Public Breastfeeding Awareness Project 2017 | Northern Virginia Breastfeeding Photographer

“He has pushed himself to the point of exhaustion more times than I can count because he knows without sleep my supply will diminish. He washes my pump parts and prepares my bag for work each day. He stands outside the car while I pump to give me a semblance of privacy. He walks in front of me through store isles and repositions covers that fall at dinner. He encourages me to give what I can when my supply can’t keep up with the demands of a growing child.⠀
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He unapologetically supports me in feeding our children in the best way I can at any moment in time, even when that means supplementing or weaning early. ⠀
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This is our child and this is our feeding journey.” – Abigail E.

“Audrey was diagnosed with a life-threatening immune disorder (HLH) the week after her first birthday and received a bone marrow transplant in February 2016. I started weaning her right before she became sick but decided that now was not the time for major changes and we were going to just focus on getting our little girl better…boy was that the right call! I ended up breastfeeding Audrey through doctor’s appointments, blood draws, many failed IV attempts, echocardiograms, before and after major surgical procedures, during chemo treatments and during the actual bone marrow transplant itself. I was even able to pump in the hospital and have my milk given to Audrey through a feeding tube during the absolute worst of days when she couldn’t eat or drink anything and needed a morphine pump because the mouth sores from the harsh chemo drugs were so insanely terrible. Never in my life did I think I would breastfeed this long but I couldn’t be more proud of the two of us. Audrey is doing extremely well and I know that our journey is coming to an end but I will continue to enjoy this special time while it lasts.” – Jen B.

“I never thought about breastfeeding before I had kids. I would baby-sit other people’s babies and feed them formula or warm up previously pumped milk but it never really occurred to me what I was doing. When my husband and I got pregnant with our first child, that (obviously) changed. I went from not knowing anything to wanting to know everything I possibly could. #LilRasp came into this world and the moment she was laid on my chest, I just knew that I wanted to do the best I could to give her the best (milk) for as long as I could. It wasn’t easy. I ended up breast-feeding her until she was 14 months old. When she turned 2, we got pregnant with our second child. #LilLentil came into the world and I knew, again, that I wanted to give him the best that I could for as long as I could. One day, while I was breastfeeding him, my daughter was playing ‘family’ when she announced that her baby doll was hungry. She proceeded to climb up on the bed where I was nursing her brother, grabbed one of my nursing pillows and nursed her baby doll next to me. It occurred to me that she was imitating me but, also, that this was normalizing breastfeeding for her (at such a young age)! Breastfeeding my son became a bonding time not just for him and I but also for her and I. Both times that I’ve breastfed have been fraught with problems from clogged milk ducts, mastitis, latching problems, lip ties (that I did not have snipped or lasered), jaundice (at first), popping issues, etc. but what I discovered is that you are not alone! I cannot emphasize this enough! So many other women have gone before you and can help, give advice, be there to hold your hand and/or encourage you. I am so thankful for the community that I have that supported me and continues to support me!” – Amelia S.

“I recently had my fourth child. Three normal, healthy, full-term pregnancies and three separate times of feeling like nursing them was really hard but necessary. The fourth baby, Ashley, arrived almost 6 weeks early and spent 11 days in the NICU. Recovering in the hospital, most women have their babies with them in their room and bond with them in large part with nursing. I spent my time in my recovery room with an alarm set to go off every three hours and a hospital grade breast pump. Ashley spent her time in an isolette trying to gain weight, learn how to regulate her body temperature and get her jaundice under control. My other babies had me to take care of them, but Ashley largely relied on the amazing NICU nurses at Reston Hospital to take care of her.” – Justine K., part 1 of 3

“The lactation consultant came to visit with me while I was still in the hospital and we talked about Ashley being in the NICU. After about 15 minutes of talking she looked at me and said “If I’m hearing you, it sounds like you’re concerned about being able to keep up your supply.” I burst into tears and nodded. In that moment, I realized how much nursing meant to me.
When I would go visit Ashley in the NICU, I would try to nurse her. After a few minutes of trying, however, she would fall asleep because nursing is a workout for preemies! Ultimately, I would end up feeding her a warmed up bottle because it was easier for her and she would get the food that she needed to get bigger and stronger. When I was discharged without her, I cannot explain the feeling of emptiness that I felt. I went to stay with my parents so that I could be closer to her, and one day I told my mom that I might drive to the hospital at 11pm so that I could feed her. My mom was confused as to why I would do that instead of sleep, so I told her this: “I am not in control of anything in this situation. I can’t control her weight, I can’t control her jaundice, I can’t control how long she has to stay in the NICU, but I CAN control my breast milk and supply, so that is what I’ll do.” – Justine K., part 2 of 3

“I know that nursing isn’t always easy. I know that sometimes it’s just not possible. But for me, pumping and nursing is what helped to create a bond with Ashley when she spent so much of her time in an isolette away from me. After she was released from the NICU, I realized how much I cherish our time together when I nurse her. That is why I was so ready and willing to have Blaire document me nursing her for PBAP. I am happy that I was able to breastfeed all of my children but with Ashley, it felt like an especially amazing gift.” – Justine K., part 3 of 3

“My first child was stillborn. I birthed him, I held him. Of the thousands of things I never got to do for him, nursing was but one. So much had gone wrong, but my body didn’t know otherwise. When my milk came in, it felt like pain on top of pain, right there over my broken heart. For days, I sat with ice packs on my chest, right there over my broken heart.
We don’t know so much about our bodies until we can get pregnant—or we can’t, until we can take home our babies—or we can’t, until we can nurse—or we can’t, for whatever reason. I learned that my body produces milk. I hoped that one day I would be able to give it to a living child of mine.
When she was born, we had trouble nursing. My breasts were so engorged that she couldn’t latch well. We needed help. We needed nipple shields and breast pumps and bottles. We both cried, but we figured it out together. It worked best lying down, so I nursed mostly at home. I got mastitis early on, and then again and again and again. Somehow, we soldiered on, she and I. When we finally weaned, I was unprepared for how hard it would be, physically, emotionally, and hormonally. We had done so much to start and keep going, and then we had to learn to stop.
When my second daughter was born, she latched. My infection mostly stayed away. We had the experience of it I dreamed about. She is 15 months and we are still nursing, neither one of us quite ready to let go. To me, nursing is a lifeline—to the babies I grew. To my child in the dark after she cries, our fingers reaching out to the other, our bodies once more connected. I have nursed her whenever and wherever she needs.
In my motherhood and all its forms, I have become more grounded, less worried about the opinions of others. I am most at ease, here with my third baby in my arms, my body able to give and give and give.” – Jennifer P.

“I’m honored that we can help normalize what feels like such a normal part of life — eating, nurturing, and bonding.” – Jennifer P.

“On June 23, I received an email that changed our families’ world. It was the genetic results of my baby with whom I was only 10 week pregnant at the time. We found out that the baby was a GIRL and that she had a 99.99% chance of T21 abnormality. At that moment of shock my one plea to God was that I could breastfeed my daughter. I had just stopped nursing my 15 month old son, and I already missed the warm snuggles. I didn’t know at the time how substantial it would benefit our daughter to breastfeed and how many doctors would tell me to not expect that of her. Shortly after the Down syndrome diagnosis was received we also learned that like 50% of ALL Ds children, she would also have congenital heart disease. I kept praying, I was desperate for a way to connect to my daughter that I was already terrified of not loving because I assumed she would be different.” – Dana L., part 1 of 2

“Much to my surprise, arriving on her own 4 weeks early, with not one but three major heart defects and yes, Down syndrome she successfully breastfed within one minute after birth. I was so amazed and madly in love with my little girl. I had thought I knew everything about her, because of what doctors told me. Right out of the gate she showed me that should exceed my expectations at every turn. My Emma nursed exclusively thru a 2 week NICU stay, 2 complicated cardiac caths and 1 major open heart surgery. Her occupational therapists believe that nursing has improved what some DS kids commonly are prone to as a tongue thrust. Thru breastfeeding, my daughter has strengthened her mouth muscle which will benefit her in speech and tongue control and more importantly it has created our bond and taught me to NEVER limit my daughter again. She is #Emmastrong! #CHDWARRIOR #morealikethandifferent” – Dana L., part 2 of 2

“I feel that women’s breast/bodies have been so sexualized that doing what they were made to do – feeding our babies is now seen as something that we need to cover or hide. Or do “at home”. I want to show the world how natural and beautiful, not sexual feeding your child with your milk is. I want to show them what that looks like uncovered.” – Amy S.

“I was the girl who was afraid to eat in the cafeteria alone. I was the girl who hated being in a room full of people. I was full of fear! Controlled by what people might say. Afraid to stand. I didn’t know who I was or what I stood for. Being bullied by “friends”. Lol…..That was then, this is now. Today is a true testament to who God is shaping and molding me to be. I have heard some of the WORST remarks concerning my personal decisions. I realized that I was letting others’ thoughts of me control my decisions. I was honored again to partake in the Public Breastfeeding Awareness Project to step outside those mental chains, and break free. Last year, was the first step, but it was a private one. This year, she helped me publicly and boldly make a statement. Thank you Blaire! You truly were a vital instrument in my growth!” – Crystal H.