Happy National Breastfeeding Month! A little late, not that it matters too much. Here's a little collage of my breastfeeding timeline. I know, you really don't care to see my boobies especially when I'm feeding my child, but I have since gained more knowledge & support through other like-minded mommas & frankly, I really don't care much anymore how it makes OTHER people feel when all I'm doing is feeding my baby. It's really nothing to it. If it makes people uncomfortable, then either they're staring too much or they have issues with themselves. Why should I have to "cover up" & hide my child for other people's comfort &/or convenience. If it bothers you, DON'T LOOK, simple as that. Breastfeeding is beautiful. I don't see it as anything more than a mother bonding with & nourishing her baby, something that NO ONE else can provide. I have exclusively breastfed all 3 of my babies starting with my son, Isaiah (2006) pictured at 1 day old. I wish I had taken more pics of us, of me breastfeeding him, but he was always ' covered up'. He never had a problem latching on, no complications, except when it came time to wean him at 15 months b/c I was pregnant with his sister, Audrey, pictured in the middle at 2 days old (2008). I took a few more pictures breastfeeding her than I did with Isaiah, but was still very conscious & reserved, so I used a small blankie. Baby girl had Mommy's milk for a good 7 months before she decided to wean herself off and it was the saddest day for me. My next & now last little babe, Saige (2013), who has a flair for flipping the bird, is a complete monster, who wants nothing to do with covers, blankets or anything obstructing her view of her milk source, which is fine by me, now that I've learned to let go of some of my insecurities about nursing in public, & I mean, WITHOUT a cover. The beginning was rough this time around which I did not have with the other two. My milk came in later than I had expected & with it came the worst pains, from latching on & positioning, like pins and needles that I never thought I could endure, but I pushed through those sleepless days/nights & with a LOT of help & support from Cyrus, we got through. And we are still going strong today, hopefully until her 1st birthday & maybe even longer. I can't tell you enough how much this has helped me & how much it has benefited us, not only the kids, but our budget. It's all-natural, wholesome, & did I mention that it's free??! It's saved us practically $$$ on top of other baby necessties". It has been the most challenging, most stressful thing I have done besides being a mom in general, but it has also been THE most rewarding. I said it before & I'll say it again, I am PROUD to be a part of a community & movement such as this.
To all the breastfeeding mommas, More. POWER. To. You. Seriously. And to all supportive fathers, keep encouraging & supporting, you are doing a wonderful thing for you & your family. I promise, it's worth it!
