A Heartfelt Tip for the Nursing Mamas - Authentic Parenting Blog Carnival of Breastfeeding

Welcome to the August edition of Authentic Parenting Blog Carnival: Breastfeeding.
This post was written for inclusion in the monthly Authentic Parenting Blog Carnival hosted by The Positive Parenting Connection and Authentic Parenting. As August is Breastfeeding awareness month, our participants are writing about this exact subject! Please read to the end to find a list of links to the other carnival participants.

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So I'm pretty pleased with myself that I finally got organized enough to submit an article in a blog carnival.  I'm excited to see what everyone else is writing about and hopefully meet some new bloggers.  The topic this month was especially appealing because Darwin and I had a very successful breastfeeding journey together and it's something I support and encourage.

I thought for a few weeks about what I wanted to share.  We really overcame a lot of obstacles (poor latch, thrush, mastitis, oversupply, forceful let down, you name it!) early on to finally become pros somewhere around the 3 month mark and we continued to go strong after that.  Darwin weaned himself just before turning one.

I thought I could write about my feelings when he weaned, or tips to get through that tough time in the beginning, our nursing schedule and routine, or even about how Baby-Lead Weaning tied in so well with our breastfeeding relationship.  But ultimately, what I decided to share was less about our journey and instead a message to all mom's who are currently nursing or who plan to in the future.  Please celebrate this wonderful connection with your little and take some pictures before it ends.  Whether you want to share them with your family and friends or have them be private just for you.  I often told myself to do this but always pushed it aside because there would be "later."  I was never even shy about nursing in public and rarely used a cover.  But the more I thought about participating in this carnival the more I realized I hadn't taken any photos of us nursing.  It's certainly something I'll never forget but not having the visual memory to share with Darwin or look back on is something I do wish was different.  And I am a picture taking fanatic!  Have you seen my blog?  I really can't believe I let that happen. 

Ultimately, I was able to find ONE photo us on my cell phone.  I debated whether or not to share it publicly but decided this breastfeeding carnival would be a very appropriate place and I also hope to continue to support normalizing women breastfeeding their children.

I hope you already have lots of pictures of you nursing your baby but if you don't, make time.  Right now.

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Visit The Positive Parenting Connection and Authentic Parenting to find out how you can participate in the next Authentic Parenting Blog Carnival! Please take time to read the submissions by the other carnival participants:

• Parenting Myth Busted: They Never Stop Breastfeeding - Laura at Authentic Parenting shares how her 4 year old effectively weans herself.
• 7 Tips for Breastfeeding In Public Stress Free -  From baby wearing to using a scarf, Ariadne of Positive Parenting Connection is sharing many helpful tips on how to breastfeed in public stress free.
• Breastfeeding has been Downhill - Jorje of Momma Jorje compares her nursing experiences and finds... it hasn't gotten easier with time and experience.
• A Heartfelt Tip for the Nursing Mamas - Margaux from Young Nesters gives her biggest piece of advice for all present and future breastfeeding Mamas.
• Breastfeeding Carnival - Billy at My Pathway To Motherhood writes about the past, present and future of nursing her daughter.
• Amy W. at Me, Mothering and Making it All Work describes why she loves to advocate for and help nurture breastfeeding relationships.
• To My Nursling - Stone Age Parent dedicates a breastfeeding poem to her child.
• My 3 ½ Year Old Breastfeeds As Much As A Newborn – And That Is Fine By Me - Jennifer at Hybrid Rasta Mama
• Authentic Parenting Blog Carnival of Breastfeeding: Our Sorta Sudden Gentle Weaning - Wolfmother Chronicles
• How to breastfeed while babywearing in a men tai - Lauren at Hobo Mama offers a video tutorial for easy, hands-free nursing on the go in a mei tai (Asian-style) baby carrier.
• My Boobs? Mighty Frickin' Spectacular, Thank You Very Much. - Rhianna from The Other Baby Book shares a post crediting breastfeeding with nurturing a connection not only with her son, but also with her breasts and her body's empowering ability to do its thing.

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