Boobs are magical. They have the power to captivate and mesmerize, to bring joy and pleasure, and to nourish and nurture. From an early age, we learn to associate breasts with comfort and love, as they provide us with warmth and sustenance in our earliest moments of life. As we grow older, breasts take on a new significance. They become objects of desire and beauty, symbols of femininity and sexuality. Boobs have the ability to turn heads and elicit attention, their shape and size often celebrated and admired.
Boobs have the ability to turn heads and elicit attention, their shape and size often celebrated and admired. But beyond their aesthetic appeal, boobs also serve a crucial biological function. They produce milk, a vital source of nutrition for newborns.
My Magical Breast: Where No Breast Had Gone Before
My body is not like most. The internet tells me my odd deformity will not shorten my lifespan, but it makes me different. It affected my breastfeeding experience, but what was truly unexpected was the way breastfeeding affected my most peculiar body.
Why should you care? And why should I reveal now my unusual quirks in such a public way? While this account may be too much information for some, my story may give hope to women struggling with milk production. So here goes.
My Peculiar Body
I appeared normal at birth. My mother told me she first noticed my defect when I was about 3 years old. My breastbone, or sternum, began to indent, creating a cavity in the middle of my chest. My mother said she couldn’t find anyone on either side of our family who had this or knew of anyone else who did. Our doctor told her not to worry.
When puberty hit, I noticed breast buds growing in my left breast but not in my right. As my teen years passed, my left breast developed normally but my right side stayed completely flat.
At age 21, my parents offered to pay for cosmetic surgery, and I decided to do it. By this time, my sternum was deeply indented and my heart was pushed to one side. (Let’s hope I never need CPR!) The plastic surgeon inserted a silicone breast implant through an incision below where my right breast should have been, and he positioned the implant sideways, so that I now had a right breast and my chest indentation was filled in. I didn’t look 100% normal—my chest was still a little sunken below my collarbone—but it was better, and I didn’t feel nearly as self-conscious.
From age 29 to 35, I gave birth to my 3 boys, and I spent a total of 12 years breastfeeding them, nursing on both sides. When I was 5 months pregnant with my first, I learned at my first La Leche League meeting that women could exclusively breastfeed twins and triplets, so I deduced correctly that one working breast was all I needed.
I loved breastfeeding and became a La Leche League leader so that I could help others meet their goals. I also served as a resource for La Leche League International for those with questions about nursing with breast implants. When controversy erupted, I even appeared on CNN to weigh in on whether breastfeeding with implants could cause later health problems in children. (Time and science found that it didn’t.)
A Stunning Discovery
In my 50s, during a routine mammogram, I received shocking news. As the technician took picture after picture, I finally said, “You do know that I have a breast implant, don’t you?” She said yes and added, “But I can’t find it.”
Eventually she found my implant on images taken in my cleavage area. She told me my implant’s location had shifted. By this time, my sternum had become so deeply indented that it nearly reached my spine. (Yes, that grosses me out, too.) Over the years, as the indentation deepened, my breast implant fully migrated into the middle of my chest. Yet even without any implant remaining in my right breast, it now appeared to be fully developed.
I was stunned to realize that my formerly “bionic” right breast was now a real breast.
How did this happen? Science tells us that a woman’s milk-making glands grow and develop during pregnancy, and after birth this milk-making tissue continues to grow (study HERE). We also know that with breast stimulation, women who have never been pregnant can grow functioning breast tissue and produce milk for adopted babies (article HERE). I was aware of all of this when my mammogram tech gave me the news, and I knew immediately that my 12 years of nursing had gradually grown a real right breast where none had grown before.
Using My Story to Help Others
How can my strange story help others? Some women plan to breastfeed only to learn that their breasts didn’t develop normally. Called “breast hypoplasia” or” insufficient glandular tissue,” in this situation, there are not enough milk-making glands to produce 100% of the milk a baby needs. (See a wonderful book about this HERE.) This might also happen in a woman with a history of breast reduction surgery (see a another wonderful book HERE) or a transgender man who has had top surgery to remove breast tissue and later delivers a baby.
It can be devastating when someone highly motivated to exclusively breastfeed cannot. Breastfeeding is a part of our sexuality, and when a woman discovers she can’t do what others seem to do so naturally, it is a genuine loss—like infertility—that deserves to be acknowledged and mourned. In my private lactation practice, I sometimes sat and grieved with a mother who had to face this heartbreak.
Part of my job in that situation was also to discuss her remaining options. Most assume that giving up on breastfeeding is the only choice, but that is not actually true. Today, when I meet women who are struggling with low milk production, I always share my story. My long-term perspective gives them a glimpse not only of their options today, but how their choices now may affect their breastfeeding future.
Breastfeeding Options
I loved breastfeeding and became a La Leche League leader so that I could help others meet their goals. I also served as a resource for La Leche League International for those with questions about nursing with breast implants. When controversy erupted, I even appeared on CNN to weigh in on whether breastfeeding with implants could cause later health problems in children. (Time and science found that it didn’t.)
Breastfeeding creates a unique bond between mother and child, ensuring the baby's growth and well-being. Furthermore, breasts are not limited to a single gender. While typically associated with women, men can also have breast tissue and experience breast-related issues. This serves as a reminder that the magic of boobs transcends societal norms and expectations, reminding us of the diversity of human bodies and experiences. However, it is important to remember that the magic of boobs extends beyond their physical appearance. Society often places undue pressure on individuals to conform to certain beauty standards, leading to body image issues and dissatisfaction. Encouraging body positivity and embracing all shapes and sizes of breasts is crucial in celebrating their magic. In conclusion, boobs truly are magical. They possess the power to enchant and inspire, to nourish and connect. Whether small or large, natural or augmented, all breasts hold a unique beauty and serve an extraordinary purpose. Let us appreciate and honor this magic, while also promoting body positivity and self-acceptance for all..
Reviews for "Beauty From Within: Boosting Boob Magic Through Nutrition"
- John - 2 stars - While I appreciate the author's attempt to shed light on the various aspects of boobs, I found this book to be nothing more than a shallow tribute to objectifying women. The writing lacked depth and critical analysis, and it failed to take into account the diverse experiences and perspectives of women. Additionally, the constant focus on the sexual nature of boobs overshadowed other important discussions that could have been addressed in a more meaningful way. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and would not recommend it.
- Sarah - 1 star - "Boobs are magical" was a complete waste of my time. I expected a nuanced exploration of the subject matter, but instead, I was subjected to a juvenile and simplistic portrayal of the female body. The author's writing lacked any substantial depth or insight, and it felt like a missed opportunity to have an intelligent conversation about a topic that affects so many women. I found this book to be highly uninformative and downright offensive, as it perpetuated harmful stereotypes rather than challenging them.
- Michael - 2 stars - This book failed to meet my expectations. While I understand that it aims to celebrate the beauty and diversity of boobs, I found the content to be lacking in substance. The author's approach was overly simplistic and failed to delve into the complex realities and experiences of women. Moreover, the repetitive nature of the book made it monotonous, and I was left wanting more in terms of analysis and discussion. Overall, I cannot recommend this book as it failed to deliver on its promises.