I'm Comin' Out- World Breastfeeding Week

Tweet I have been thinking about "The Breastfeeding Post" for a while now. I knew it had to come, sooner or later. I've been hesitant- breastfeeding isn't something I discuss much. I don't like being judged by the Judgey McJudgersons out there, and I don't like receiving hate mail either (from this ill-fated post). So I've decided to just be quiet about my milk-making. Enjoy it and not talk about it, so I don't have people trying to send me on Dr. Phil for it. I hate Dr. Phil, by the way. But that's beside the point. (Although worth mentioning, I feel.)

I am Not Blessed Mama, and I have been proudly making milk for the last ten years.


Yup, you read that right- ten damn years. It all started with Spawn#1 back in April 2001. He was a great nurser- I feel so lucky to have had him give me a good start. And then I just kept going and going, like a lactating Energizer bunny. I've nursed through two pregnancies and tandem nursed after each of them. I've nursed in virtually every conceivable position and situation. On a train, on a plane, on a boat, on a goat. Well, not really on a goat- but you get it.

All of my kids have been 4 years old when they've stopped nursing. Yup, you read that right as well- over 4 years old. Sadly, my kids nursing careers didn't come with an expiration date, so we just quit when we were done. I know a lot of society doesn't get it, and they judge. And I hate those Judgey McJudgersons more than even Dr. Phil. Because something so beautiful, natural, wonderful and kick ass should not be judged. All mothers make the best choices for their own kids, and should never be judged because of it. Just as I would never judge a mother for formula feeding, I expect the same respect.

I'm coming to the end of my nursing career. Spawn#3 is nearing 4 and a half, and that's quittin' time for me. Sometimes I wonder what my life will be like when the milk is gone- how can I possibly be the same person? Heaven knows these old girls need a rest, but still. It's hard to imagine. Breastfeeding has been such an important part of our lives, it's gonna be hard to see it go.

In honor of World Breastfeeding Week, I would like to send my love out to all the breastfeeding moms out there.You are beautiful, awesome, wonderful women doing the best that you can for your babes. You deserve recognition! I wish I could give you something (Look under your chair! You get a car! And you get a car! Just kidding, you probably only have dustbunnies)- but all I can offer is my admiration, respect and support. Whether you nursed for 2 years, 2 months or 2 minutes, I salute you.

Pic courtesy of Dr Momma

It's Not the Law to Wear a Bra

Tweet  If you know Not Blessed Mama, you know that she hates bras. Bras suck. They are instruments of torture. So here are the top 10 reasons Not Blessed Mama recommends you do not wear a bra:
1. As mentioned above, it's not the law to wear a bra. Can someone make this into a bumper sticker?
2. You are not 15 anymore- no reason to force your breasts back up to where they were 15 years ago. They'll thank you for it.
3. Nursing bras are a pain in the butt. I'm estimating you could save about an hour of crying over the span of a year if you simply didn't wear a bra. Your nursing babe will thank you, and think about her improved disposition!
4. Underwire. Enough said.
5. It's hot right now in sunny California. Hot enough to fry eggs on the sidewalk, I'm sure. Any extraneous articles of clothing should be immediately shed.
6. Some feminists see the brassiere as a symbol of repression. I'd like to add stilettos to that category. And thongs, bikini waxes and pantyhose.
7. Lingerie is a billion dollar industry. Don't you have better things to spend your money on?
8. Amy Winehouse is seen out regularly in only a bra, and look what happened to that poor girl.
9. When was the last time you saw a man wearing a bra? Nipple equality, baby. We should have just as much a right to show ours.
10. With all of those discarded bras, we could make a purse for every woman in all of the third world countries on our planet.