My Tribute To Breastfeeding | McLachlan Studios
When I became pregnant with Owen I didn’t ask nearly enough questions about breastfeeding before he was born. I guess I just assumed that since it was natural that it would be easy. I couldn’t have been more wrong. Breastfeeding is tough, painful and sometimes very discouraging. However it does get better in time. Something I didn’t give when I first started to breastfeed him. I made it two weeks before I threw in the towel. I felt so much pressure and so over whelmed. I had always felt guilt since that day for stopping to soon and not giving it more time. He was however a better bottle formula fed baby, who would drink gallons a day!
With time I became a little older, wiser, more patient & I became more apparent of the value. I knew that the second time around I would give it my all. Like before it was tough, everyday was a struggle in the beginning. Painful, cracked nipples. Milk filling up. The after effects of labour. Exhaustion. Emotions. All a recipe for me wanting to give up… again. But I didn’t, I pushed through the restless days & nights. Every doctor visit gave me hope with the weigh in’s. Realizing how much she’s gained, felt so empowering to the point of tears.
Her precious moments would always make those stressful times magically disappear. When her sweet hands would play with my hair or she would wrap her arms around my neck. And her soft blue eyes watching me until she feel into a deep sleep into my arms. The stress, fear, panic, doubt and worries would be gone. It would be just me & her connected in the moment of pure bliss.
Initially, my goal was to make it to 1 year. I did it!! Once Ella turned 1 it was back to work for me and she started daycare. As much as I thought I would wean her then, I just couldn’t. She wouldn’t let me and I didn’t want her to go through any more stress added on top of everything else going on then. It of course slowed down a lot. Now I really know its coming to an end. With longer gaps in between feedings, now to only once a day. It’s coming to an end and on her time.
These photos are a reminder to me, of these moments and how I totally crushed my exhausting yet powerful goal. I felt extremely comfortable with my dear friend Kaylyn McLachlan who captured these moments for me. I went down both roads with my babies and I came out with the same outcome, a growing, happy precious baby who adored me!
“A baby nursing at a mother’s breast… is an undeniable affirmation of our rootedness in nature.” David Suzuki
Photography:
Keisha Lynne, xx
Beautiful post friend! You will cherish this forever <3
These photos are just stunning! Thank you for sharing. I can completely relate to your emotions surrounding nursing. Nursing my first son was so wildly different than I expected it could be. I appreciate your transparency and know mothers feeling guilty that nursing hasn\’t been the entirely blissful experience they imagined will too.
So beautiful! I breastfeed a fifteen month old and can totally relate!
Absolutely beautiful!
I love the quote you used at the end! You\’re a rockstar mama:)
I\’m so proud of you baby! You are a great mom? Love from your mom xox
You are such a great mom! Love from your mom! Xox
This is so beautiful, I\’d love to have a shoot like this. As a mom who is breastfeeding a toddler, I can soooo appreciate the beauty in this journey. Thank you for sharing!
These photos are absolutely beautiful! I only breastfed my daughter for six months but I really hope to go longer this time with my son, for the same sentiments as you expressed. My goal is a year and anything after that will be a bonus 🙂
Your daughter is adorable and I love this post! I breastfed both of my boys and it was so hard when they weaned because I missed those precious tender moments!
I love that you documented this moment in time so much. Such precious memories.
I love this. What beautiful moments to cherish forever! I nursed both my babies – the first to almost three years and the second to just after three – and I know very well how important it is to them and to us. Well done, mama. And fantastic photos, Kaylyn!