For months, I’ve been mulling the idea of documenting one of the most empowering moments in a mother’s life. Her child’s birth!

Taking back my creative outlet…

When I moved back to live on Martha’s Vineyard, I had to find a way to make ends meet. I was lucky enough to have found a full time job in a place that I absolutely love. For the past three years, my main focus has been to grow in my professional career while keeping up with motherhood.

This new found lifestyle meant that as much as I wanted to continue on with Breastfeeding World, as dedicated as I was before, it was practically impossible. After our most recent Big Latch On event in Times Square this past August 4th, I realized that something needed to change… Me.

Breastfeeding World has allowed me to get to know many many families. Since its conception back in 2013 I’ve been able to photograph over 150 mothers/families from different countries, ethnicities and beliefs. The best part of it all is that I’ve been able to learn about their parenthood journeys.

You know that feeling of pure accomplishment, wonder, passion, pride and happiness? That is what photography has meant to me since the day I grabbed my first camera. For the past three years my photography business has been somewhat dormant, just “a hobby for when I had time”. That phase has now come to an end.

Join us in our new and exciting endeavor our Martha’s Vineyard Birth Story Model Calls

My desire to continue documenting your family’s milestones with creativity, care and love has taken over. It’s time to take back your birthing experience and we can document every part of it together!

I’ve decided to host a Martha’s Vineyard Birth Story Model Call. I’d like to offer island families a chance to document this special loving day. These photo sessions are discounted to allow Breastfeeding World to introduce its photography services on the island.

Standby Martha’s Vineyard Birth Story Model Call

Birth photography is story telling of the moments that lead up to your baby’s arrival and afterwards.  The moment when you summoned up the strength to keep going after you believed you had reached your limit.  The moment when your partner expressed love, care and appreciation for what you were enduring to deliver your baby. The moments when your support team stepped in.  And finally, the moment when your baby first arrived into the world. The expression on your face and on your partner’s face when you first laid eyes on your newest family member!

Standby birth photography means that I’m not on-call.  This means that although I will not clear my calendar as I would if I was “on-call” (where I would have no other events scheduled from week 38-42 of your pregnancy) I will have my phone on me and available to you within reason based of my previous commitments.

There is no commitment for you to sign a contract or pay the full session fee until you call to tell me that you are in labor and I arrive. You will receive copy of all the documents to be signed prior to your due date so you can read through it ahead of time.

You will notify me when you’re headed to the hospital or when you contact your mid-wife. If there are no major impediments I will be there within minutes to capture your labor and delivery.

The Standby Martha’s Vineyard Birth Story Model Call includes: 

• Planning consultations on the phone, via e-mail or in person to discuss your birth plan.
• I’ll be there for you and your family starting with your active labor up to 1.5 hrs after your delivery.
• A custom gallery that includes 40-80 edited digital images in B&W and/or color that you can download directly to your computer.
• Print release so you at print at your convenience.

The regular cost of our basic birth photography sessions begins at $1500 and I’m offering it for only $500. Because this is a model call, I’ve significantly reduced the cost by 65%+ savings!

A $150 booking fee is required to confirm your participation in the model call, the remaining amount will be accepted once we meet for your birth coverage to being.  APPLY NOW

Fresh 48 Sessions & Lifestyle Model Call

My favorite moments to capture are those full of strength, love, excitement, and raw emotion. I love capturing the sparkle in your eyes as you hold your baby close, the way your partner’s hands become gigantic with your small baby inside them. The first few weeks of a baby’s life are incredible and I want you to be able to remember those moments forever too.

The Fresh 48 Model Call includes:

• Planning consultations on the phone, via email or in person.
• A loose on-call schedule to capture you and your new family within 48 hours of birth.
• A 1 hour session at the place of birth to document your baby, you and your partner, your new family members meeting your new baby for the first time.
• A custom gallery that includes 10 edited photos that you can share and use for your birth announcements.

The Lifestyle Family Model Call Session includes:

• Planning consultations on the phone, via email or in person.
• An at home comfortable 1 hour session to document your family with your new addition. This includes time for feedings, we go at your own pace. These sessions would take place up to 15 days after your baby is born.
• A custom gallery that includes 10 edited photos that you can share and use.

The regular cost of our Fresh 48 & Lifestyle Family Sessions start at $450 but for the purpose of this model call I’m offering it for only $200. APPLY NOW

A signed contract and model release are required for any of these sessions. Images taken may be used in promotional material for our website and social media platforms. 

Want to know more about Breastfeeding World? How it all began? Make sure you follow our Instagram to see our work and like our Facebook Page to be up to date on everything Motherhood related!

Alexia Garcia

I’m a proud mom to a beautiful little girl who is the reason of all my smiles | Creator and founder of the Breastfeeding World Project – passionate about normalizing breastfeeding | Professional photographer serving New York City

The post A new endeavor: Birth Story Model Calls on Martha’s Vineyard appeared first on Breastfeeding World.

Lauren Lewis

Lauren Lewis is no stranger to childcare development, having spent over 10 years as a nanny or family childcare provider. She’s the wife of a travel geek, mother of two vivacious children, and has an amazing talent for trailing lost things behind her a la Hansel and Gretel. Her passion for lifting up women and advocating for children pours out in her work as a Central Indiana Event Coordinator, Writer, and Social Media Relations Director for Breastfeeding World. Her life is full of busy, crazy and LOUD. It is full of love and hope, ups and downs. And coffee, always lots of coffee- but she wouldn’t have it any other way.

www.raisinglaurenslittle.wordpress.com

The post Power in Imagery: Real Moms Breastfeeding on Instagram appeared first on Breastfeeding World.

Did you know, that when you were a baby, that I fed you in the bathroom?

It seemed so normal at the time. I thought I was being “respectful” of people eating in the restaurant, or shopping at Target. I wasn’t thinking about my immense respect for your tiny form.  Granted, I never sat in the stall. Instead, I awkwardly held you standing up (Even though we hadn’t quite mastered that skill yet), shirt cocked up, stomach exposed, swaying nervously, as I nursed you. I swayed to comfort you, but in reality, it was to soothe my own unease. Because for some godforsaken reason, even nursing in a disgusting public bathroom was still “nursing in public” to me, and I was afraid of what someone would say. Looking back, I was ashamed to feed you normally, out and about, around people. Ashamed of my huge, milk-laden breasts, afraid your friendly blue eyes would want to greet someone, flashing my nipple for all to see.

I’m so sorry.

I shouldn’t have felt ashamed to feed you in public. Instead, I’m ashamed I nursed you in the bathroom.

Now, my strong willed, brilliant princess, at almost 6 years old, you would look at me like I had two heads if I handed you an apple and shoved you in a public restroom to eat it. Sounds ludicrous, doesn’t it? So why did I think it was okay to nurse you in the bathroom then? How is it that mothers are so determined to raise brilliant, empowered women, yet still be afraid to feed their children in a way that is respectful… to their babies?

Read this: The Importance of Normalizing Breastfeeding by Lauren Lewis

Breastfeeding you was the first best thing I could do for your development

I’ll always be proud that I nourished you for the first 16 months of your life. Watching you grow, smile, coo, and learn at my breast created a bond like nothing else. Together, we struggled and overcame, all for your immune system, your gut, your social-emotional development. What I didn’t anticipate was how much it would change me as a mother.

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I didn’t anticipate that choosing to breastfeeding you, would help me find my own power as a woman and mother? That it would teach me to love and embrace my body, what it does, and what I choose to do with it. Those awful moments, breastfeeding, alone, standing awkwardly in a public bathroom, trying not to make eye contact with every woman who walked in- those moments taught me that not only were you better than that, but that I am, too.

Now I know better, and I promise I’ll teach you better, too

Love this article? Help us Spread the Breastfeeding Love, and Share!

You will grow up knowing your body is a temple, and to embrace it in all of its strong, capable glory. My wish for you is that you never feel ashamed to hide its beauty and capabilities in order to make society feel comfortable. May you continue to push boundaries, fight for what’s right… and never feel like you have to nurse your child in the bathroom.

Because really…. gross.

Be sure to join us in our social media accounts and be up to date with the progress of our project!

And… Don’t forget to share your brelfies using our hashtag

#BreastfeedingWorld

Lauren Lewis

Lauren Lewis is no stranger to childcare development, having spent over 10 years as a nanny or family childcare provider. She’s the wife of a travel geek, mother of two vivacious children, and has an amazing talent for trailing lost things behind her a la Hansel and Gretel. Her passion for lifting up women and advocating for children pours out in her work as a Central Indiana Event Coordinator, Writer, and Social Media Relations Director for Breastfeeding World. Her life is full of busy, crazy and LOUD. It is full of love and hope, ups and downs. And coffee, always lots of coffee- but she wouldn’t have it any other way.

www.raisinglaurenslittle.wordpress.com

The post “I fed my baby in the bathroom” appeared first on Breastfeeding World.

Normalizing breastfeeding is very important to me, but I was going about it the wrong way. Why did I decide to let my inner warrior go? I’d like to share my story with you.

I’ll admit, when it comes to dealing with life’s challenges, I have always been more of a furied fighter than a patient yogi. If I have a vision I go for it. Quickly.

But when my husband and I found out we were expecting our first child, the warrior in me relaxed. I took off my armour and settled into my safe place.

Even in the womb, I could feel how this baby was shifting my priorities.

I was shifting away from “not gonna let anyone stop me,” and towards, “appreciate this moment before it’s gone.”

It’s amazing how new life creates new ways of looking at life.

Then the baby arrived.

And I was caught totally off guard by a battle I never expected. My sword and shield were packed away in a closet so when the first shot flew at me I was shocked.

“Your baby won’t get enough nourishment if you breastfeed like that.”

Huh?

I slowly lifted my head up from my newfound mindfulness.

“It’s really unsafe to sleep with your baby.”

What? Another one?

“If you breastfeed too much your baby will be spoiled.”

Yikes. This was really happening.

Then, on the news, “Woman accused of indecent exposure for breastfeeding her baby in public.”

That’s it.

Forget mindfulness.

The warrior in me was back.

Every time I went out with my baby, my eyes darted around like a cat sensing danger, ready to retaliate if necessary.

On an airplane, I saw a woman nursing with a cover. I wondered why. Who would say something if she took it off? I was ready to defend her. And breastfeeding.

I learned about the other warrior mothers out there, just trying to raise and feed their babies the way they choose. Court cases, pumping laws, talk show hosts who tell their viewers to “be discrete.”

“Breastfeed Wherever You Want.” The ad for a Latch On that was held in Rome this past May.

I learned that this battle is so big that women need to join forces in Latch Ons around the globe, just to get the message out there that this. is. normal.

To learn about Breastfeeding World’s Big Latch Ons that will take place on August 4th and 5th, 2017, visit our home page.

I live in Italy and I can tell you that the struggle is real here, too. The ad for a Latch On in Rome shows a breastfeeding mother with the ultimate warrior look.  And here’s a video of a Latch On in Bologna.

Like all these mothers I was reading about and getting to know at La Leche League meetings, I was on a mission. The mission was to normalize breastfeeding. To educate. To defend my choices in motherhood.

I memorized my breastfeeding rights in case anyone challenged me.

I didn’t buy a nursing cover.

The pediatrician told me that my child was “too dependent” on me and I flipped out.

Back off, people!

So I started firing back. I was waving my sword around like a mad woman.

I preached the benefits of breastfeeding to whomever would listen (especially pregnant women). And I was ready to attack whoever challenged the bond, the antibodies, the right to feed my baby the way I wanted to.

I had to win. Yet, I was so confused as to why this was even an issue.

 

 

 

And then.

It was quiet.

 

 

In part because I ran out of ammunition. In part because I realized that I was firing randomly and “the enemy” was actually not on the battlefield.

I thought that there were a bunch of people out to get me. Out to change me.

But really there was just an absence of knowledge and experience.

In so many families, breastfeeding is not normal. Many pediatricians are not trained in the physiology of breastfeeding.

But no one is out to get me, really. A lot of people just don’t know. They don’t know what a gift this is.

They don’t know that giving my milk to my babies, like pregnancy and giving birth, is like pure magic.

I put down my sword and shield.

And I picked up my baby.

I unfurrowed my brow.

And shifted my focus.

There is no war. Only ignorance. I can’t fight ignorance.

I can educate, but I can’t force that either.

All I can do is breastfeed my babies, with a smile, knowing that I am doing what’s right and good for us.

The critics will come and go, and I’ll hear their words. But their words won’t hurt me, because I know that they are coming from a place of “unknowing.”

People can sense if you are living your life with calm resolution. The naysayers will have less and less to say if they realize that this, for me, is a non-issue.

I’m just going about my business, breastfeeding or not, pacifier or not, co-sleeping or not, when I want, where I want, how I want.

I’m still a warrior at heart, and living in the moment is still something that I have to consciously choose, but at least I have left this battle behind.

With the Third Annual Times Square NYC Big Latch On approaching, I applaud all of you mothers who proudly breastfeed, showing the world what is normal, natural, not always easy, but magical.

We can make this normal again. And there doesn’t need to be a battle. Just a bunch of mothers breastfeeding will do. With a smile. In peace. Together.

 

 

What about you? How do you normalize breastfeeding? Please share your experiences with us in the comments below. It would make my day.

 

Did you like this article? Don’t forget to pin it!

 

 

Be sure to join us in our social media accounts and be up to date with the progress of our project!

And… Don’t forget to share your brelfies using our hashtag

#BreastfeedingWorld

 

 

 

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Anne Kathryn Rice

Anne Kathryn Rice is an American mother of two strong willed children living on the Italian Riviera. She writes about motherhood and listening to your inner voice, even when cultural expectations, baby books, and impromptu advice seem to challenge your instincts. You can read more about her personal experiences on her blog.

www.lovegrowdiscover.com

The post Normalizing Breastfeeding: Why I Decided to Let Go of the Warrior in Me appeared first on Breastfeeding World.

I saw your back arched as though with pride, yet it felt more like defiance. You sat in the center of a crowd, your keen eyes on the lookout like a lioness protects her cub. You smiled and you chatted as if nothing was out of the ordinary, but I could feel your guardedness around you, thick as a wall. Your look at passersby was a silent dare that no one was willing to take.

I wanted to tell you that I admire you.

Maybe I’m seeing more than what you meant me to, but it means something to me. You know you’re doing more than just feeding your baby naturally, and you know the value of it. You’re making that statement that you are not to be belittled or intimidated into hiding. Your mind is chanting, “Let them say something, just let them,” because you are ready for battle… even if you hope you don’t have to.

I know if I was sitting with you, feeding my child beside you, I would feel in safe in your company. So many people do not or cannot feel that. Instead of taking a seat, I tried to give a smile of my thanks as I walked past. You didn’t see it though, because you were still on the lookout.

I saw you breastfeeding today.

Just out of the corner of my eye, I spotted you sitting lonesome in a corner. Some people prefer solitude, but this corner seat was like a time-out chair. Your slumped shoulders were turned protectively inward, sheltering your child from view, sheltering yourself from possible words that might hit like stones. Your family was far from your post: close enough to see if you were done yet, too far for you to feel included.

I wanted to tell you that I would protect you.

I know you’re trying to hide, but you shouldn’t have to; you don’t have to. There are so many people who would come to your defense if you needed us, even though we’re strangers. We know that the gift you’re giving your child is more than just nutrients; it’s love, and connection, and sacrifice. And while sometimes those close to us don’t always understand, it’s your business alone. You reminded me that no matter how far we’ve come in trying to make the simple act of nursing commonplace, we have so far to go.

I tried to catch your eye as you hastily wrapped up and made your way across to your family. I wanted you to maybe, for a second, not feel so alone. You didn’t see me though, so focused were you on the ground as you passed.

I saw you breastfeeding today.

I was lucky enough to be sitting behind you in the stadium and a little to the side, waiting to see the show. Unintentionally, I had a perfect view. Your partner’s hand was entwined with your own, their focus on your older child who was sitting on the other side. Your legs were stretched out in the same way as the baby sprawled in your arms, who happened to be wiggling his toes. You sighed as you laid your head on your spouse’s shoulder, partially from exhaustion no doubt, but also from contentment.

I wanted to tell you that I was glad for you.

That I knew what it was like to be blessed with a supportive spouse, who could make me relax in their presence. I wanted to ask you what your secret was to feeding in such serenity here. So many people struggle with achieving what you were displaying so beautifully.

I wanted to talk with you, I felt as though I could befriend you… but I didn’t want to interrupt such a lovely snapshot, this sweet moment in time. I sat back, satisfied just to be able to see such a perfect scene. But you felt me. You looked up and to the side, and our eyes met. I prepared to apologize in case you weren’t pleased you caught a stranger staring. When you smiled softly, I knew we understood each other. I nodded at you respectfully, and you did the same. You knew I gazed upon you with goodwill.

I got to be a part of your moment. I was glad we found camaraderie.

And I was glad I saw you breastfeeding today.

Be sure to join us in our social media accounts and be up to date with the progress of our project!

And… Don’t forget to share your brelfies using our hashtag

#BreastfeedingWorld

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Jacqueline Falvey-Rossi

Jacqueline Falvey-Rossi is a mother of three children ages 2, 5, and 8. After many failed attempts at breastfeeding with her first two children, she achieved success with her third child, ultimately nursing for more than two years. She has become an advocate for breastfeeding normalization, and for increasing support for new nursing mothers. Her brand-new blog, Mommy is an Oddity, is about celebrating the individuality in each parent as opposed to conventionality, and promotes embracing each other’s more unusual qualities as our strengths. She wishes to help all moms accept parenting in good humor, and feel comfortable as themselves, whoever they are and wherever they are in life.

The post I Saw You Breastfeeding Today, and I Want You To Know… appeared first on Breastfeeding World.

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Lauren Lewis

Lauren Lewis is no stranger to childcare development, having spent over 10 years as a nanny or family childcare provider. She’s the wife of a travel geek, mother of two vivacious children, and has an amazing talent for trailing lost things behind her a la Hansel and Gretel. Her passion for lifting up women and advocating for children pours out in her work as a Central Indiana Event Coordinator, Writer, and Social Media Relations Director for Breastfeeding World. Her life is full of busy, crazy and LOUD. It is full of love and hope, ups and downs. And coffee, always lots of coffee- but she wouldn’t have it any other way.

www.raisinglaurenslittle.wordpress.com

The post Come Join Central Indiana’s Big Latch On! appeared first on Breastfeeding World.

Recently, a post about Lactavism from Kristen at Motherwise popped up in my Facebook timeline from a few years ago.

Lactavism comes in different forms and words. And Lactavism may mean different things to different people. However, Lactavists all have the same goal. We want to show the world that breastfeeding is normal. And mothers, who join together, have the power to do  it. Kristen said,

Have y’all been keeping up on the recent Nursing In Public controversy? The Concord Mall in Wilmington, DE harassed a mother for breastfeeding in a Hollister store. Local women started commenting on the mall’s Facebook page, calling them out on it. Whoever was running their Facebook page literally said, “It was an eyesore.” And then ALSO said, “Hope you guys don’t mind if I suck my wife’s breasts in public.”

For real. Literally said that. It’s sad and frustrating and highly disturbing that people respond this way to the act of feeding a child. But it’s also really funny to me that companies think they can do this and experience no repercussions.

Breastfeeding moms are a force to be reckoned with. Corporations and businesses keep making the mistake of thinking they can harass and degrade us, breaking the laws that protect our rights to nurse in public, and there will somehow be no consequences.

Naw. Not happening. You will not shame us. You will not control us. We will feed our babies wherever we go. We will feed them as covered or as open as we prefer. We will NOT go hide in a disgusting bathroom. We have the right to nurse in public; you do NOT have the right to harass us.

If you do harass us, we will flood your Facebook page with negative attention and possibly make national news. We will organize nurse-ins at your stores nationwide to protest your ignorance. And thus far, almost every time, you will end up issuing an apology and updating your employees on breastfeeding mothers’ rights.

Breastfeeding Mothers are Powerful

Ladies, we have so much POWER when we join together as a collective movement. Look here at what we did at the amazing, peaceful Women’s Marches all over the WORLD! Businesses, media, and individuals should quiver in fear of the collective force of women with a goal- particularly a goal oriented around the well being of their children, such as lactavism. Look at the nurse-in which was organized when Katy Lee and Hoda disparaged breastfeeding in public on the Today Show! According to the Department of Labor, 57% of women in the United States participate in the workforce. Of that,  70% of those women have children under the age of 18.  Mother’s are everywhere, and when we join together, we have a strong voice.

Lactavism is not about being a “Boob Nazi”

Normalizing Breastfeeding is not about shoving our boobs in everyone’s faces. There are all types of breastfeeding moms. Just as there are all types of moms. We are not all the same. Lactavism is about creating a safe place for mother’s to feed their children. Without “Butter’s” and judgments.

Photo by: Alegares Photography

That’s it. Organizations such as the La Leche League have garnered a reputation of being “Boob Nazi’s” over time. But it isn’t further from the truth of what lactavism tries to do.  Whether you and your child prefer to nurse under a cover, or in a quiet corner, or in the middle of Times Square, it should always be because Breastfeeding should be a choice made between a mother and her child. No one else.

However, in order to create that sense of normalcy, breastfeeding mothers need to unite together. We need to take brelfie’s, attend latch-on’s, share articles and blog posts. We need to let other mothers know they are not alone in their breastfeeding journey.

After all, to quote Laurel Thatcher Ulrich, “Well-behaved women seldom make history.”

So let’s impact our world, and our children’s future, together.

 Be sure to join us in our social media accounts to be up to date with the progress of our project!

And… Don’t forget to share your brelfies using our hashtag

#BreastfeedingWorld

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Lauren Lewis

Lauren Lewis is no stranger to childcare development, having spent over 10 years as a nanny or family childcare provider. She’s the wife of a travel geek, mother of two vivacious children, and has an amazing talent for trailing lost things behind her a la Hansel and Gretel. Her passion for lifting up women and advocating for children pours out in her work as a Central Indiana Event Coordinator, Writer, and Social Media Relations Director for Breastfeeding World. Her life is full of busy, crazy and LOUD. It is full of love and hope, ups and downs. And coffee, always lots of coffee- but she wouldn’t have it any other way.

www.raisinglaurenslittle.wordpress.com

The post The Powerful Way Lactivism Ultimately Impacts Your World appeared first on Breastfeeding World.

8 smart ways to use “It’s for the breast milk.” to your advantage

1. When you want third servings of anything

• I mean, I already had seconds, but it’s just too good to stop there. If they judge me, they should know I’m doing this for my daughter.

• “Please pass the BBQ ribs this way – it’s for the breast milk.”

2. When you want cookies… just because

• Works best if the package has the word “lactation” on it, but if it doesn’t, you can still get away with convincing the family of your rights.

• “I can eat all the cookies I want because it’s for the breast milk.”

  

3.  When there is ONLY ONE piece of dessert left

• You know, when you and your brother are both staring down at the last Oreo macaroon left and you need a really good excuse as to why you deserve it more than he does.

• “Bro, it’s for the breast milk.” #winner

  

4. When you’ve got a sweet tooth at work

• When your Boss constantly catches you with a piece of chocolate from the “free candy” bowl set out for guests.

• “Boss, I can’t help it – it’s for the breast milk.”

5. When you’re sharing fries

• When you’re sharing McDonald’s fries with your other half and you want his share, too.

• “Babe, do you mind if I have the rest of these? It’s for the breast milk.”

6. When your friend is paying for lunch

• I mean, don’t be greedy about it. If they’re a good friend, they’ve got your back.

• “I’ll have the fresh spring rolls, the fried spring rolls, a #8, #9…and a taro bubble tea, please. Thanks, BFF, it’s for the breast milk.”

  

7. When your other half is on a health kick, but you ARE NOT

• My fiancé once bought me a reduced-fat, organic wheat muffin breakfast sandwich from Starbucks. I was so disappointed.

• “Babe, what are you doing to me? I need all the fat I can get – it’s for the breast milk.”

  

8. When you’re picky about food

• The time you’re visiting Madre’s house and the only thing to eat isn’t one of your favorites.

• “Oh, Madre, I’m so sorry I can’t have any of this – it’s (not good) for the breast milk.”

  

   

Of course, these are all just excuses to have your way with food, which is my weakness. If you’re looking for healthy alternatives,fruit is a great substitute for the above, because eating thirds or the whole box of cookies isn’t necessary…or necessarily healthy. If you’re a foodie like I am, then give it a try!

No one dares to question a mom and her food choices “for the breast milk.” Do you have some personal favorites that get you far with food? Share them in a comment below!

Be sure to join us in our social media accounts to be up to date with the progress of our project!

And… Don’t forget to share your brelfies using our HT #BreastfeedingWorld 

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Betty Rose

Betty Rose is a writer and the voice behind the #MomLife Column. Born and raised on the Pacific Island of Guam, she now resides in Seattle, Washington. After having her first child, she began sharing her new role as a Chamorro mother living in the stats and continues to contribute feature stories of Pacific Island communities in other publications. She embraces the diversity, the struggles of motherhood and hopes that, through her writing, she can break and bring awareness to the barriers set on minority communities across the world.

www.facebook.com/TheMomLifeColumn/

The post How breastfeeding moms can get their way with one phrase appeared first on Breastfeeding World.

The Tree of Life Movement

The normalize breastfeeding campaign has extended and reached far beyond what many could have imagined. Over time, it has grown and transformed into a movement that countless mothers have become a part of. Now, we welcome, The Tree of Life. Mothers from around the world have taken to social media with their beautifully edited images, showcasing their breastfeeding photos overlaid with the tree of life. These images have taken #normalizebreastfeeding by storm.

Keep reading for instructions on how to create your own Tree of Life image!

Why the Tree of Life?

The Tree of Life is so much more than a beautiful image, it is more than a clever depiction of the scientific view of the mammary blood vessels. The Tree of Life is a mystical and magical symbol that has transcended time, cultures and religions. It is called by many names, but all with a similar symbolic significance, it is the source of life.

The roots are profoundly embedded within us, to deliver us the aptitude to give our children a piece of who we are. The trunk establishes a foundation, the connection between our children and us. Our bond is passionate, it is powerful. The branches reach out for sustenance, to provide nourishment from that thoughtful, unfathomable place within ourselves. With that, they are the fruit, the piece of us that we have given to the world. There is a further power that we bestow onto them, a sense of themselves. They have the freedom to be the bird fleetingly landing on that tree, so they may, one-day, place roots of their own.

Just like the Tree of Life, each photo holds a special meaning to the mother who created this bond. This mother laid the roots, built the trunk, spread her branches so her child may be given to the world.

Do you want to create your own Tree of Life image?

Here’s how!

• Download the picsart app.
• Google “transparent tree”, “transparent tree with roots”, “tree of roots” etc. choose a tree that you like and save the tree to your phone.
• Upload the breastfeeding image that you would like to edit.
• Scroll over to “add photo” on the bottom of the screen.
• For an image with a white background, click “blend” then select “multiply”. If the background doesn’t remove, choose another image. For an image that is already transparent (which is ideal), click “blend” then “overlay”.
• Manipulate your tree until it encompasses your breast and baby’s head. Make the image bigger, smaller, rotate, play until you get a look that you’re happy with.
• You can edit and crop pieces of the tree with the eraser tool on the top of the screen.
• When you are happy with the placement, now comes the magic!
• Click the “magic” button and choose a filter that you like. You can use multiple filters by clicking apply and then returning back into the “magic” menu to choose another filter.

Join us with #BFWtreeoflife

Be sure to join us in our social media accounts to be up to date with the progress of our project!

And… Don’t forget to share your brelfies using our HT #BreastfeedingWorld 

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Samantha Sykula

Born and raised in NY, I studied speech and language pathology at NYU. I am a stay at home mom to two beautiful children, Richard and Charlotte and wife to my wonderful husband, Rich. I have always had a deep love for learning, which has grown further since becoming a mother, I am always looking for new ways to enrich our lives. Becoming a mother changed my life, I learned compassion, caring and most importantly, true love. I hope to share the experiences of my breastfeeding, cloth diapering, babywearing, crocheting, full of love, life.

The post Breastfeeding Tree of Life Images Take Over The Internet appeared first on Breastfeeding World.

“This is about my own some-day daughter. When you approach me, already stung-eyed with insecurity, begging, “Mom, will I be pretty?” I will wipe that question from your mouth like cheap lipstick and answer “No, the word pretty is unworthy of everything you will be, and no child of mind will be contained in five letters.

You will be pretty intelligent, pretty creative, pretty amazing. But you, will never be merely…pretty.” – Kate Makkai

My Imp had her preschool Halloween Party last week. She is four now. Gone are the days of dinosaurs and owls. Now she wants to be “beautiful”. Last year, she chose to be Cinderella. This year, Elsa reins queen.

She already had the costume from when we visited Disney back in February. (Why yes, I will take the 17.99 costume from amazon over the 50$ one sold at the Bibbidi Bobbity Boutique, thank you very much!) I found a coordinating Olaf for her baby brother, and I made the Anna and Kristoff costumes she required of my husband and I- all for less than 30$. Totally winning, right?

Never Merely Pretty

Then she declared that her costume would not be complete without glitter nails and make-up. “And Mommy, I want my hair in my ‘Elsa Braid.'” Once the appropriate princess assembly was finished, she gazed adoringly at her sparkly nails. “Mommy, my teacher will say how beautiful I am.” My heart squeezed in that moment, because of course, she is beautiful. Of course others should tell her how pretty she is. But baby girl, my always baby, you are so so SO much more than beautiful.

“Lyla,” I said, “glitter and sparkles and make-up, this stuff is fun, and it makes you feel fancy. But it is not what makes you beautiful. The way you treat others, your kindness, the way you love your friends and family, THAT is what makes you pretty. Cinderella and Elsa’s kindness and love is what makes them beautiful. Not her dress or her sparkles or her magic. Just like you.”

Life Lessons

Now, I’m not sure how much sank in, but I will make sure to tell her every day, ever chance she gets, that she is beautiful. Eventually she will learn that while it is fun to feel fancy, it is her heart that makes her truly beautiful. Women spend so much of our lives being boxed in, categorized- beautiful or not. It is part of the reason why breastfeeding women work so hard to normalize it. Society deemed women only as valuable as our outside package. Breasts are for beauty, not for nurture. Our bodies are valued over our brains, and our hearts. My little princess will never be raised with that mindset.

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I am not raising a pretty package. I am raising a strong, smart, compassionate, brave, creative, complex tornado of a human being. She will always find support idealizing and dressing as her beloved Disney Princesses. See- they, too, are more than their package. My goal as her mother, as my son’s mother, as the caretaker of tiny humans, is to teach them to look underneath.

Together, as mothers, as women, we build human beings for the next generation who have eyes that see beyond the fancy, the pretty. We raise children who value kindness, bravery, and gratitude.

Be sure to join us in our social media accounts to be up to date with the progress of our project!

And… Don’t forget to share your brelfies using our HT #BreastfeedingWorld 

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Lauren Lewis

Lauren Lewis is no stranger to childcare development, having spent over 10 years as a nanny or family childcare provider. She’s the wife of a travel geek, mother of two vivacious children, and has an amazing talent for trailing lost things behind her a la Hansel and Gretel. Her passion for lifting up women and advocating for children pours out in her work as a Central Indiana Event Coordinator, Writer, and Social Media Relations Director for Breastfeeding World. Her life is full of busy, crazy and LOUD. It is full of love and hope, ups and downs. And coffee, always lots of coffee- but she wouldn’t have it any other way.

www.raisinglaurenslittle.wordpress.com

The post My Preschool Princess, You are Never Merely Pretty appeared first on Breastfeeding World.

photo by Trausch Photography

Jodie Allenson with Curvy Girl Studio demonstrates a Mommy and ME Mini-Movers class for Parents and Babes

Stacey Ware with Usborne Books is a nursing mama and business owner. Photo credit: Lindsay Trausch, Trausch Photography

Tahwii Spicer is an Advocate Partner for Breastfeeding World and the Owner of Simply Natural Baby Store

Dana Fledderman is a Breastfeeding Supporter and 31 Consultant.

Little Mr. Little Miss Baby Boutique

“The Bubbles were pretty awesome, but Just being there, enjoying times with other moms was great!” -Renee Smith

Lauren Lewis

Lauren Lewis is no stranger to childcare development, having spent over 10 years as a nanny or family childcare provider. She’s the wife of a travel geek, mother of two vivacious children, and has an amazing talent for trailing lost things behind her a la Hansel and Gretel. Her passion for lifting up women and advocating for children pours out in her work as a Central Indiana Event Coordinator, Writer, and Social Media Relations Director for Breastfeeding World. Her life is full of busy, crazy and LOUD. It is full of love and hope, ups and downs. And coffee, always lots of coffee- but she wouldn’t have it any other way.

www.raisinglaurenslittle.wordpress.com

The post Hamilton County Big Latch On- A Community Success! appeared first on Breastfeeding World.

On May 21st, 2016 breastfeeding supporters around the world joined forces and together we all celebrated the WHO Code Day of action, an initiative to create awareness and protect families from unfair marketing strategies.

The International Code of Marketing Substitutes is an International health policy for breastfeeding promotion adopted by the World Health Assembly of the World Health Organization (WHO) in May 21st, 1981.

The Code was developed as a health strategy to recommend restrictions on the marketing of breastmilk substitutes such as infant formula in hopes of ensuring moms to not be discouraged to breastfeed their babies. Thankfully, since 1981, 84 countries have enacted legislations implementing all or many of the provisions of the WHO Code.

Unfortunately many baby food companies and hospitals all around the world have failed to abide by the code, which is why breastfeeding advocates created the WHO Code Day, specially to be able to educate mothers about it.

WHO Code Provisions

For the World Health Organization, the Code aims to shield breastfeeding mothers from commercial promotion that affects them, health workers and health care systems. Here we have provided some samples of the provisions regulated by the code:

Sam Graff Breastfeeding Her child

For Mothers:

Information and educational materials on infant and young child feeding should be objective and consistent and emphasize the importance of breastfeeding. In no case should such materials refer to a brand name of a product.

All forms of product advertising and promotion are prohibited.

Mothers should not be given free product samples.

• Promotional devices such as discounts and special displays at the retail level are prohibited.

For Health Workers:

• The Code gives health workers the responsibility to encourage and protect breastfeeding.
• Materials regarding products given to health professionals by manufacturers and distributors should be limited to ‘scientific and factual’ matters. They should not be tools to promote the use of products.
• Product samples may be given only when necessary for professional evaluation or research at the institutional level. In no case should these samples be passed on to mothers.

For Health Care Systems:

“Thank you for Breastfeeding me”

• Promotion of any product is forbidden in a health care facility. This includes the display of products, placards and posters concerning such products and distribution of materials provided by manufacturers and distributors.
• Formula feeding should be demonstrated only to those mothers or family members who need to use it and the information given should include a clear explanation of the risks of formula feeding and hazards of improper use of products.
• Donated equipment and materials should not refer to brand names of products.
• Free Supplies: Two subsequent resolutions (WHA 39.28 [1986] and WHA 47.5 [1994]) effectively call for an end to all free or low-cost supplies to any part of the health care system. Manufacturers and distributors are therefore prohibited from providing products to health care facilities for free or at low cost.

WHO is Breastfeeding? – A happy baby photo contest

For everyone who is part of Breastfeeding World, it is important to take action and join this global initiative so that we can fairly promote breastfeeding together; because of this we launched our “WHO is Breastfeeding? – A happy baby photo contest”. With this contest, we hope to encourage moms around the world to learn more about the WHO code- and it’s safe implementation.

In coordination with our Big Latch On Events quickly approaching- in NYC, Hamilton County and on Martha’s Vineyard- we decided that the winners of this photo contest would be the face of our national outreach campaign. Currently, we are designing the “Thank you for Breastfeeding Me” advocacy cards, which will be handed to all the participants of our Tri-State events.

But as you know, for Breastfeeding World every picture has to come with a story. These are the breastfeeding journey stories of these lovely mamas and babies! Meet them as you will see their pictures printed very soon!.

Shawna Sundberg –

With my first child, I was not prepared to breastfeed. In fact, I was only told it was disgusting and that I should not do it. Because I had no support, (we had moved to a new state three months prior to her being born) I just did not do it. With my second child, I was a bit more prepared, yet still was unable to breastfeed for long. I did not have any LLL or LC professionals within two hours of where I lived. So when I had a hard time with his latch and extreme pain, and taking 2 hours to feed him, I had no idea what to do. Therefore, we started formula at four months. If I had have someone with experience we would have been able to learn that he had a lip tie.

With my third child I was much better advised and researched. The internet had changed so much and there was so much more information available to me. We had a beautiful breastfeeding experience which lasted 20 months when she self weaned. My fourth, and current, baby is 8 1/2 months old and we are going strong! I have experience as well as great support where we live now. I love that breastfeeding isn’t as it was 13 years ago when I had my first. I love that it’s becoming more and more normalized…as it should be.

Sarah Brown –

“The way she snuggles right up too me is the best feeling any mommy can experience.” – Sarah Brown

Joni Jones –

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A photography project founded in late 2014 by Alexia Garcia, photographer a Alegares Photography. Breastfeeding World aims to promote breastfeeding and encourage new moms to nurse their babies through the art of photography and story telling.

The post Thank you for Breastfeeding Me – Photo Contest appeared first on Breastfeeding World.