Aug
Boob Man
My two year old is a lover of the breast. Not only does he love to nurse, he tries to get anyone that has breasts to make them available. When he sees another child nursing he will assume that he should have access to the other breast. My friend Julie has nursed him since he was a baby as I have nursed her child but my toddler has developed quite a love affair with the boob.
Last week, when he tried to get at his occupational therapist’s breasts, I started to wonder. Mulling over his obsession I tried to look at it from his point of view. For him the breast is the giver of life. He did not eat solids until he was two years old, so he relied on breastmilk for nourishment as well as comfort. Now that he is able to eat some solids he still clings to the breast. Slowly the times between nursing sessions are lengthening. (Thanks be to God, all the Angels, Saints etc!!)
I remember the panic in his eyes the first time I said no to his request to nurse. It was then that I realized how important his relationship to my breast must feel to him. Mommy milk equals life.
When I shared this insight with the husband he raised an eyebrow at me and with a little chuckle said, “Judith, look around you!”
Throwing him a confused look I let my eyes wonder around the room. On my easel was a large painting of a breastfeeding mother. Hanging on the wall was a large encaustic painting of the nude female body. My desk was covered with prints of nude pregnant mamas. Okay, so I love breasts too!
I grew up viewing the breast as a functional part of the female anatomy. My mother not only nursed us but also other village children. My sister expressed the wish to have very big breasts when she grew up so she could nurse her pets like the Fayu village women did.
Mother milk is not only good for children but puppy dogs, baby pigs etc. I wonder if I would get arrested if I nursed our baby kitten. What would I be charged with, sexually abusing an animal? Ok so I don’t nurse the baby kitten but I do find the thought amusing.
This entry was posted on Sunday, August 12th, 2007 at 7:16 pm by Judith
Author's Biography: Though born in Germany to German parents, Judith Kuegler Webster grew up among tribal communities in Nepal and Indonesia. Her interest in creating art began at a very early age and to this day her art reflects her life in the jungle. After completing two A levels in Cardiff, Wales, Judith moved to Hamburg, Germany to begin art college. In 1994 she moved to the USA to continue her studies in art and psychology. She now lives in North Carolina with her husband and two sons.
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