It’s World Breastfeeding Week August 1-7. Back in June, I posted about a personal project I was undertaking. This project involved photographing babies doing what babies love to do – gaining comfort and nourishment straight from their mothers. Even as a young, 21 year old, first time mom, I knew I wanted to breast feed my babies. I never wrestled with the decision. I just knew intuitively, and without question, it’s what I would do. It never occurred to me that it could be difficult and that women often have struggles with breast feeding. And I remained blissfully unaware of this, even after my daughter was born. Despite being a tiny little 5 lb. 8 oz. little peanut, she latched easily and beautifully. I never experienced a single second of pain or discomfort. My breast feeding philosophy has changed over the 18 years since I first breast fed a newborn. Over these years, I have learned how important it really is, and how there really aren’t that many rules. You don’t have to wean by a certain time. Babies don’t really need anything else for at least 6 months. Bottles are really a disaster and I hate them. Not that we didn’t use them. We did. I worked and Daddy had to have a way to get that breast milk I had painstakingly saved for when I was away, into our babies. But this is how I know I hate them. They are a pain to clean and keep up. Straight from the breast is so much easier.
As an RN working with laboring women and brand new moms and babies, I did learn that it’s just not as easy for lots of other moms as it had always been for me. I learned how to help moms and get stubborn babies to latch on. I learned the special circumstances that come with special needs babies, like premature born and those with development issues that affect breast feeding, like cleft lip/palette or Down Syndrome. I learned that anyone who says they are going to “try” to breast feed will not likely last more than 2 weeks. Breast feeding success is as much, if not more, based on the mental attitude going in, as it is on the physiology of the matter. I learned the next biggest factor in success, is support for the mom, from Dad, her parents, hospital staff, the pediatrician. I also learned that as much as some women may truly want to breast feed, some simply can not. I learned to not jump to conclusions about any woman I saw bottle feeding a baby in the mall, even though I could tell the difference in the contents of the bottle between expressed breast milk and formula. She could be completely devastated that she’s even having to give that bottle and my judgement may do nothing less than send her into tears of regret. On the flip side, I learned to give positive reinforcement to any mom who is breast feeding in public because they often receive negative comments and reactions and need encouragement to keep doing what they feel is right for them and their baby.
Phew! Hard to believe, but that just scratches the surface of all I have learned about and through breast feeding. But all that I’ve posted and the tons more that I have not, lead me to this project. I had so many beautiful volunteers for this and it just touches me that so many are so willing to share something so special so publicly. In October, my first breast feeding images calendar will be available for sale. These will retail for $20. A portion of ever sale will be donated to support Baby Friendly hospitals locally. I believe getting these babies off to a good start goes a long way in a successful nursing relationship and that start happens in the hospitals where babies are born. If you are a retailer who would like to pre-order a bulk amount of calendars to sell in your location, please contact me for details.
Now, here is where I need your help. I want you to choose the cover image for the calendar. Please click the link below to take you to the page where the images are located. Pick your top three and scroll to the bottom and cast your vote! The winner will be featured on the cover of the calendar and will also receive a surprise gift from me! You can only vote once, but you can certainly rally all your friends and family to help make your favorite image the winner. After you vote, leave me a comment telling me you voted and you will be entered into a drawing for a free calendar and a complimentary mini session collection!
Go vote now!!
And just for fun, here is the first nursing picture I remember having had taken of myself. This is 8 years ago, me nursing my twins.
by Stacey
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