My first attempt at blogging..... and it's about breastfeeding!

My first attempt at blogging and I'm hopping on a soap box already!

Today is International Women's Day and that has brought up the question of whether or not pictures of or depicting breastfeeding are obscene. As a breastfeeding Mom, I feel very strongly on this issue. It was not easy for me to breastfeed Asher in the beginning. It took a couple extra days for my milk to come in due to my c-section, we had issues with proper latching, and then Asher was casted to correct his club feet when he was just 1 week old. I struggled, and cried (a lot) in the beginning and was devastated when we had to supplement in the beginning because Asher was losing too much weight. I felt like a failure. Fortunately I had a lot of great support. My wonderful husband, Preston, was behind me 100%. My Mom was with me and helped me try different techniques. I went to lactation support groups and met with lactation nurses. Finally, Asher started to latch properly, my nipples stopped being so raw, and he started to put on weight. I can't explain the feeling I had the first time he latched properly and drank until he fell asleep on my breast... it was amazing. I felt like a real Mom.

Breastfeeding in public is a whole other experience entirely! For the inexperienced Mom it can be terrifying. We have great tools now, like hooter hiders and other cutely named shields, but babies move and the wind can pick up without warning... in other words, your boobs could be on display at any moment. It takes time to become comfortable with this, and it would help a lot if society would back us.

I feel very strongly that breastfeeding is the best choice for our babies, but I also respect women's right to choose what is right for them and their families. I believe that the most important aspect to a successful breastfeeding Mom is the support of those around her. When I hear about issues like the Mom that was kicked out of a Chick-Fil-A for breastfeeding her baby, or Facebook deleting pictures and/or profiles of breastfeeding mothers, I get angry! I applaud the hundreds of women who returned to Chick-Fil-A to breastfeed in protest! I applaud my fellow facebookers who have posted profile pictures depicting breastfeeding. It is not obscene, it is beautiful, and natural, and our God Given Right.