This past Saturday Hayley Stell of Hayley Stell Photography hosted a beautiful breastfeeding shoot in honor of breastfeeding mama’s. The 3rd annual World Breastfeeding Week Event featured vendors, plenty of mommies as well as supporters who attended the event.

If you would have told me that I would be here today talking to you about my breastfeeding journey I would have honestly not believed you but today I stand before you 3 months into successfully breastfeeding. 

My first attempt with breastfeeding was over 7 years ago with my oldest daughter Mya. Although, I wanted to breastfeed at the time it was not in the cards for me. I tried and tried and eventually failed due to Mya refusing to latch, not being able to produce as well as having to cut dairy, soy and gluten from my diet which in my opinion did not help make things better. I eventually had to turn to formula feeding my beautiful baby girl. This as many of you can imagine came with a load of belly issues for my poor baby.

Mya was a Colicky baby, had GER (reflux) as well as an intolerance to what seemed just about everything. It was definitely a tough time for me as a first time mother unable to console my infant. Months passed and we finally made it to her 10 month mark when things began to get better and eventually when she reached a year things got even better as we transitioned her from Formula to Almond Milk.  However, I’d never thought I’d be granted the opportunity to attempt breastfeeding again. How great is the mighty God I serve?! ?

Fast forward to May 9th 2017, the day my successful breastfeeding journey began. The day my beautiful little angel baby Milani Sophia came into this world. While it was the most frightening experience being told I had to be rushed to the hospital to deliver because she was in distress. The moments in the recovery room were all worth it. Milani latched on her first attempt! Though she did rough me up the first couple days, I quickly healed and was assisted by a lactation consultant leading to a painless breastfeeding journey.

I remember while being pregnant people would ask me if I was going to breastfeed and my answer was always a little indecisive because I really did not know if I would have the same experience I had with Mya but I knew I wanted to try. Throughout my entire pregnancy, I would pray that Milani would latch on right away and that I would be successful this time around with breastfeeding. While I told people I was unsure and I wanted to try I knew secretly deep down inside that it was something I definitely wanted to do and experience.

Breastfeeding Milani has been a life changing experience for me to say the very least and I pray that I am able to continue doing so for at least for a year if not a little longer. I thank God I am able experience this beautiful gift of being able to feed & bond with Milani, it is something I will definitely always treasure.

With that being said, I will not sit here and tell you I did not have preconceived thoughts about breastfeeding because I did just as many others do. Believe me when I tell you not being able to experience breastfeeding with Mya definitely made me form opinions in regards to breastfeeding without a cover in public as well as to latching baby vs. pumping and other touchy breastfeeding subjects too.

However, looking back at things and experiencing breastfeeding first hand I can now say I completely understand why some breastfeeding mama’s do what they do and I support their decision to feed their baby however best for both the mama & baby. I now know what it’s like to face adversity and have a lack of support when it comes to breastfeeding, the length of time I should breastfeed etc. and let me tell you it’s incredibly frustrating!

We have a long way to go to normalize breastfeeding. So the next time you see a breastfeeding mama doing her thing do your best not to judge and view her with an open mind. After all breastfeeding is not only natural but it’s God’s amazing gift of nourishment from a mother to her child.

Thank you Hayley Stell of Hayley Stell Photography for capturing these images of my milky baby & I ?

 ? Garden  ?

Love this Look? You can purchase the dress at Fashion Nova Here: http://bit.ly/2wgaLY1

? In The Forest ?

Special Group of Mama’s at the 3rd Annual Breastfeeding Shoot Event.

I’m honored to stand by these women.

xoxo, Melissa ?