Breastfeeding is Beautiful Campaign

We recently had honor of working with nine amazing women to capture different variates and durations of breastfeeding (I even stepped back in front of the camera myself!). Within these sessions we were able to freeze such magical moments in time and share some breathtaking stories: brand new babies still struggling with latch, toddler nursing antics, tandem nursing challenges, exclusive pumping, insufficient glandular tissue and breastfeeding support equipment such as supplemental nursing systems, breastfeeding children with special needs, transitioning a baby from tube fed to breast fed, providing breast milk for older, non-nursing children, changed perspectives and so much more. Whether a nursing relationship was smooth and intuitive or full of hiccups along the way, the diversity and commonalities between these women's journeys is so striking and so wonderful. We hope that by sharing images and stories such as these, we help to push the normalization and education of breastfeeding and breastfeeding experiences further. We hope, above all else, to celebrate the beauty in these variations.

Pictured, in order are (follow the links to their individual breastfeeding stories):

Claudette Garcia and Zakai (2 years old) | http://4thtrimesterbodies.com/claudette-garcia-2/

Susanne Angerer and Coraline (2.5 years old) | http://4thtrimesterbodies.com/susanne-angerer/

Leah Lichy and Ireland (5 months) | http://4thtrimesterbodies.com/leah-lichey

Megan Shaklee and Teddy (10 weeks) | http://4thtrimesterbodies.com/megan-shaklee-2/

Hillary Scharmann, Holden (22 months) and Holiday (2 months) | http://4thtrimesterbodies.com/hillary-scharmann-2/

Mariann McKeever and Malachi (16 months) | http://4thtrimesterbodies.com/mariann-mckeever/

Mayra Buitron and Flor (22 months) | http://4thtrimesterbodies.com/mayra-buitron/

Ashley Williams and Garth (19 months) | http://4thtrimesterbodies.com/ashley-williams-2/

Ashlee Wells Jackson and Nova (31 months) | http://4thtrimesterbodies.com/ashlee-wells-jackson-2/

Christine Juliani, Eden (3.5 years) and Iris (11 months) | http://4thtrimesterbodies.com/christine-juliani/

Breastfeeding is Beautiful

We recently had the honor of working with 9 local women in addition to myself to capture different variations and durations of breastfeeding. There are many issues that we have had the mission of addressing via this project and many more that have come up along the way. The normalization of breastfeeding is something that still has a long way to come. And amongst those who accept it we often find that they do so with conditions. You've heard the statements before- "I'm supportive of breastfeeding but...",  "I think Breastfeeding is great if...." And we find all too often that even amongst breastfeeding moms - those who pump exclusively, supplement with formula, or use donor milk don't feel that they count or assume they're "not really" breastfeeding. The United States rates and durations of breastfeeding are so much lower than the rest of the entire world. We hope to see all of this change. We hope that someday none of this matters. That women are able to feed their babies whenever and wherever they may be without shame or stigma. That women can nurse their babies for 3 months or 3 years (or whatever number fits!) with support. That whether you nurse directly, partially, pump exclusively, use donor milk, supplement with formula, use bottles or supplemental nursing systems you can be proud and know with certainty you're doing the very best you can for you and yours. We are so happy to celebrate the fact that all variations and durations of breastfeeding are beautiful!