| August is world breastfeeding month and this is Lilyta Photography's second year participating in Leilani Roger's Public Breastfeeding Awareness Project #PBAP2015! For the first week of August, over 70 photographers nationally and abroad joined together to help spread public breastfeeding awareness one photo at a time. This project is a wonderful opportunity to capture some images of mothers nursing their babies in public settings in hopes to return to the days where it was accepted by society, and women didn't feel they had to be ashamed. Not only do we document wonderful nursing mothers and their children, but show to the world the true beauty of breastfeeding. This is something that not only pertains to nursing mothers, but every member of society. If we can help others understand why they have mixed feelings about public breastfeeding, perhaps we can do away with the stigma that breasts are soley for sexual and aesthetic purposes. Our Creator designed breasts primarily for feeding and comforting babies. As a nursing mother myself, this is a cause I am deeply immersed in, and grateful for the opportunity to be a part of such a meaningful effort. So I hope you'll enjoy the images below, I captured around town, the personal statements, stories and emotions shared by every mother on their breastfeeding journey. Please take a moment to read other mother's testimonials on the Public breastfeeding awareness page. #normalizebreastfeeding |  |
Meeting and reuniting with other nursing mothers has been incredible while working on this project. Another beautiful aspect has been the community that is created, and businesses that have warmly welcomed and supported our mission to normalize breastfeeding. Breastmilk provides a number of nutritional advantages beginning at birth and continuing throughout a child's life. There is valuable information about breastfeeding on the World Health Organization website. I'm so thankful to be able to go to my local Whole Foods in Davie for my groceries, quick lunch or fun events with my kids. The team members there were so hospitable, and it's no secret it's my favorite place to shop, so I was more than happy to shoot amongst the heirloom tomatoes and food bar :)
Beth and her daughter, Emily (19 months) is returning participant. You can see her beautiful images on the beach from last year's PBAP2014.
"In the last 6 years, nursing my babies has been a beautiful part of my life. For me, nursing is so much more than just feeding my baby. It is a way to connect and find calmness in what can be a busy world with 3 little ones." -Beth (mother of 3)
"In the last 6 years, nursing my babies has been a beautiful part of my life. For me, nursing is so much more than just feeding my baby. It is a way to connect and find calmness in what can be a busy world with 3 little ones." -Beth (mother of 3)
I met Alexandra and her kiddos at the library earlier this year, and I was thrilled she participated with her very happy little girl (7 months).
"What an incredible experience breastfeeding represents for both mommy and baby! Closeness, bond, comfort, development, provision of all that they need to grow healthy human beings in the first few years of life... A beautiful gift, meant just for us, women. I feel very blessed God allowed me to experience this and hope it gives my children a healthy start, both physical and emotional. This is also good training of what motherhood encompasses because it requires patience, sacrifice, being consistent, always available, self-controlled etc. So this is really just the beginning of a wonderful and exciting adventure!" - Alexandra (mother of 2)
"What an incredible experience breastfeeding represents for both mommy and baby! Closeness, bond, comfort, development, provision of all that they need to grow healthy human beings in the first few years of life... A beautiful gift, meant just for us, women. I feel very blessed God allowed me to experience this and hope it gives my children a healthy start, both physical and emotional. This is also good training of what motherhood encompasses because it requires patience, sacrifice, being consistent, always available, self-controlled etc. So this is really just the beginning of a wonderful and exciting adventure!" - Alexandra (mother of 2)
"When I embarked on our breastfeeding journey, I didn't expect it would be such a difficult start, but what I definitely didn't expect was how life changing breastfeeding would be! I became very passionate about helping other moms and it definitely made me stronger, more empathetic and it helped me trust my instincts so much! I'm blessed to give this gift to my children and to share my journey along other moms." - Laura (mother of 2)
"I fulfill many roles in my life-- daughter, wife, friend, LLL (La Leche League) Leader-- but one of the most important is mother to my children and what is in their best interest is my priority. My family is my sun, moon and stars and breastfeeding has given me the ability to give my girls the best possible start in life." -Christine (mother of 2)
Having a support system while breastfeeding during the early months is so important. I've met wonderful women that not only breastfeed their own children but actively extend their help and knowledge to others and give them the encouragement they need to have the best nursing experience. Groups like La Leche League and local breastfeeding groups on Facebook have allowed women to connect and create community.
There are informative websites that also help address the effects of substance abuse on breastfeeding. If you are someone you know needs help in this area, please visit HERE and read the information provided by Dr. W. Keenan and Dr. D Cohen.
"Nursing my son has been one of the most fulfilling experiences that I have ever known as a woman as well as one of the greatest gifts I’ll ever be able to give him – health, confidence, safety. Plus, it’s ours, a special world that only he and I know. " - Emily (mother of 1)
Sometimes pumping breastmilk is necessary for a variety of reasons. Breastfeeding awareness week/month is about celebrating women and also calls for a concerted global action to support women to combine breastfeeding and work. Whether a mother has exclusively pumped, exclusively breastfed, nursed for 1 day, 1 year or 5 years, the goal is to normalize it and support one another. Often times being an advocate means some will mistaken your drive for being against the choices of other mothers. I am one to celebrate and encourage the things that I love. That is my only goal.
"Nursing my 4 year old has come naturally to the two of us, but not without a few struggles. Certainly, there were blissful moments of nursing my child, but there was also that bout of mastitis that left me weak and second guessing my decision to continue. Needless to say, not many moms that I met were supportive of my decision to nurse a toddler either, but we were determined. There is utterly nothing wrong with breastfeeding a toddler. To all the mamas out there doing the same I just wanted to tell you that there is no shame in doing what's right for your child. The best thing you can do is to continue to nurse your baby until he/she is ready to wean. Ignore the bad (and often unsolicited) advice, ignore the snarky comments... We all know that our kids won't be nursing at their high school graduation or wedding. Thank you to my peanut for being my darling nursling all these wonderful years and to my wonderful husband and family for their amazing support. It's made all the difference for me. " (MK, mother of 1)
The Chillbar is located at the Yellow Green Farmers Market open every weekend. Locally grown produce, wheatgrass, and homemade goods.
"Nursing my 7 month old in public is a necessity so that I can get out with my social 3 year old that is learning about the world all around her" - Alexandra (mother of 2)
I met Alexandra and her daughter at a local coffee shop that has an excellent selection of organic fair trade coffee/tea and holistic supplements. Your Big Picture Cafe
I met Alexandra and her daughter at a local coffee shop that has an excellent selection of organic fair trade coffee/tea and holistic supplements. Your Big Picture Cafe
Gabriella is a second year participant. You can see you photo from last year here
Gabriella is a dear friend and a second year participant in PBAP. Last year she nursed her almost 3 year old while expecting her son. Her photo was published on a Popsugar article "38 Timeless Photos of Moms Breastfeeding Their Children at Every Stage". I was thrilled to have 3 of my mommies featured amongst the beautiful images in the gallery.
"Breastfeeding my babies has been the first few notes of a song, the first few pages of a book, a love story wrought with sacrifice, battles and victories. The story of raising up a child, an active participant in forming a world you and I might never get to see. I want to share the beauty of that story with the world. To make this world a little brighter, to show hope for the next generation, to remind the world the subtle beauty of nature, of God's design, so that one day, my daughter can experience that beautiful connection, hear her very own song, as she looks down at her suckling babe, and not have to wonder if the world can see it too. I won't see the end of this story, but I was here for the beginning... and that is more than enough." -Gabriella (mother of 2)
"The decision to nurse my baby was an easy one...she is my third and final baby and I wanted our bond to be a strong one. I didn't know if I would last 1 week or 1 month, but I knew that I would take it just one day at a time. Here we are 4 months later and still going strong. I am her lifeline, just as much as she is mine. We have created a bond that doesn't need any words, and that in itself is powerful." - Evelyn (mother of 3)
"If you told me I would be doing this 3 years ago I would have looked at you like your head was screwed on backwards. Heck, if you told me that when she was 3 weeks old and I was on the brink of giving up I maybe would have considered punching you in the face. I did not grow up around breastfeeding. I did not have a clue what I was getting into, in fact I started because my ex husband wanted me to do it to save money while I was out of work on maternity leave.
After dealing with a rough c section recovery, a large birthweight drop, jaundice, a tongue tie, and supplementing with formula for 3 weeks, I met an amazing group of moms at a local La Leche League. Their support and finding Facebook groups for 24/7 nursing mom help saved our breastfeeding relationship.
6 months later my husband told me we were getting divorced. I can't explain how much breastfeeding helped me to get through some very tough days and nights. That bond with my baby and the oxytocin was such a comfort to keep me going.
More than 2 years later I am happy and my daughter is happy and amazingly we still have a nursing relationship. It is generally just once a night for bed and a bit more on weekend mornings, but I am cherishing these fleeting moments.
Noelle and I still attend La Leche League meetings most months. Now we support other moms, recently including Noelle's sister's mom (yes, that would be my ex-husband's girlfriend), and I look forward to meeting someone that I could have more babies with in the future. For now it is me and my girl...and my (or her) boobies ." - Jennifer (mother of 1)
After dealing with a rough c section recovery, a large birthweight drop, jaundice, a tongue tie, and supplementing with formula for 3 weeks, I met an amazing group of moms at a local La Leche League. Their support and finding Facebook groups for 24/7 nursing mom help saved our breastfeeding relationship.
6 months later my husband told me we were getting divorced. I can't explain how much breastfeeding helped me to get through some very tough days and nights. That bond with my baby and the oxytocin was such a comfort to keep me going.
More than 2 years later I am happy and my daughter is happy and amazingly we still have a nursing relationship. It is generally just once a night for bed and a bit more on weekend mornings, but I am cherishing these fleeting moments.
Noelle and I still attend La Leche League meetings most months. Now we support other moms, recently including Noelle's sister's mom (yes, that would be my ex-husband's girlfriend), and I look forward to meeting someone that I could have more babies with in the future. For now it is me and my girl...and my (or her) boobies ." - Jennifer (mother of 1)
Jennifer is also a second year participant. Last year I met her and her amazing little girl, Noelle at the beach. Her photo was featured on a Popsugar article "38 Timeless Photos of Moms Breastfeeding Their Children at Every Stage" . Clike here to see it and the other published photos.
"When I first started nursing, I had no support besides my husband. Upon returning to work some co-workers criticized some of my decisions and had an issue with me storing my sealed pumped milk in the office refrigerator. Even my own family wasn't supportive and shamed me for nur...sing my child in public, suggesting I hide in the bathroom. I was so glad to have met other natural minded mothers, the support is just so uplifting and inspiring. I'm forever grateful for my husband being so supportive in everything I do for our baby, and it warms my heart that I am now confident and can nurse my child when ever she needs to be fed." - Angie (mother of 1)
I got together with some of the participants of the Public Breastfeeding Awareness Project a couple weeks ago. Some of these mamas I have known for years, and others I met while working on this cause. Everyone has planted a seed of hope in our society, and I will cherish the friendships I fostered along the way! It was a sweet opportunity and truly an honor to be in this photo with these wonderful women with different backgrounds united in one common goal. Many thanks to my assistant for getting this shot! #nursinginreallife #breastfeedinginreallife #breastfeedingisbeautiful #supportpublicbreastfeeding #thisisnormal #pbap2015
My husband took this awesome shot at the McKinley monument while we were visiting in Canton, OH this summer. The following images are few of my own nursling (now 21 months) taken at various times in different locations, mostly taken by my assistant.
The Public Breastfeeding Awareness Project was once again a success this year, and I hope I was able to show some people that breastfeeding in public is not obscene or immodest. It is a necessity, for the well being of the mother and baby. In a country that screams equality and tolerance, we should extend the same to mothers that were endowed with this right by the Creator Himself. It's ok for a mother to use her breasts for their intended purpose. No one should ...have to hide in a public bathroom, sit in a car, or be forced to wear a hot blanket in the summer heat. I'm so happy with all the positive feedback and excited to have helped some mothers feel encouraged. And with all things parenting related, this is not a "me vs you" battle, but rather my way to get past warped societal views and hopefully not just show you what I see behind my lens, but what I live and love everyday."
-Lily (mother of 2)
The Public Breastfeeding Awareness Project was once again a success this year, and I hope I was able to show some people that breastfeeding in public is not obscene or immodest. It is a necessity, for the well being of the mother and baby. In a country that screams equality and tolerance, we should extend the same to mothers that were endowed with this right by the Creator Himself. It's ok for a mother to use her breasts for their intended purpose. No one should ...have to hide in a public bathroom, sit in a car, or be forced to wear a hot blanket in the summer heat. I'm so happy with all the positive feedback and excited to have helped some mothers feel encouraged. And with all things parenting related, this is not a "me vs you" battle, but rather my way to get past warped societal views and hopefully not just show you what I see behind my lens, but what I live and love everyday."
-Lily (mother of 2)
I was really drawn to Swoon's mural at Wynwood, the pinks and sweetness of nursing a baby along with the rawness of the aging generations beside her. Last year I had a picture taken at another mural, my 2 have certainly grown since then. At this time next year, I'm not sure if I'll still have a nursling, but I'm thankful for this time, and enjoying my two kids at every stage.
I hope you will pin and share these images!
Follow me on Instagram for behind the scene photos and other fun shares! Lilyta_Photography
To see more #PBAP2015 images, please visit Amanda Jackson Photography from Austin, TX
I hope you will pin and share these images!
Follow me on Instagram for behind the scene photos and other fun shares! Lilyta_Photography
To see more #PBAP2015 images, please visit Amanda Jackson Photography from Austin, TX
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