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Thursday, October 20, 2005
Healthy babies beat beautiful breasts
Is post-partum boob depression inevitable? Was it breastfeeding or just pregnancy that made us flat or floppy?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Long ago, before I had two beautiful children, I had two beautiful breasts. They were perfect 36Cs- not too big, not too small and oh so perky. Girlfriends were envious of them and boys were always checking them out. One of my editors at the college newspaper would assign stories to them - he never looked me in the eye, he always talked to my chest.
In a quest to make my children healthier than I am, I was determined to nurse both babies at least 12 months. I ended up nursing each 18 months. Are my children healthier for it? I think so. Are my breasts saggier because of it? I know so.
I have topped out at a wacky size of 34E (More on supportive, ugly bras in crazy sizes in a later column), and I swear when I’m slouched over driving, my boobs drag across the top of my stomach. This is not a good thing.
When buying lingerie for an anniversary trip last spring, the lady at Victoria’s Secret advised, “From now on, you’ll need to wear a bra under sexy nightgowns to give you the proper support.â€? I passed this information along to the ladies in my playgroup during a recent mom’s night out. They were all like “Aha.â€? Light bulbs went on over our heads because we figured out how to keep our boobs in the proper place during sex. (Husbands take note: You must leave the bras on for this plan to work!)
Breast feeding was not en vogue in the early ’70s when I was born. The nurses at Piedmont Hospital told my mother that she didn’t have the right kind of nipples to nurse me and completely discouraged her from even trying.
Now I’m not a doctor, and I can’t prove that I constantly develop strep throat because I didn’t get breast milk, but I didn’t want to take any chances with my kids.
Ironically, one of the nurses at Piedmont Hospital has been my greatest nursing supporter. Julie Duncan, lactation consultant and perinatal educator for the hospital, has stuck with me through four years and two pregnancies. She helped me establish my milk supply, treat breast infections and taught me how to wean my toddlers.
Nursing is just one of the many choices Moms make for their children. We want our kids to be smarter, healthier, more confident and happier than we were as they grow. And we are willing to make any sacrifice, including our perky boobs, to make that happen.
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Meet Theresa
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Theresa Walsh Giarrusso is the mother of three children. Her daughter, Rose, was born in April 2001, her son, Walsh, joined them in May 2003, and their new baby girl, Lilina came in March 2007.
Theresa is a fourth-generation Georgian, who grew up in Gwinnett County, where she lives today with her family. She graduated from Parkview High School and attended the University of Georgia. She met her husband, Michael, while working at the campus newspaper, The Red and Black. For a brief time Michael was her boss at the paper. It didn’t go well and ended with a dictionary (unabridged) being thrown at his head.
Still, they married in 1994 when Theresa graduated from college. For four years they were journalism gypsies, living first in rural State College, Pa., and then in Manhattan.
Much to her parents’ delight, the couple returned to Atlanta in 1998. Michael continued his career with The Associated Press, and Theresa joined The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. During her three-year stint, she was the News for Kids editor and also edited the Saturday Living section. “I loved explaining current events to the kids and why they should care about what’s happening in their world. I also loved visiting schools all around the city.”
Theresa left the newspaper in 2001 but continues to freelance write and edit for the AJC from her kitchen table. After four years of being peed on, snotted on and loved on, she wanted to share her family’s exploits, and let Moms across Atlanta know they are not alone.
“It’s a tough gig. My husband is at work at least 11 hours a day and travels a lot. I am in no way the perfect mom. I hope the column and blog will make moms laugh and give us a chance to discuss ways to make our families healthier and our lives easier. For any non-moms reading, feel free just to laugh.”
Contact Theresa at ajcmomania@gmail.com
Permalink | | Categories: What kind of Mom are you?
