the latest from "at mother's breast"

I'm still plugging along with my little breastfeeding project. I took a break for a bit when Miriam was born but have been photographing nursing moms again and posting once a week over on At Mother's Breast.  I really love this project. I love meeting moms who are passionate about breastfeeding. I love the friends I've made and reconnected with through this project. I love how I have become even more enthusiastic about nursing. And braver about nursing in public! I really feel that by seeing breastfeeding portrayed as normal and beautiful, which it is, we will become more comfortable with it. The more it is seen as just ho-hum ordinary, the more women will choose to breastfeed and breastfeed longer!

The CDC recently released the Breastfeeding Report Card for the US.  Utah tops the list with the most mothers who breastfeed at birth. Nearly 90% of Utah mothers breastfeed their newborns. But at 6 months only 58% are still breastfeeding and at 12 months only 35% are still breastfeeding. Although these numbers are better than the national average, we still have lots of room for improvement. Moms need more support!

I hope my project can be one small part of the solution. I feel honored to be able to capture such tender moments between mothers and their babies. I'm still interested in having other photographers contribute to the site, so if you are one or know one who would like to submit photographs of nursing moms, let me know! I especially would love to see more ethnic diversity represented in the images. I want every mom to see someone she can relate to.

Thanks to all of you have supported me in this undertaking. Keep spreading the word!

Here's a little sampling of some of the latest images...

Alisha

Amy

Genevieve

Chelsea

Liz