World Breastfeeding Week

I feel pretty strongly about breastfeeding. I was able to breastfeed both girls, Kamryn until 6 weeks and Lauryn until 6 months. I'm glad I had the experience and even with a third child I will still attempt to the do the same. Well before I had children I knew I wanted to breastfeed. Living in the States though I got many negative comments about it and only knew of maybe a handful of people who breastfed and I lived there for 22 years. So coming to New Zealand was pretty liberating and I didn't feel the need to 'hide' breastfeeding. It was a big 'odd' with Kamryn only because she was my first. But by the time Lauryn arrived, I wasn't shy lol. And it was great to not have to worry about where I was going to heat up a bottle when we were out or that we had to rush to get her back home for a bottle. I didn't have a diaper bag with Lauryn. We had a diaper and wipes in the car, no need for a bag. With each experience I learned more. Which kinda sucks cause ya wish you knew it all to begin with so you could persevere knowing it got better. I think Lauryn and I are closer because of the breastfeeding and she hardly gets sick. I really don't have anything negative to say about it. It's not easy for some and I know. My large breasts were a mission in themselves to make sure I wasn't going to suffocate the baby lol. There is discomfort from some of the first initial latching ons but then you reach a wonderful feeling about the whole thing. I remember doing a scrapbooking page about breastfeeding Kamryn. At the time (even though she was nearly a year old) it was still an emotional part for me. Six weeks wasn't when I wanted to stop, the milk wasn't there. I took numerous photos to the shop with me and my friend Jennifer said 'now remember there will be other people looking at your book so keep that in mind'. LOL, that didn't bother me. If someone was bothered by it then they could move on. It was an important time in my life.

So in honor of World Breastfeeding Week the Celebrity Baby Blog has put together a gallery of readers who have submitted their breastfeeding photos. It was very nice looking through the gallery. These are candid shots. So you aren't getting the professional pics that some mag does where you see a bit of breast and most of the baby's head. I loved looking through the gallery. Many shots almost brought me to tears, many I thought 'look at that positioning' and I really realized that a all shapes and sizes can do this. I am impressed at the women that continue past the age of one. I took mine monthly and six months was right with Lauryn. I remember breastfeeding in Kmart while walking around. I remember when mom was here and we were having ice cream at a cafe and she quickly went to shield me lol. I quickly told her that if someone had a problem with what I was doing then it was their problem, not mine. So have a wee gander at the gallery. It's very nice. And here's one that I want to share, enjoy!