Breastfeeding Journey Project | Breastfeeding Awareness Month | Boise Motherhood Photographer
I had such a wonderful time celebrating Breastfeeding Awareness Month with this Breastfeeding Portrait Session. Breastfeeding portraits are one of my favorite types of motherhood portraits. There is something just so pure and beautiful about a baby at his/her mother’s breast. Of course, there are many ways to feed a baby (breast, bottle, g-tube, ng-tube) and the most important thing is that a baby is loved and nourished. I am not here to judge how anyone feeds their child, only to celebrate the beauty, struggles, and immense joy of motherhood through photography.
Keepsake Reflections provides on location breastfeeding and motherhood portrait photography services. These photos were taken in the Boise Foothills.
Ashley is one of the brave and beautiful mamas who is participating in the Breastfeeding Journey Project, a photography project I am working on to document and raise awareness about the rewards and challenges of breastfeeding. I interviewed Ashley about her breastfeeding journey and had the opportunity to take some beautiful photos of her and her darling baby girl in the Boise Foothills.
Breastfeeding photography is a wonderful way to document the special bond between mother and child.
What has been the most challenging part of your breastfeeding journey?
The most challenging part of my breastfeeding journey was sticking with it through the tongue and lip tie, which caused a lot of pain while breastfeeding. Thankfully, we were able to identify the ties with the help of a lactation consultant who came to our home. We were able to get the frenectomy and frenulectomy right away.
What is something that has surprised you along the way?
I was surprised by how difficult breastfeeding was. There is not enough education on breastfeeding and the struggles you may encounter.
Keepsake Reflections specializes in Breastfeeding and Motherhood Photography.
What type of support have you had in your breastfeeding journey?
I had a Doula who was great and referred me to a lactation consultant who came to my home and found the tongue and lip tie. I also have a close friend who strictly breastfed her son and she helped me by sharing her experiences.
Did you experience any complications while breastfeeding?
My daughter had a tongue and lip tie that required a frenectomy and frenulectomy. It caused a lot if pain to breastfeed and because she could not latch correctly, she wanted to latch all the time as she was not getting as much milk. This made me feel like I was not providing enough, although I was, but that anxiety is real. All I can say is if you see they have plenty of wet diapers you are providing enough for your baby. Once the tongue and lip tie were corrected it got better, it took a few weeks for us to get the hang of it but now we are pros!
Breastfeeding portrait sessions are intimate and fun, it’s a great way to invest in memories for yourself and your child (or children).
What has been the most rewarding part of your breastfeeding journey?
The most rewarding part of my breastfeeding journey is the bonding I have been able to do with my daughter. Also, knowing that I am giving her all the nutrients she needs through the breastmilk, which was very important to me.
What made you want to participate in the Breastfeeding Journey Project?
I wanted to be a part of this project to help other breastfeeding mommas know that it is normal to struggle and in most cases it does get better if you stick with it! Get a lactation consultant to help answer questions and know that your body was meant to do this. That is not to say that there are not circumstances that can prevent the ability to breastfeed.
The breastfeeding journey is part of the larger journey of motherhood. It’s a wonderful way to document the early days, months, and years of motherhood and of your child at that stage in life. We are happy to photograph breastfeeding newborns to toddlers and beyond.
