Monday 5 May 2014

Feeding Our Families: Breastfeeding


I knew since the start of this series that I could not go through twelve months of posts on the subject of Feeding Our Families without writing something about breastfeeding. However, as much as I feel it is important for me to touch on this, I realized while trying to write this post that I have in fact very little to say about it. I feel that words could never fully describe all that is involved with it. 

Breastfeeding is a personal experience for every mother and baby. For some it can go smoothly and for others it can be more challenging. My own experience has been and still is a positive one. I find it healing, soothing, comforting, calming and peaceful. Even through mastitis and bite wounds, nothing could bring me more joy than to have my baby snuggle into my arms for some closeness, warmth and nourishment.   

I am still regularly nursing Sacha, now a year and a half old, and though it continues to be part of our rhythm and how I feed him, I am painfully conscious of how fleeting this time is. I savour these special moments that allow me to pause throughout the day and connect both physically and emotionally with my babe. No matter how busy or chaotic things can get, I know that nursing cannot be rushed.

I thank my dear friend Debby-Ann for gifting me with the above photo (taken last fall).

Please share your thoughts by leaving a comment.

You will find other Feeding Our Families posts on these wonderful blogs:

Melanie from Our Ash Grove

Jules from A Little Crafty Nest

Melody from Bespoke

Tonya from Joyful Living

Taisa from Small Wonders

Heather from Shivaya Naturals

Renee from Heirloom Seasons

13 comments:

  1. Beautiful subject for the feeding our families series.
    Love your new header. Is it possible to take a bad picture of your amazing island? More pictures of it please!!

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    1. Thanks Emma! I'm so glad you enjoy the pictures of our island. I will think of you and try to post some more.

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  2. Ooh, yes Sarah! This is so lovely- and what a beautiful photo!
    I recently weaned Sun, at 3 1/2 years. I loved nursing all of my babies, and miss it so very much. It is so precious, and you are right:so fleeting.
    Hugs

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    1. That's great to have nursed for so long Melanie. I hope I still have a while to go with Sacha.

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  3. I feel so incredibly grateful to have been able to breastfeed both my children. You are right; it is such a sweet way to snuggle up and reconnect--especially with a busy toddler. Thanks for sharing this.

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    1. Yes, you're right Tara, I especially appreciate these moments as Sacha gets older and busier.

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  4. What a beautiful picture! I am still nursing my almost 2-yr old and this reminds me that I need to have someone photograph us. What a treasure.

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    1. Yes, we often don't think about it, but it is a treasure to have a good picture to remember...

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  5. Sarah, you are beautiful! My 2.5 year old is still nursing too:)
    At this point I have my moments where I feel a little like I am ready to be done, but then at other times I just savor the special time.

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    1. Oh! Thank you Tonya! That's great that you are still nursing your sweet girl. It is indeed a special time.

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  6. My little babe is almost 19 months old and still very much interested in breast feeding. I believe that it is one of the most important things that I can offer her as a mother. While there have been times that I would like to be able to plan my outfit based on what I would like to wear, rather than wondering if I can breast feed my daughter in it, I realize that is is just for a short period of my life. Having her be healthy and happy is what is most important.

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  7. Such a beautiful picture- and I am so aware too, how fleeting this breastfeeding stage is, and how precious. Thanks for sharing.

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