Whitney

How long have you been nursing? A total of 17 months, 8 months with my first daughter and 9 months and counting with my second daughter.

 

What made you decide to breastfeed? I‘ve always known breast was best and never really considered anything else as an option. I knew I wanted to do what was best for my girls, to help them grow, protect them from illness, and to build a healthy bond with them. Even though myself nor my sister were breastfed I knew from an early age that I would breastfeed my babies. It only seemed natural to me.

What struggles did you have in the early days of nursing? I got pretty lucky and never had any serious issues although neither of my children had very good latches they both were quick to gain weight and the nipple soreness didn’t last too long. I did have terrible engorgement both times early on and I was afraid I would end up with mastitis but I fed on demand and never did.

Why do you think our society disapproves of something that has been around since the beginning of time? I think the formula industry took over in the 1950s and made people think it was easier and better for babies. It quickly became the feeding method of choice and slowly made breastfeeding seem unnatural. Along with the breasts being over sexualized people forgot why women were given breasts in the first place. Just like anything in our society, if you are not the majority you are looked down upon. Once people start to think a certain way or believe something is right vs wrong it’s hard to change their minds. It also didn’t help that when people began to formula feed it was the wealthier more privileged women who started doing it and only those who were less privileged or wealthy were the ones who still breastfed.

What do you think we could do to encourage more people to nurse their babies? I think it needs to become the new normal, but in a real way. Women need to know that it doesn’t always come easy and if you get the right help almost anyone can do it. Women also need to feel supported for taking the effort to do the right thing and not be made to feel ashamed to doing what is best for her baby. The breasts need to be taken from the men and given back to the babies!

As an advocate for breastfeeding, what would you like to tell people? I just want people to know its ok to ask for help and to not let others make you feel uncomfortable for doing what’s best for you and your baby.

Would you ever consider milk sharing? Donating? Receiving? I would, I wish I produced enough milk to donate. I would also allow someone close to me to nurse my child or donate milk to me if my child ever needed it. I think it’s great that women can donate their extra breastmilk. I think some people get grossed out by the thought of using someone else breast milk because it’s a body fluid but people don’t have a problem with donating blood. Some babies, especially sick or premature ones can really benefit from breast milk over formula. It may even be the difference in life or death when it comes to building the immune system and receiving the right amounts of healthy fats.

What do you think it is about nursing a baby that makes people uncomfortable? People think nursing a baby is a private matter just because it involves your private body parts. It’s almost as if they feel like they are watching a sexual act or something. It’s really sad that it is more normal to feed a baby with a bottle and too see half naked women in a bikini than it is to seeing a mother nurse her child.

How long do you plan to nurse your baby? I plan to nurse my daughter as long as she wants to and as long as I am producing milk. I would at least like to make it to one year but I will allow her to nurse longer if I’m able. I probably wouldn’t nurse past two just as a personal preference but I have no issue with women who do. I think it’s amazing that women can still produce milk that long and give their child that extra nutritional and immune boost.

Rachel

How long have you been nursing? 2 years and 7 months

What made you decide to breastfeed? Honestly I didn’t know anything about breastfeeding before I had kids of my own. I come from a family of formula fed babies so I didn’t know there were any other options. My brother in law’s wife was the first person in my life who I knew that breastfed. At first we decided to breastfeed Eli, my oldest, for financial reasons. The more we learned, the more it became a decision for the health benefits. On June 18, 2012, the day I entered into motherhood I chose to breastfeed as a way to bond with my newborn. Eli entered the world through a traumatic, unnecessary c section (I had an impatient doctor and no knowledge about birth) and I was kept from him for the first four hours of his life, even though we were both perfectly healthy. When I finally met him, breastfeeding became our gateway to a sweet bond that I was horrified I was going to miss.

What struggles did you have in the early days of nursing? With Eli I didn’t really have any struggles. He was an incredible nurser from the second we met. With Harvest, my youngest, I really struggled from the first day. I was able to be with her the second she entered the world (I had a beautiful, natural birth at my midwife’s cottage) and didn’t really know when to try to breastfeed. She cried through the first night and barely wanted to nurse at all. The second day she started nursing but it was incredibly painful. I’m still not sure if she had a bad latch or was a strong eater (or a mix of both), but it felt like knives. When we finally conquered those first painful months I developed eczema on my nipples. I cried through almost every feeding until we started introducing solids and she was able to nurse less. My eczema stuck around for about 9 months.

Why do you think our society disapproves of something that has been around since the beginning of time? I think people disapprove of it because breasts have become over sexualized in our society. 100 years ago women breastfed their children and no one noticed because it was just how you fed your child. 

What do you think we could do to encourage more people to nurse their babies?  I think we need to normalize breastfeeding by feeding our babies in public. We need to be more open with the subject. I encourage others to breastfeed by simply getting to know other women/moms and discussing my own breastfeeding journey. I know that the recommended age is 2. In a perfect world, I think it would be wonderful for babies to be breastfed until 2 (or longer). But, breastfeeding isn’t always easy and I think a mom should breastfeed as long her body (and baby) allow and she shouldn’t feel ashamed if she doesn’t reach her goal.

At what age do you think women should stop nursing their babies/children? I know that the recommended age is 2. In a perfect world, I think it would be wonderful for babies to be breastfed until 2 (or longer). But, breastfeeding isn’t always easy and I think a mom should breastfeed as long her body (and baby) allow and she shouldn’t feel ashamed if she doesn’t reach her goal.

Would you ever consider milk sharing? Donating? Recieving? Wet nursing?  I have considered these, but I’m not sure if I ever would be able to donate. I really struggle with pumping and have never been able to get the hang of it. If there ever came a day when I couldn’t produce milk for my baby I would definitely be cool with receiving donated milk. I think its amazing that there are moms out there willing to help other moms. Wet nursing is something I probably wouldn’t do, personally. I know the bond that breastfeeding creates and I would hate to take that away from another mom.

Where do you feel the most comfortable nursing? I feel most comfortable nursing my daughter at home, in my bed, snuggled under blankets.

Where do you feel the most uncomfortable nursing? Honestly I would say in church, but then I remind myself that Jesus was breastfed… Haha.

How long do you plan to nurse your baby? I had planned to nurse until 2. But at 13 months she has already begun weening herself. So for now I am taking it one day at a time and rejoicing in the time I have had to nurse her.

Angela

How long have you been nursing? It was 10 years on July 24th.

 

What made you decide to breastfeed? Instinct and a need to be as close to nurture and nature with my child as humanly possible.

What struggles did you have in the early days of nursing? By night 5, my nipples were cracked and bleeding from the strong suck and just slightly askew latch of a 9 lb newborn. I hadn’t a bottle in the house even if I wanted to pump. We found a lactation consultant that very next day….she saved us.

What do you think it is about nursing a baby that makes people uncomfortable? Ha! I really don’t know? But if I have to guess, its about fearing something unknown and unfamiliar. If you grow up seeing bottles and bottles and no breast, you naturally shun away the over sexualized items inside a woman’s shirt that serve to nurture and raise humankind.

As an advocate for breastfeeding, what would you like to tell people? “Heaven is at the feet of your Mother”. If you want to build a strong, secure, independent adult, then you have to do the work and lay the bricks one by one. An attached and secure child turns into a healthy,vibrant, powerful and secure adult.

What do you think we could do to encourage more people to nurse their babies? Educate and normalize breastfeeding, beginning with our children and in schools. Allow mothers to nurse in public and express the beauty that encompasses the nursing relationship.

At what age do you think women should stop nursing their babies/children? That is simply unique to every family and child. If all goes well, then at least 2 years because our children grow so rapidly the first 2 years of life…..beyond that, it is up to the mother and child.

How long do you plan to nurse your child? Until my child decides it is his time to wean.

Bonnie

How long have you been nursing? 9 months.

What made you decide to breastfeed? I never really considered formula because it just seemed like the natural thing to do. The main reason that I chose to breastfeed was for the health benefits, which have proven to be true. My son has only had one minor cold in 9 months! It really is the most perfect food that you can give your baby. My husband and I eat healthy, unprocessed foods, so it would make sense that we would give the same to our child. Saving money is a nice perk, but I don’t consider breast milk to be free. It costs time, energy, sleep…and sometimes sanity! If I had to pay for it I would. But I don’t, which is also pretty fantastic 🙂

What struggles did you have in the early days of nursing? Am I limited to the early days? Haha. For me it seems like there is always some sort of struggle. Each developmental stage comes with its own challenges. I was fortunate to have a baby who latched immediately and enjoyed eating, but I had a c-section and it took awhile for my milk to come in. Read- angry baby! Like many new moms, I felt overwhelmed by the cluster feeding in the beginning and sleepless nights. I worried about my supply, I worried that he was eating too often, or not eating enough, or gaining weight too slow. When I went back to work at 10 weeks, my baby developed a major bottle preference. He didn’t want to nurse and it was a constant struggle to keep him on the breast. That was probably when I liked breastfeeding the least. It took 2 months of constant trying and fighting (and tears) until he finally started nursing normal again. Being a working mom is also tough because you rely on the pump, which is not as efficient as the baby. It has been stressful trying to keep supply up and meeting the daily quota for ounces. I’ve been very fortunate to be able to exclusively breastfeed my baby, but I also have a supply that just meets his needs. That’s a tricky spot to be in because you don’t have the comfort of pumping extra, and you don’t have formula to fall back on. Some days it means that you have to pump again at night, or early in the morning, or on weekends to make up the difference. I have definitely felt a lot of pressure this year to keep up. Now that he’s older, he’s a distracted eater and I’m once again questioning if he’s eating enough, or frequently enough, or gaining enough weight, and the list goes on! I think that every breastfeeding relationship has its struggles, and overcoming them makes it that much more worthwhile. I can honestly say that breastfeeding is the hardest thing that I have ever done. But I hope that people will see that if I can make it work, most others can.

What do you think it is about nursing a baby that makes people uncomfortable? The boobs. Breastfeeding would be much more acceptable if weren’t for those darn breasts! In our country breasts are over sexualized. Wearing a low cut shirt, or a bikini top, is acceptable, but using breasts for their function is not. I think it’s a huge problem for women when they feel like they are doing something inappropriate by feeding their child. Depending on their comfort level, this may be the one thing that discourages them from breastfeeding.

How long do you plan to nurse your baby? Great question! I’m honestly not sure how long our breastfeeding relationship will last. Because I work, my goal is to pump for at least a year (possibly longer), and nurse at home thereafter. As long as he’s interested in nursing in the evenings/mornings I will offer it.

At what age do you think women should stop nursing their babies/children? This is a decision that will vary from woman to woman based on her reasons for breastfeeding and personal goals. In many other countries it is the norm for children to breastfeed until age 3 or 4. The World Health Organization recommends breastfeeding for the first two years and beyond, while the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends continuing at least through the first year. Ideally, women should breastfeed until their child self-weans. Based on her circumstances, this may not be feasible for every woman, so she needs to do what she feels is best for her and her baby. Longer is obviously better than shorter, but any amount of breast milk is a precious gift. If the goal is to avoid formula, then breastfeeding should be done for at least a year before cow’s milk can be introduced.

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What do you think we could do to encourage more people to nurse their babies? I think the biggest predictors of nursing success are having a great support system and the determination to make it work. Breastfeeding is hard, especially in the early days. This is when many women want to quit, and when it’s the most important to reach out and help them. I would encourage women to see a lactation consultant or experienced midwife, join support groups, and most importantly, surround themselves with other nursing moms who can offer advice and share experiences. There is no way that I would have made it this far without the help and guidance of great friends, and also without support from my husband. It’s important to educate husbands as well, so that support continues at home. Breastfeeding becomes more feasible when it is a family goal, versus just the goal of the mother. Even though breastfeeding can be extremely challenging at times, it is possible to overcome most challenges if the support and guidance are there.

I also think that more people would be encouraged to nurse their babies if more actions were taken to normalize breastfeeding (like this project!). If a woman feels too intimidated to nurse in public it is very limiting. She is left with the option to stay home, nurse in the car, or (gasp) nurse in the bathroom. None of these choices are appealing and would probably discourage anyone from breastfeeding. It seems ironic to me that society puts pressure on mothers to breastfeed, but can make them feel wrong for doing so in public. I also know mothers who feel judged for formula feeding though, which makes one question what society really views as the “correct” way to feed a baby. It should be considered the norm to nurse a baby whenever, and wherever they are hungry, just the same as with bottle feeding. Educating women about their rights is important too, and can be empowering. In Virginia, a mother may breastfeed anywhere that she lawfully present. She also cannot be charged with indecent exposure.

Lastly, I think that it’s important to remember that successful breastfeeding takes many forms, and is not a “one size fits all” endeavor. We need to encourage more women to breastfeed, no matter what their breastfeeding goals are. Exclusive breastfeeding is ideal, but is not always possible for everyone. There are mom’s that exclusively pump, and moms who have to (or choose to) supplement. They should not be made to feel inadequate for doing so. Any amount of breast milk is better than none, and all moms should be supported and encouraged on their breastfeeding journey.

Amanda

How long have you been nursing? My daughter, Natalie, nursed for 2 years. I took a 5 month break during pregnancy, and I’ve been nursing Alex for 4 weeks now. 

What made you decide to breastfeed? With Natalie, I just felt it was, by far, the best nutritional choice for her. The fact that it was free was also very appealing! With Alex, it wasn’t a decision. Nursing my babies is the norm, and just what I do! 

What struggles did you have in the early days of nursing? It’s been so different with each child. With Natalie, I didn’t know anyone who had nursed their child past the first few weeks. I felt like I had very little support or encouragement. Even well-meaning family members would make comments about how often my daughter nursed or if she cried a lot, they questioned whether my milk was “enough” for her. I also had an oversupply of milk. Natalie would choke every time my milk let down and I felt tied to my pump. The oversupply also made it really difficult to nurse in public. It was several months before I felt comfortable nursing her anywhere other than at home. With Alex, his latch has been a little shallow and painful for me, so we’ve really had to work at that.

Why do you think our society disapproves of something that has been around since the beginning of time? I think that our society has sexualized breasts so much that they have trouble seeing them in any other way. It makes people uncomfortable seeing something they view as sexual anywhere near a baby. 

At what age do you think women should stop nursing their babies/children? Whenever mother or child is ready to stop. Ideally, not before the first year.

How do you deal with the breastfeeding haters? Honestly, for the most part, I don’t. I just do what I need to do to take care of my child. I think the best thing we can do to normalize breastfeeding is to just do it. In public or at home, I just tend to my child’s needs. I’m confident in my decision to breastfeed my child wherever he needs to nurse and if someone else has a problem with that, then that’s just their problem.

Where do you feel the most comfortable nursing? With my first child, I rarely nursed in public. I usually pumped and brought bottles with me when I was out. I’ve worked really hard to overcome my anxiety about nursing in public and now I can proudly say that I am relatively comfortable nursing my child absolutely anywhere that he needs me to. Honestly though, I am most comfortable at home on my big, comfy sofa!

Where do you feel the most uncomfortable nursing? I will nurse my son anywhere that he needs me to, but I am uncomfortable around people that I know are very modest or people that seem unsupportive of breastfeeding in general.

What do you think it is about nursing a baby that makes people uncomfortable? I think this goes back to people not wanting to see anything that they view as sexual near a child.  

What do you think we could do to encourage more people to nurse their babies? Education and support. Women need to know what’s normal behavior for breastfed babies. So many of us are used to seeing formula-fed babies and think of their behavior as the norm, when it actually needs to be the opposite. I’ve met so many women who think that their bodies aren’t capable of supplying adequate nutrition to their child because they’re comparing their baby’s behavior to the behavior of formula-fed babies. Support is equally important, especially in the early days. Women need to feel that other women understand their journey. We should feel supported and empowered by each other. 

 

Marielle

How long have you been nursing? I’ve been nursing this little one for just shy of three months. I also breastfeed my first son for 15 months.

What made you decide to breastfeed? Why not? It’s the healthiest, most convenient, and cheapest option. I was determined to do whatever it took to make it happen. I am blessed that it has come easily for me with both of my boys.

Why do you think our society disapproves of something that has been around since the beginning of time? Honestly, I believe that it has to do with the over-sexualization of everything in our American culture. Sex is everywhere. Sex sells. Porn is a multi-billion dollar industry that far too many have fallen victim to. People can no longer help but associate breasts as sexual. Don’t get me wrong, I believe that my breasts are for more than just feeding. The Bible talks about how they are also for my husbands pleasure, and they please him just fine , but I think it’s also important to acknowledge the context. Feeding my child is a very different context, but due to such over-sexualization, people have a hard time separating the two. 

What do you think we could do to encourage more people to nurse their babies? Support and encouragement! Women need that support especially in those first few weeks. It doesn’t always come easy nor is it always comfortable, but they need to know that the discomfort passes quickly and there are options to address latch issues, supply issues, etc. I also think we need women to be more comfortable breastfeeding in public. It doesn’t have to be a spectacle, but I do think so many women give up because it’s just too awkward for them to take care of their child when they are in public.

At what age do you think women should stop nursing their babies/children? I think the answer to that question is different for every family/child. My first weaned very easily at 15 months. I was surprised how easily it happened since he was such an avid feeder, but I was pregnant and my supply had drastically decreased. It had become so uncomfortable so I just told him it was all gone. Since we had been supplementing with cow milk and he was eating table food, it wasn’t nearly as difficult as I thought it would be. He seemed perfectly fine with it and there were never any tears over it. My goal for my kids is always to breastfeed for at least the first year, but I would like to be able to do it for closer to two just because of the health and developmental benefits that breastmilk offers.

Would you ever consider milk sharing? Donating? Recieving? Wet nursing? Absolutely! I’ve donated some milk to other mommas in need before. If I were unable to nurse my babies, I would certainly want them to be able to receive donated milk before I turned to formula. Again, don’t get me wrong… I think there is a time and place for formula, but for me, it’s a last resort. 

How do you deal with the breastfeeding haters? Thankfully, I haven’t had many people say anything. I try to be very respectful when out in public. The only comment I’ve ever had to deal with was a back-handed compliment about Jaxton nursing for so long. I just smiled and let it go. My kid, my rules. I’m not going to let the unwanted opinion of someone else change my approach of raising these blessings. I’m doing what I truly believe to be best for them.

Tori

How long have you been nursing? 13 months

What made you decide to breastfeed? I knew that breastfeeding was the best start I could give my kids.

What struggles did you have in the early days of nursing?  I struggled a lot with my first: engorgement, blocked ducts, pumping. I quit too early; we only made it 6 weeks. But 6 weeks is better than none! With my second, I struggled with supply issues. We made it 6 months with formula and donor supplementation (have you met my bff Ruth?!) This time I was determined; I sought out help and advice when needed. I got on a good schedule from the get go and built up a good back up supply. It made me so happy to have a successful start.

 

As an advocate for breastfeeding, what would you like to tell people? I tell people it’s truly the best thing you can do. Breastmilk provides the proper amount of calories, fats, nutrients, etc that your baby needs and adjusts as they grow as well as providing antibodies for immune support, and it’s free; what other food does that?! It’s natural and normal. But natural doesn’t always mean easy. It’s ok to feel frustrated or overwhelmed. There are tons of people out there who want to help you succeed.

 

Why do you think our society disapproves of something that has been around since the beginning of time? I think our society has made breasts taboo. It’s only something that should be seen in lingerie or something. Which is just crazy to me.

What do you think we could do to encourage more people to nurse their babies?  I think education is key. I work as a [NICU] nurse and I’m all about educating the people to make the best informed choices they can. (But it’s also important to distinguish between educating and shaming.)

 

How do you deal with the breastfeeding haters? I haven’t dealt with too many haters honestly. I’ve had my share of people asking when we’ll be done breastfeeding tho (just hit 13 months!), to which I normally just tell them that we’ll stop when we want to. And we’re not ready yet.

Ruth

How long have you been nursing? With my oldest, I tried for 2 weeks but found pumping worked best for us at the time. I used a single manual pump for 5.5 months. I then received a double electric pump and used that for another 3 months, and finally switched to formula. My second was in the NICU for 8 days so I was pumping for her until we came home. We weened at 14.5 months. I’m now enjoying this little one. We’ve been going strong for almost 4 months now. Between all 3 girls I’ve been pumping or breastfeeding for 27 months and counting! 

What made you decide to breastfeed? My mom breastfed my siblings and I. Growing up it was common for my mom and her friends to nurse their babies as us older kids played. I also distinctly remember nursing my dolls. It was just what I was going to do no question. 

Would you ever consider milk sharing? Donating? Receiving? Wet nursing? I have to admit that at the beginning of my breastfeeding journey I didn’t know it was normal and I sorta came upon the idea of milk sharing by accident. My best friend Tori was struggling to produce enough and I had extra… I hesitantly offered and she accepted… Since then I’ve shared my breast milk with 7 babies. In the last 4 months I’ve shared approximately 3,000 ounces between 5 of those babies. 

Where do you feel the most comfortable nursing? My home, but that’s just because it’s the only place socially acceptable to nurse… Without pants on! 😉 In all honesty though, I’m comfortable doing it anywhere, and I have. 

Where do you feel the most uncomfortable nursing? Like I said, I’m comfortable anywhere now. This is my third go round though. With my oldest(before I started exclusively pumping), I was most nervous about it in church. Once I got the hang of it with my second one it wasn’t a problem anymore. 

What do you think it is about nursing a baby that makes people uncomfortable? I think there’s a big misconception that breasts have to be strictly sexual, and if we use them to feed our babies or young children we’re somehow being inappropriate. I think that’s rather narrow-minded. When we breastfeed we’re simply using our bodies the way God intended! 

As an advocate for breastfeeding, what would you like to tell people? For me it’s empowering. Through breastfeeding I’ve found a respect for myself and my body that I didn’t have before. I mean, this body has produced enough milk to sustain and/or help grow 10(!) babies! I am humbled and honored that I can share with other mamas in such an intimate way.

How long do you plan to nurse your baby? My hope is to breastfeed for as long as this little girl wants to! Each time it’s been so different. It’ll be interesting to see how this breastfeeding relationship plays out. 

How do you deal with the breastfeeding haters? The decision to breastfeed, use formula, or pump and bottle feed, or some combination of the three is a personal one. Just like with every other parenting choice, do your research, weigh the pros and cons, and make the best choice for your family. In the end don’t hate on others for the way they choose to raise their kids. 

Sarah

*Note: Sarah’s little guy was too busy playing & exploring to nurse for his photo session. Sarah is 17 weeks pregnant.

How long have you been nursing? A combined three years. My son will mark two years in May and my daughter nursed off and on for 14 months.

What made you decide to breastfeed? Really it was never even a question. My mom breastfed my brothers. I saw her doing that from a young age and it never phased me. Then my younger cousins came along and they were all breastfed. It was just normal to me and I figured if my family could do it, then why shouldn’t I give it a shot!? I also loved the idea of having that special bond with my baby that no one else could have except for me It was very important to me that I gave my children the very best start in life with nutrition. 

What struggles did you have in the early days of nursing? I have a flat nipple and one that is slightly inverted. My daughter was also born early and small, so she had a small mouth that made it challenging for her to get a good latch. We also found out after meeting with an IBCLC that she had a tongue and lip tie. Nursing was so painful! I cracked and bled for about two weeks but I was determined not to give up. I had some incredible encouragement! Then when she was nine months old she started teething and I found out I was pregnant. My supply dipped and it was a struggle because I was very tender. I had a fantastic friend who was a WIC peer counselor that helped us fight through her nursing strike. I was able to push through that and she nursed until I got pregnant with my son when she was 14 months old. With my son I had very few struggles until I got pregnant with this baby. I have been so uncomfortable and nursing can be challenging some days, he however seems to have no intention of quitting.

What do you think we could do to encourage more people to nurse their babies? Simply just seeing a woman nursing her baby can open up their eyes to the beauty and normality of it all! Provide as much support as possible to your friends who are choosing to breastfeed their children and providing resources for those who do not have the support. Even in the WIC program the resources really aren’t there and it makes me sad to see so many moms become discouraged because they feel it is shameful, more difficult or less healthy than formula. Any time I see a nursing mother I am sure to offer her a smile of encouragement. One of the most boosting things for me was having a stranger tell me well done while I was nursing my son in public. It gave me confidence and it reminded me that there really are people who do care about people succeeding!

Where do you feel the most comfortable nursing? Pretty much anywhere! I haven’t found too many spaces that I am not comfortable nursing my child. If he gets hurt, I nurse him. If he just needs mama, I nurse him. I don’t care where I am.

Where do you feel the most uncomfortable nursing? Not many places. Usually just around extremely modest people. I hate using a cover! It’s so hot and my babies always heavily sweat, so it isn’t comfortable for them either.

As an advocate for breastfeeding, what would you like to tell people? Don’t give up! It really does get easier. Find people to support you and explore all of your options. Sometimes it is hard but eventually it passes and you find what works best for you and your baby. If you can find a great support system, struggles become so much easier. I also feel it is so important to encourage mothers when you see them breastfeeding. Something as simple as a smile can go a long way in making it become widely accepted and normal in the eyes of the public.

Ashley

How long have you been breastfeeding? I’ve been breastfeeding since my daughter was born. She will be 4 this July.

What made you decide to breastfeed? I’ve always done things that have been considered more “natural” so breastfeeding was an obvious choice it seemed to ME. I wasn’t breastfed and didn’t know anyone at the time except for one friend who breastfed but it just seemed right for us. Not to mention the health benefits, convenience and the fact that its free!

As an advocate for breastfeeding, what would you like to tell people? This is a tough one. Because I feel like there is SO much to say! Find someone who has breastfed or a lactation consultant when you are starting out-even if its going well because at some point you’ll have questions and having a knowledgeable person can make or break your breastfeeding journey if you come across an issue. Also, people who breastfeed are just trying to feed their kids the same as those who use a bottle. Its upsetting ad stressful as a breastfeeding mom, ESPECIALLY a new mother, to anguish over finding a “safe” place to feed her infant for fear of being approached by a complete stranger who is offended by the three inches of her breast she spotted.

What struggles did you have in the early days of breastfeeding?  The struggles I encountered early on with breastfeeding were only with my daughter and fortunately not both of my children. The lactation consultant at the hospital where she was born didn’t work weekends and my daughter was born on a Saturday. I was 24 and knew NOTHING about breastfeeding. I was armed with a fierce determination to breastfeed though and I know that’s what got me through the engorgement, sore nipples and supply issues. She wouldn’t latch because I was so engorged and her latch hurt. I eventually called the hospital lactation consultant and had a visit with her where she helped me correct my latch and supply issue.

What do you think we could do to encourage more women to nurse their babies?  Make breastfeeding more mainstream! I understand mothers have to use formula for various reasons and obviously That’s OK. But somewhere along the lines in our oversexed american culture it became almost taboo and inappropriate to breastfeed in public. Meaning less women see it being done, children certainly aren’t seeing it if their parents aren’t and its almost hush hush and people don’t know where to ask questions or get CORRECT helpful breastfeeding help from.

Why do you think society fears something that has been around since the beginning of time? I’m confused by this as well. And I honestly don’t know because I never feared it. That probably makes me somewhat naive to not be able to understand that side fully but I just don’t to be honest. I believe that (most)fears stem from ignorance. So, that is probably no different in this case. I’m sure I will have some people tell me that they don’t agree with my comments in this project or my pictures even, and that’s OK. Its all part of helping to normalize breastfeeding and educate people.

At what age do you think women should stop nursing? Women should stop breastfeeding when they and their child are ready. That varies for each family. According to the World Health Organization the average weaning age is closer to 4.5 YEARS OLD and in our country the weaning age is somewhere between 3-6 months. That’s a HUGE gap. So, I say wean when you are ready.

Would you ever consider milk sharing? Donating, receiving, wet nursing? I would definitely consider milk sharing. In fact, I have. Its something I’d do again in a heartbeat. Babies gotta eat! I had a nice sized freezer stash that I was working in for a donation but it got unplugged. That was a sad day.

What is it like to tandem nurse? Tandem nursing is so many things. My tandem breastfeeding is coming to an end but it has helped in aiding my children to bond-especially post partum. It can also be exhausting and definitely not for everyone. But I am glad that I was able to nourish my daughter for this long in so many ways.