The Baroness takes on La Leche League

[CaveMum]

Yet another fantastic letter from Baroness Nicholson to La Leche League re their stance on “chest feeding”.

twitter.com/baroness_nichol/status/1334210792468717573?s=21

Absolutely. It's the opposite of sexy. Which is why I think we have such a visceral reaction to a man being turned on by it.

@Winesalot

but also just almost an off-switch, anti-erotic.

Yes. Same here.

Same. Bf-ing a two year old. Boobs are completely non-sexual now. Hoping it comes back at some point, but I don't see it happening for a good year or so after finishing with breastfeeding.

Agree, plus the idea that a male breastfeeding a baby for sexual thrills could be inadvertently supported by an organisation like LLL is mind boggling. They need to wake up and get a grip on their policy.

@Winesalot

In fact, like many women, touching my breasts was a total turn off for years after having the kids.

Same Treestumps. I have not recovered 15 years on. It was only last year after reading MN that I realised it was not rare. Touched out I think?

28 yrs on from breast feeding my last child. Still can't let even my husband touch my breasts, especially my nipples, total turn off.

TMI but my left nipple split when I was BF my first and that was part of the reason I kept ending up in mastitis induced fevers. So hot. Literally.

InTheShadowOfTheMushroomCloud

I expect I will not change either. It is not something that anyone ever discussed with me in person. I only discovered it reading MN. It was a light bulb moment for me.

HecatesCatsInXmasHats

I had lots of mastitis. I was lucky to not have split nipples. But certainly chafed and raw.

@Winesalot

InTheShadowOfTheMushroomCloud

I expect I will not change either. It is not something that anyone ever discussed with me in person. I only discovered it reading MN. It was a light bulb moment for me.

Tbh I thought I was the only woman who had this.....until now!

Tbh I thought I was the only woman who had this.....until now!

I have heard women mention it can extend to the genital area too.

Thanks Wines. It was pretty awful. Feels like it's well behind me, but these things leave their mark don't they.

I found breastfeeding difficult and painful at first, and then pleasant enough, calming and relaxing - and enjoyed having my breasts touched more after having and feeding children than before. But I suppose that just shows that each woman is different.

Men, however cannot and should not attempt to breastfeed. They are not in any way designed to do so and it isn’t in the baby’s interests.

@Winesalot

Tbh I thought I was the only woman who had this.....until now!

I have heard women mention it can extend to the genital area too.

wow. Ditto, can't bear my breasts being touched now.

It's a thing then. I also had no idea.

Yep dinglethedragon. It is indeed. And I felt very shamed and isolated until I read it here on a thread earlier this year or late last year. I remember feeling very emotional when I told my husband that I was not alone in feeling that way.

wow. Ditto, can't bear my breasts being touched now.

For me, enjoying it came back after 3 years with my first DS1'd dropped to morning feed and snuggles only - my milk supply was really depleted when I was on my period, which lead to soreness, which lead to feeds naturally reducing, and that's when it started that I didn't mind them being touched.. and that's also when DS2 happened [face palm emoji!]. After DS2 enjoyment came back quicker, but then he gave up feeding before he was 1 (one taste of real food, and he just wasn't interested - total opposite of DS1) - so my assumption was that it was related to some kind of BFing hormone level.

Me too in respect of touching my breasts being a total turnoff.

10 years breastfeeding (more than one child) and they are now a no go zone. Unfortunately my husband doesn't get this! Its awful.

It’s not just the breast feeding, my daughter used to stick her hand down my top when she needed comfort- this went on much longer than breastfeeding. It was a long time before I felt they belonged to me again. And I didn’t want to be touched because I was forever being grabbed at by a child. I needed a break from so much physical stuff.

I told my DH that I was not the only one who felt like I do about touching my breasts. He understands but he also said it made him sad for me (and him) as apparently I have beautiful boobs.
He can look but not touch then..