply
    1. mummyinprovence Post author

      Thank you! I’ve gone out and felt that something wasn’t quite right but couldn’t put my finger on it until it comes to the next feed and then I realise I’ve been unclipped for hours!

      Reply
  13. Ronique

    So true except for the no touch rule. The hubby can touch them if his hands are clean, but he can’t suck or lick them until Maribella is weaned. Gosh I can’t believe a baby was fed in a public restroom! Don’t be ashamed sweetie. If you wouldn’t eat in a public restroom-a dirty one at that then your little angel shouldn’t have to.

    Reply
    1. mummyinprovence Post author

      Thanks for your comment Ronique – UmmZakaria was in Algeria when she fed in a public toilet because culturally it would have been a huge taboo to feed in public which is sad. I agree with you 100% that babies should not have to be fed in bathrooms but I guess needs must when it comes to countries where the accidental flash of a bit of breast could result in a national outcry!

      Reply
  14. Sarah

    LOL! I HAD to post that I just went to put my boob away as DS2 is sleeping on my lap and the other side of my bra was unclipped…….I have no idea for how long 🙂 This list is so true and funny. I am especially guilty of feeling which side to feed from in public. Thanks for the laugh!

    Reply
    1. mummyinprovence Post author

      So happy this made you laugh! 🙂 Being unclipped is part of everyday life – I sometimes wonder why I put a bra on in the morning! Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
  15. Trudy

    LMAO! So true!!! I can’t even begin to tell you some of the misadventures I’ve had with leaving one of my F sized boobs (probably the right one since she’s the main producer) swingin freely while I run into a store, answer the door, or meet friends for lunch lol. I never remember to clip my bra!

    Reply
    1. mummyinprovence Post author

      hahaha! Thanks for sharing! Sounds like we’ve all been there (many times!)

      Reply
  16. sarah

    How great to be led to reflect on these changes. Before becoming a mother, if a bra strap fell down my shoulder it was a social crisis for me to figure out how to pull it back up in a crowd. Now, all the points you made resonate as true with me.

    Reply
    1. mummyinprovence Post author

      Amazing how motherhood changes us all isn’t it? All inhibitions fly straight out the window!!!

      Reply
  17. HomemadeMother

    Love this! Thanks so much for letting the world know what its like to be a breasfeeding mama 🙂

    Reply
    1. mummyinprovence Post author

      Thank you! You are welcome – it helps to be able to laugh at ourselves and also to feel that we are not alone!

      Reply
  18. Karen

    This list cracked me up! I’m glad I’m not the only one who has these experiences lol. If I’m at home I don’t wear a bra, which is great until I get visitors (couriers, salespeople etc) as I have E cup boobs they hang down to my knees ;), the other thing I have been known to do is readjust my breast pads in public, I don’t even notice I’m doing it until my hand is down my bra lol, thank goodness I’m past that stage now!

    Reply
    1. mummyinprovence Post author

      hahaha! Glad you found it funny! The things we do as breastfeeding mama’s!

      Reply
  19. Sharon

    This made me laugh soooo much! #2 … My son was asleep and still latched on, and I thought I’d be OK to answer the door to the postie, but unfortunately my son decided to wake at that mo, lean his head back and give the poor bloke a big milky smile and there was nothing I could do to cover my modesty! Can’t look postie in the eye now!!

    Reply
    1. mummyinprovence Post author

      Hahaha! I can only imagine what the postman has seen! That is so funny! Thank you for sharing and glad you enjoyed the post!

      Reply
  20. Nancy

    We play games with them. My nursing toddler plays peek-a-boob and I have no qualms about chasing my 4 year old around while squirting milk at him. He and my toddler will, in return, chase me while trying to squirt milk from themselves.

    Reply
    1. mummyinprovence Post author

      That is so cute! I can imagine the squeals of delight!

      Reply
  21. Shea

    I agree with all these! My daughter only nurses on one side so my other boob has returned to normal and is once again a play thing for my husband lol. And I am constantly checking my boobs. I go to college 2 days a week and when I’m in class, I’ll occasionally feel a let down of milk and not 5 minutes later, my sister or husband (whoever is watching the baby) will text me and say she’s super fussy and won’t stop crying. That kind of bond, that literally stretches miles is something I am so honored to experience.

    Reply
    1. mummyinprovence Post author

      It’s amazing how breastfeeding is a connection that stretches miles. Thanks so much for sharing.

      Reply
  22. Erin

    #4 is me!!
    I actually fold and organize my laundry according to “looks nice and is easy for breastfeeding”, “warm and breastfeeding appropriate”, “can’t breastfeed well in this”

    Reply
    1. mummyinprovence Post author

      I wonder if my wardrobe will ever return to “normal” whatever that is ! Right now it’s all about easy access … so glad I am not alone!

      Reply
  23. Rachael

    i agree with just about all of this except for the hands-off part. true, i was much more militant for the 1st baby. but when it comes down to it, the boobs were fantastic while nursing and now that the baby (the 2nd one) is weaned…i have just about no boobs. he would never admit it, but hubby liked them. and everybody notices em, that’s for sure. being able to nurse my kids til they weaned themselves is something i am very proud of. i have a pretty demanding job out of the home and it was awesome to be able to take special time out of the day to pump and think about the kids. i work for customs, so here i am in this police-looking uniform…from across the baggage floor i hear that teenie-new-baby-i-am-so-hungry-mom-cry and in comes the milk. and i am thinking “somebody PLEASE feed that baby!” there have been times when i was ready to go take the baby and feed it myself.

    Reply
    1. mummyinprovence Post author

      Thanks for your comment! Your kids are so very lucky to have you!
      I have to admit the number of times I have wanted to go and pick up a screaming hungry baby and feed them is probably more than I’d care to count. I thought I was the only person who felt like that!
      Thanks so much for sharing!

      Reply
  24. DoctorMommy

    I’ll bet my patients all think that I am struggling financially because I wear the same few shirts over and over again in my office because I often have to pump between patients and only have a few short minutes so I need to be able to pump quickly without having to lose the shirt. I’m just too cheap to go buy all new shirts… guess since I plan on nursing and/or pumping until she’s two, I should go ahead and invest in some more shirts… she’s only 10 months! LOL
    One great thing (for me) is that I have NEVER leaked! I don’t know why, but I have NEVER needed nursing pads. But feeding and pumping has been excruciatingly painful most of the time so I guess that makes up for the convenience of not needing pads! 😛
    The hubs hates the fact that boobs are off-limits. I assure him that it won’t always be like that, but for now, they belong to the kid.

    Reply
    1. mummyinprovence Post author

      Thanks for sharing – I have 5 tops in total – I guess I should go buy some more too!
      Your baby is very lucky to have you as their mummy … breastfeeding, is for some (me included) NOT easy and sometimes excruciatingly painful.
      Good job mama!

      Reply
  25. Staci

    This is so funny! I never thought about the checking though until I read this! And I’ve nursed 4 babies until they weaned themselves! HA! I was always checking for my pads, through the shirt, which probably looked like I was groping myself and I hadn’t any clue. How mortifying. I can’t say as though my inhibitions have gone out the window, when I’m conscious I’m still modest, but I’d say these more qualify as extreme focus on the breastfeeding.

    I will try to say in the most discreet way possible, a hubby can be a wonderful blessing for a sore breast, if he’s not scared off by the hormonal basket case.

    Reply
    1. mummyinprovence Post author

      Glad you found it funny!

      Funny how breastfeeding causes us to turn off our self-monitoring skills and temporarily lose all sense of what we’d usually do in public!

      Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
  26. Barbara

    In order to keep my clothing dry during nursing I often stuffed ‘the other side’ with a cloth. And forgot all about it, having to take it out when visiting or anywhere else i noticed it.
    Or nursingpads that end up on mother in law’s sofa, or floor. I was ever so happy when the leaking stopped!

    Reply
    1. mummyinprovence Post author

      Hahaha! Yes, the nursing pads! I was so happy when the leaking stopped! I found them everywhere too! I would often tuck the pad into the other side as well and then search for it because I’d forgotten where it was – until I came to feed on that side and then it would fall out!

      Reply
  27. Jess

    I had to put in some breast pads in public the other day, I was late for a baby group and didn’t have time to stop!

    Reply
    1. mummyinprovence Post author

      I used to tuck my breast pad into the strap of the side I wasn’t feeding on, then I’d forget where I put it, stick a new one in carry on. A few hours later I’d unclip the other side and out would fall my “lost” breast pad … amazing how this rarely happened at home – was usually in a cafe or at someone’s house!

      Isn’t motherhood glam?

      Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
  28. Bibsey Mama

    Ha ha. Feeling your breasts in public… and in front of your father-in-law… anyone really.

    Reply
  29. mother of 4

    I once bf in the grocery store while shopping and forgot all about the open shirt… I was wondering why people were looking at me until one of the other kids told me: “mommy, aren’t you cold? Your shirt is open!” Couldn’t stop laughing for hours…

    Reply

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