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Celebrating the Beauty of Breastfeeding in Pictures

Last year, I asked a photographer friend of mine to take some photos of my son and I, who was still breastfeeding to celebrate a year of breastfeeding and also to follow up after having a picture of my pregnancy with that same son entered into an  art exhibit by an artist friend who had painted a portrait of me after giving her a picture my husband had taken. I find in this society the beauty of how the woman's body was created to grow a child, give birth, and nurture and nourish the baby is vastly underplayed. I wanted to capture that beauty and celebrate it.

This year, to celebrate World Breastfeeding Week from August 1-7, I contacted that same photographer who agreed to do another shoot for me, with the same son and my infant. My son Kendrick is tandem nursing, meaning nursing at the same time as or together with his baby brother. I never knew about tandem nursing before seeing it on Instagram and reading about it on Facebook breastfeeding support group forums. So I will be sharing many of my favorite shots from my recent nursing shoot. May we celebrate what nursing looks like in daily life and celebrate it's beauty.



Mother is grateful to see both her babies reaping benefits from her breastmilk.Benefits don't stop once a baby reaches one year old. The World Health Organization suggest nursing for at least two years, and continuing after the addition of foods in the first year.









Grateful and joyful




One of my favorites!



Gazing at his mother with trust and appreciation


Baby sometimes take a break from the breast and looks around
Very sweet eye contact between mother and baby



Mother still cares for self

 Taking time for you will be frustrating at times, as you must stop often to comfort baby. Take heart. This time will pass.



Nursing in front of church

Nursing is a sacred and joyful practice

Breastfeeding is a gift of love

Even after unlatched, Mother may not be done nursing altogether. 
She may still need the warmth of her breasts to be ready to comfort her baby. This is why it is so convenient to be topless in other cultures.
When the pic was being taken, I did not notice my breast was almost bared when baby was unlatched. However, I did not mind because I planned to use it yet again pretty soon. I wasn't ashamed of my near nakedness. I wasn't even aware.
Shooting in the sun was very hot, so hats were a must!
When will this type of image be common editorial material?
This used to be normal; it should be reinstated as such.
Looks of love
Celebrate your nursing journey, no matter how it starts or ends. If you tried and quit, or if you're still going, you experienced the blessed gift of being one with your baby.

Mother is grateful to be able to provide for her baby











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