Friday, August 3, 2012

More Milk, Please :: Happy World Breastfeeding Week.

Sometimes I get these ideas in my head. Ideas that I must execute immediately. Ideas that, often times, are a bit out of the ordinary. God bless my sweet husband for listening to me and being patient with me. Bless him for heeding my annoying demands, my barking orders and helping me bring my latest crazy idea to fruition. 


In case you didn't know, it's currently World Breastfeeding Week. If you've been reading ILYMTC since the birth of Carter, you would know that my breastfeeding journey with him wasn't very long. From the beginning I felt pressured to breastfeed him and had downright terrible experiences with the lactation consultants in the hospital. I was grateful to make it four months and at the same time I was also very, very relieved at the conclusion of our journey. Let it be known that I wouldn't change my feeding journey with Carter one bit- from nursing him to formula feeding, it was the journey that worked the best for the both of us at the time.


It's no secret that my journey with Maclane has been vastly different. Maclane is an all around different baby and I, a more patient mother. Well, most of the days. So many things are different this time. My production, my attitude, my baby. All so very different. 




I cannot express how much I cherish the time that I'm nursing Maclane. If pressed to explain why, I would imagine it's because he doesn't always have my undivided attention what with his passionate, energetic older brother running the house. But when I'm sitting down to nurse him, even when for just four or five minutes, I feel so connected to him (no pun intended)- like the most I can offer of myself to him, he has. Right there, in those moments. 




Believe me when I say this: I'm the most uncomfortable public-nurser around. In fact, I often refuse to do it outside of my house (or car) which makes outings extremely difficult those first few months. For the longest time, I was even covering up when nursing in front of my dearest friends. 


I really do believe breastfeeding is beautiful. The photographer in me believes it, the mother in me believes it. I knew this time around that I wanted to capture those moments, however brief they may be. I may only make it to four months again. I may make it longer. Only time will tell. 




In the mean time, Happy World Breastfeeding Week. 





Unfortunately, I have to close this post with the age old saying, "if you don't have anything nice to say, please keep it to yourself." 
I'm not in the mood to shovel any shit today.

62 comments :

  1. Beautiful pictures- Maybe your husband should take up photography too! I like how tastefully done they are as well.

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  2. Beautiful pictures. Although I was able to produce milk for 6 months and pump for B he never latched on. I was happy he still got my milk (with a little added preemie formula for calories) but pumping for so long, man I was so happy to be done with the pump!!! It's evil!!! LOL.

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  3. Beautiful post. If you would have told me a year ago that I would still be breast feeding my soon to be 12 month old, I who I'd have laughed. But I agree wholeheartedly that it's an incredible way to have a quiet time with your little one even if there is a whirlwind around you.

    I'm still not completely comfortable nursing in public...we've mastered the art of feeding a 26 lb, 32 in toddler in the car.

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  4. First of all- you are beautiful and these pictures are incredible!! Secondly- you know you will always have my support with breastfeeding...there is an almost two year old around this way that nursed until 14 months, so kudos to you mama and you look like such a natural!! XOXO

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  5. I love this! It is just beautiful and I'm so glad nursing is better this time aroun with sweet Maclane! You are such a wonderful (and gorgeous!) mama, and I'm so glad M got these pics for you!

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  6. This post is SO beautiful! My breastfeeding journey with Parker didn't last very long either and it was a very difficult road... I am hoping this time with this little mister that my journey will be similar to yours and that it will work out! It makes me so happy to read your story! :)

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  7. The pictures are beautiful!

    I am also not a public nurser, not unless you count inside a fitting room as public. Nursing to me is such a special connection with my baby.

    Nursing my first was such a struggle in the beginning. She wouldn't latch and I was literally attached to the pump for 4 weeks. We did get lucky and she finally latched and I was able to nurse for a whole year.

    I am due any day now with my 2nd and I am hoping that this go 'round will be much better since I have a little bit of an idea how things are done.

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  8. You're gorgeous - my goodness! I just did the math and I've breastfed nearly 18 of the last 34 months. Whew! And I'm still as modest a breastfeeder as they come. Hats off for a tasteful, beautiful, encouraging reminder today.

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  9. Beautiful photos (well done to your hubs)! They captured the sweet, natural beauty of breastfeeding (and your gorgeous hair :). I love your thoughts and confidence as a mother, as well. Wonderfully written. You've got to do what is best for each child and each Mama at the time.

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  10. How could anyone have something awful to say? this is gorgeous. I love it! I made D take breastfeeding pictures of me last time and I will absolutely do it again this time, too. I love these. I love that your journey is different, too. And holy crap--I commented on a blog, that's saying alot because I've been doing NONE of that since Lucy arrived. Feel lucky :P hehe. I kid.

    Glad it's going so well for you this time--it's so much easier for me too. Boobie cheers!

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  11. These photos are breathtaking AP! I mean, wow. As for the actual content of the post, probably one of the better breast feeding posts I've read in our blogger world. It's crazy how a breast feeding journey can vary from child to child. Glad it's going well with Maclane so far!

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  12. I love this! Beautiful photos. You look gorgeous.

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  13. Beautiful photos. You will treasure them. I had topsy turvy breast feeding experiences with both my boys. But it was so important for me to try. Looking back I wish I could have gone longer with both of them. But I tried my best and that's all that matters. I know that now.

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  14. Love this, AP! I think it's awesome you have this and wanted to take them! It really is such a beautiful and miraculous experience!

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  15. I love the pictures, you look beautiful and I'm glad BF is easier this go round.

    I'm so happy and fortunate that I've had a pretty easy time with BF and that I'm still able to do it after 7 months. I never put a timetable on it and have been taking it day by day. I would love to make it a year but even if I don't I'm happy I made it as long as I did. I also supplement with Formula so I'm not anti formula feeding either.

    I'm just pro feeding babies, I don't care how you do it :)

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  16. Absolutely beautiful pictures!

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  17. i am currently accepting donations for gorgeous Rapunzel/mermaid/Pantene hair. Please apply within.

    GORGEOUS POST!

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  18. I wish I had pictures nursing Easton when he was a baby. Those first few months were hard, so that was the last thing on my mind, but I"m so so so glad that you did this! It's beautiful Ash! And so are YOU! I'm glad that M followed your request to do this for you. I think L might have laughed at me, and I'd end up with a tripod and a remote! Ha! How ever long it lasts with you and Mac, WAY TO GO! I'm proud SO PROUD of you!

    love you!

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  19. Beautiful pictures Momma! I struggled with Mia too, so I hope that things go better the next go around.

    Glad everything is going so well!

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  20. Beautiful. I love nursing, I think it's my favorite thing about being a mom. We've been blessed with a very easy nursing relationship, we never had any pain, no latching issues, and no real supply issues. I get so sad for women who have such a hard time nursing. Not sad in a "You're a bad mom" kind of way, but in a "I wish breastfeeding could be easy for everyone and they could experience the joy that we do." You know?

    I think I might try and get my husband to take some pictures of me nursing Theodore, now. You've inspired me! :)

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  21. Stunning! Thank you for putting yourself out there. You are both gorgeous! And good job hubs!

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  22. I love everything about this post. You're a great momma!

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  23. The last picture is my favorite. You look so content to be exactly where you are in that very moment and the dress is super cute too!

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  24. I love this. It brought tears to my eyes.

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  25. These pictures are so beautiful and glad M went along! Breastfeeding is beautiful along with being hard, frustrating, painful etc. you definitely captured the beauty here!

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  26. Beautiful! Love the pics and the fact that nursing is going better for you this time around!

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  27. Love this. I had a hard time with Monroe but we pushed through several struggles to make it to a year. I'm really hoping baby #2 is easier because I know having a toddler around will be its own complication. The pictures are great. You'll be so happy to have them. I was downright prudish when I first started nursing, but finally embraced the cover because I was tired of being cooped up and could never pump an extra ounce to get out with a bottle.

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  28. These are gorgeous. I have some that my good friend took of me and G too. I cherish them!

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  29. Such beautiful and genuinely moving pictures, AP. And I salute you for having the courage to post them. High five!

    Happy Breastfeeding Week!

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  30. Beautiful post!! Beautiful pictures!! I am expecting my 3rd child early September ( hopefully sooner, ugh pregnant in the summer suuucks), and I'm excited to bf again. I couldn't with my first. Just didn't work for us. My second nursed till 16 months. I just stopped in April to give the girls a little break before this little guy comes. If you would have told me it would go for 16 months I would have laughed in your face!! I had a terrible time in the beginning. Well realty the first 6 months. I had mastitis 3 times and he had a pore latch. We finally got the hang of it and I'm so glad I stuck with it. One of the greatest things I feel like I have ever accomplished. Im looking forward to bf this one and am praying I have a better experience and we get the hang of it. It's so good for mama, baby, and the checking account! ;) I hope bf continues to go great for you and M!!

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  31. I'm not in the mood to shovel any shit will be my new saying!!

    These pics are beautiful. I wish I had more pics of me nursing my babies. I will never nurse another baby again and that makes me sad.

    I'm glad you are able to have a better experience this time around.

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  32. Beautiful, beautiful pictures! I didn't take ANY breastfeeding pic of me and Braden and I really regret it. I wasn't as into social media and didn't even think to do it or that it was "okay". I will definitely be doing it with this one, your hubby did a great job. Mine wouldn't do that for me, he rolls his eyes when I ask him to take any pics of me with my pregnancy ::eye roll::

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  33. I'm sad that you have a hard time nursing in public. I loved my nusing cover (the titty tent, ha)! I even nursed Colton, my now 2.5 year old, at my oldest son's football practices. Nobody ever knew. And if they did, they didn't say anything. LOL!

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  34. Seriously amazing and beautiful photos mama. I didn't have any nursing pics taken with Caleb but I'm definitely planning to do them with Ethan, even if they aren't this gorg ;) It's such a blessing and special time during nursing sessions, I want to be able to remember why I love it so much!

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  35. I think these are beautiful. I was only able to bf both my girls for 3 months, so we'll have to see how long I can do it this time around.

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  36. Same experience for me - A very tough time with Maggie (made it about 6 months with supplementing) and with Alex a totally different experience. I also loved nursing Alex because it was the few minutes throughout the day that I made sure to sit still & focus on her! I ended up stopping with Alex around 9 months because she was way too into seeing what Maggie was getting into to nurse! Basically the only time she would nurse was early in the morning or late at night when Maggie was sleeping so my supply went down. Those wild toddlers can be distracting!

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  37. I love this and it's tempting me to have pictures done with Quinn. Being able to breast feed for (so far) 8.5 months has been my proudest accomplishment in my motherhood journey thus far.

    So beautiful.

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  38. So wonderful. These are tempting me to do the same with Quinn. Being able to nurse him for 8.5 months (so far) has been my proudest accomplishment so far.

    Beautiful.

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  39. I agree with you 100% that it is different BF'ing the second time. It's my special time with my baby boy - he's almost 13 months and we are still nursing a few times a day. I am getting close to weaning but I will miss this special time. I cherish it too! Beautiful post!

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  40. Oh, I love it! SO BEAUTIFUL!!!

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  41. LOOOOOOOOOOOVE this post! And I'm a huge supported of bf.

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  42. LOVE this post! Thanks for sharing!! My son is almost 11 months old, I work full time and we are about to start weaning. While I will be glad to put the pump away I will be so sad to stop breastfeeding. It has been an amazing experience. I don't nurse in public either, but definitely in the car or in fitting rooms! :) So glad nursing is going better for you this time. Keep it up, momma!

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  43. What a beautiful post! Like I said on IG, I love that you captured this on film - so natural, so much the essence of motherhood.
    I know BF with Carter was so hard and I put pressure on myself too. Those first 6 weeks were horrible! But then something between me and Rhys clicked, and it was amazing every time after that. I am so glad that Maclane opened up this world for you. You look so eternally happy!
    xoxo

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  44. These are absolutely stunning, and it makes me wish so much that I had taken something like them with both my babes. You will treasure these forever and ever. I heart you so much, AP.

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  45. This was an amazing post! Those pictures are gorgeous! And for not being very comfortable nursing in public, you sure look good doing it! It's absolutely nothing to be ashamed of! It's a beautiful thing! And you and Mac look great together! These pictures were done sooo nicely! Props to the hubs!!

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  46. The pictures are absolutely bstunning!!!!

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  47. Wonderful post- I was able to nurse my son until 9 months, while working full time. I hope to be as successful nursing my second babe some day!

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  48. wonderful post. I was able to nurse my son until 9 months while working full time. I hope I have similar success with my next child!

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  49. love it momma!! way to be comfortable in your own skin...beautiful beautiful, beautiful!

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  50. love this so much. my journey with e was anything but easy and we have no pictures of me nursing her. probably because i would have been crying in every one :( but whatever. these are gorgeous. and the composition of the pictures are STUNNING. perhaps a husband/wife team?! ;)

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  51. You are awesome! Very much looking forward to a better nursing experience this time around. I definitely get what you mean about having more patience with #2.. I was completely overwhelmed with O but much more prepared this time :) ~D

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  52. Obviously I'm not a mom yet, but I truly believe this is such a beautiful post! I'm not going to lie though... breastfeeding is probably the thing I am most afraid of when I finally do have kids. I really admire you for this post! You rock, AP :)

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  53. Thank you for this beautiful post! So happy that things are easier for you this time around!

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  54. This post is beautiful, and those pictures are seriously to die for! Thank you so much for sharing such a beautiful moment between you and Maclane with us.
    I didn't make it very long with Sydney. But I remember feeding her and getting so relaxed. It was a special moment just between the two of us.

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  55. Beautiful post AP! And gorgeous photos! xoxo

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  56. So I actually read this post Friday when I was freaking out about having to potential nurse in public for the first time. Reading this and seeing that you were confident enough to take these pictures totally helped calm me down. Thanks!

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  57. Such sweet photos. I hope your nursing journey continues to be this beautiful.

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  58. Your pictures are fabulous, you look fabulous! So happy to hear your breastfeeding journey with your little one is going well. I didn't plan on breastfeeding but changed my mind in the hospital because my little mister was having tummy problems with formula and it made me so sad. So I really came into this with NO expectations, thankfully baby boy is a breastfeeding champ. we love it and I too am a totally awkward public nurser, you are not alone!

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