Actress Gwyneth Paltrow is one of a handfull of Hollywood big timers who lives a holistic lifestyle and understands the importance of breastfeeding for moms and babies. So, at first I was put off that she reportedly blames breastfeeding for “changing her shape for the worse”, and plans to have a “boob job” which she considers “reconstructive surgery”.
I tilt toward persuading everyone that breastfeeding is best, and that there are no drawbacks whatsoever. (Ok, I might even glaze over some of the challenges — notice the choice of the word, I didn’t say ‘problems’ ). My knee-jerk reaction was “Shh, Gwyneth! Don’t say that. Some moms won’t breastfeed if they believe your experience is universal.” Which, of course, it’s not! Breastfeeding doesn’t often cause a drastic change in the shape of the breast any more than aging does.
But, there is another way to look at it — Hoorah for Gwyneth Paltrow. She breastfed a baby for longer than most, even though it was changing her look. She was willing to give the baby the best possible nutrition, even tho! And, who knows. Maybe knowing that ‘reconstructive surgery’ was a possibility kept her going. Maybe knowing that breast augmentation is available might help other moms make the choice to breastfeed, too. I hope so.
It makes me sad she It makes me sad she specifically said it was due to breastfeeding and not pregnancy. After weaning is when women see their post pregnancy breasts for the first time and some see quite a change. Odds are good they would have seen the same changes after their pregnancy even if they opted not to breast feed.
Not sure how long after weaning she made this decision either. For some women improvements to the breast happen naturally up to six months out as they fill back in.
If she isn’t finished having babies I guess she plans to have the”reconstructive surgery” after each baby.
Here’s an interesting article that basically says we contribute to our own drooping breasts by wearing bras.
http://www.007b.com/bra_sagging.php