Happy National Breastfeeding Week!
Meet Linnea & Josh! I first met these two when they were expecting their first born child, and we had setup Maternity photos. From the very first conversation I fell in love with their pure and kind hearts. If you know them personally, you know just what I mean. Their laugh and smiles for one another were absolutely genuine. As a couple who has been together for so many years already, to see that kind of support and care with one another, was just a joy to be around.
We had chatted a lot about becoming a first time mom, the expectations and of course the worries. Our conversations kept circling back to nursing, and that her every intention was to do that for Maverick when he was born.
A Few weeks later they were blessed with a beautiful handsome boy, and has asked me to come over and capture some of their new moments as parents. Of course I said yes!
Linnea was hesitant in asking me to do some nursing shots, and I had responded to her in I think a suprprising way. You see, I myself nursed to, both my boys infact. However that was already over 9 years ago, I do remember the struggle, the judgement, the postpartum and all of the wonderfully tricky things to come along with the beautiful experience. I was lucky in a way, I would call it a double edged sword! Social Media was not even close to the influence on my life then as it is on everyone's today. I see that as a positive and a negative. Of course their are so many online groups for supportive mothers, nursing clinics, and threads you can vent and ask for help on.... But their is another side to all of that to.
A constant reminder from the public on whom you should be, what you should do, and what kind of mother you are ( or aren't ). How tough is that? I mean seriously, stop and think for a second... How TOUGH IS THAT?
A world we wake up to, and for each scroll of our finger comes another wave of judgement of emotion the passes through us, shapes our self reflection, and influences our very own beliefs.
How do you step up and beyond that? I guess it's a choice if nothing else. You must choose what you take in, what has credibility, and what you will do your very best at scimming over. That's much easier said then done. If everything we ever did was simply a choice, commercials ( and the power of influence ) wouldn't exisit.
Okay, okay, I am getting all philosophical now, which was definitely not my intention. I agreed to do a nursing bit, not to tell you the reader the absolutely BREAST IS BEST, because sometimes, it just isn't. What my goal was for this, is to show how you can be proud of your choices, your life, and be exactly whom you choose, without the stigma around it. As a woman, a mother, and a photographer, I support your choice, without judgement, or reserve, and I to will empower you!
Let's bring each other up, not break each-other down:)
If you are lucky to have a supportive partner like Linnea has Josh, that will be of a huge help in your journey as a mother.
Your life, Your Family
Your Heart, Your Choice
Remember, just DO YOU! Do what works for your family, your life, and please... try to filter out the rest, because those people you don't know.. they don't even matter do they?
Cheers!
-Amy