Community Post: World Breastfeeding Awareness Week

Photo by @gemma_peanut

Breastfeeding is considered best for your baby because breast milk is basically nature’s perfect food, offering the ideal nutrition for newborns. It has other health benefits for babies, too, helping to prevent ear infections, viruses, and respiratory tract infections and promote easier digestion. That said, it’s not the only feeding option, as we’ll discuss a little later on.

Breastfeeding can be a beautiful experience between mother and child, but it doesn’t always come easily or naturally. It’s a learning process and a skill you’ll need to develop—something a lot of new mamas don’t realize—so being well informed and supported is key. We highly recommend some reading on the topic during your third trimester. For us, The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding was a mother’s breast friend (pardon the pun). Familiarize yourself with some of the recommended positions and latching techniques—being equipped with information will empower you.

Most women find breastfeeding hard at some stage of their postpartum journey, and some women stop nursing because they don’t have the right support. It’s important to find peer encouragement. Chat with other mothers about their experiences, and ask your doctor or midwife for support and advice. You may also consider talking to or hiring a lactation consultant.

Some places will offer support over the phone, and attending a breastfeeding support group is also an option. These can be a great opportunity to meet other mothers navigating the same things you are. With the right support, encouragement, and nurturing shown to you, many breastfeeding challenges can be overcome. It starts with you, though, Mama: being gentle, patient, and kind to yourself during this sensitive period is paramount. Once it all clicks in, it’ll flow (sorry, couldn’t help ourselves!) and things will become much smoother.

- Excerpt from The Zen Mama Guide

In celebration of Breastfeeding Awareness Week we asked our YZM community to share one word that describes their breastfeeding journey. See below and we'd love you to add your word in the comments!!

@alyssacamille___
UNPREPARED

@moodybunny
WONDERFUL

@marthish
IN LOVE

@hollycopelandrealtor
FULFILLING

@lillajwells
HUMBLING

@jess_schwartz_
PERFECT (it's not perfect but it's mine, therefore it's perfect!)

@jenstagram1028
WONDERFUL

@kellyvdp32
ROLLER-COASTER

@not_a_star_just_a_mum
TENDERNESS

@lalaamami
CLOSE

@iolandataraujo
MAGICAL

@claudiastpinto80
HARD

@dr.jarles
DIFFICULT AND DEFEATING

@sacredwildwood
EVOLUTIONARY

@tmakuvek
GRATIFYING

@stephicote
UNPREDICTABLE

@sophie.lucinda
CONNECTION

@colflied
FULL

@caitling.grace.mills
BEAUTIFUL

@c__torre
DIFFICULT

@becca_beautiful
OURS

@sarah_anne6210
UNSUCCESSFUL

@nicole_rass
BONDED

@khol032
HEARTWARMING

@tash_love3
STRUGGLE

@katedayroosma
HARD

@greentreeseverywhere
BRUTIFUL

@jaimeelara
LUCKY

@ineslemmich
AMAZING TWO YEARS

@butler9699
TRANSFORMING

@theawkwardboojee
INTENSE

@nataliedattoli
UNEXPECTED

@amspettersson
WORTHWHILE

@selinanicolem
JOYOUS

@coraliesoustelledurand
FUSIONAL

@ari_gordon18
COMPLICATED AND TIME CONSUMING

@pahissuvi
EVENTFUL

@sheralee77
A BEAUTIFUL EXPERIENCE AND ONE I MISS DOING

@lilianeagro
MAGIC

@jennie_may
HARD

@ashleynvenn
EDUCATIONAL

@azulbz_22
EASY

@lauramarielamilla
POWERFUL

@kajwalker
HARD

@sashest
CHALLENGING

@_lauren79_
LONG

@nikiaruth91
STRESSFUL

@mrshaileyturnipseed
RESILIENT!

@mspoty
HARD

@kastsylvia
NATURAL BEAUTY

@nataliecates_
SWEET

@ashleyjensen19
REWARDING

@eirevero
ALLERGIES

@adrinitalacuranderita
GROUNDING

@kb_487
SPECIAL

@ncsummerxq2
DISAPPOINTING

@coffeebaskett
SUCCESSFUL

@malainihigham
HARD

@lacy.garrison
PRECIOUS

@mrsamandamott
EUPHORIC

@aemackle
POWERFUL