08/17/2023
As a mother who breastfed both of my babies, I immediately jumped on the chance to photograph this nursing event for national breastfeeding week! All of the mommas in these pictures have put in countless hours breastfeeding or pumping for their babies. It may not seem like a lot to someone who hasn’t done it, but it’s a lot sometimes. I haven’t met a single nursing mom yet that says it was easy.
There is a social stigma around breastfeeding and visibility like this is exactly what we as a society need to break the stigma. Mothers should be allowed (and legally ARE) to feed their babies however mom and baby are comfortable, and whenever needed.
As a breastfeeding mom, I experienced criticism countless times, sometimes from my own family, for not using a cover or going to another room. They didn’t care that my babies got hot under the cover or that it wasn’t always easy to step away and find privacy. Not that I gave a f*** though 😂 I fed them how and when I needed, but not all moms are able to do that because of social stigmas and judgements.
It would be so beautiful if everyone as a collective saw the beauty and self less act that is parenting and breastfeeding. I hope by taking these pictures and sharing them on social media will help break that stigma that mothers should have to cover or be ashamed for not covering. They are not trying to offend you. They are not trying to seduce someone’s husband or traumatize their sons. They simply are feeding their baby. I’ve always said, if that makes someone uncomfortable or irate… they should ask themselves why a mother feeding her child the way nature intended offends them so.
Just some food for thought.
I know it’s late, but happy breastfeeding week to all of you beautiful mommas💜
