31 Days, 31 Stories | Breastfeeding Awareness Month 2018
Welcome to the 2018 31 Days, 31 Stories breastfeeding project for national breastfeeding awareness month. We have some truly wonderful stories this year, I hope to see you all follow along for the third annual project.
What is 31 Days, 31 Stories?
Born as an extension of The Bond Project; the 31 Days, 31 Stories Breastfeeding Project shares one story of a milky family every day through the month of August. August is National breastfeeding awareness month, so what better way is there to normalize breastfeeding than to celebrate our own successes and journeys.
How does it work?
Every day, a new story will be shared about a family who gives their baby breast-milk. Each family who is participating began with a personal photo session with their kiddos - nursing and not. Part of the session is a mommy and me where there is lots of play and snuggling, the other part focuses on the bond created by nourishing their little ones. After, we had a brief interview and either they or I wrote the blog to tell about parts of their experiences with breastfeeding.
Every story matters
Several of these mamas told me that their story was uninteresting, but I am here to say that I love every one of these stories - because they are honest. These are real stories told by real mamas. Yes, breastfeeding is natural and beautiful and creates an unbreakable bond - but it is also draining, time consuming and even painful for some.
Our bodies are still not our own when we choose to breastfeed, even if we do supplement and especially if we need to pump as well. It is my goal to help every mama know that they are not alone in this journey. That someone out there feels or has felt the same way they do. And that whatever it is they feel is valid.
Some mamas have relatively nothing exciting happen throughout their journey with nursing their baby, while other mamas seem to hit one roadblock after another. The way I see it, every single story is important to tell.
I hope you continue to follow each mamas story and give them all a little love and encouragement. Welcome to the project.
Do you only share stories in August?
I share stories all year round. Anytime a mama is willing to share her story, I am happy to help her document this time in her life. I even document stories of mamas who do not nurse. Because we all love our babies and we are just trying to do what is right for them and for us. It would be an honor to share your story.