A Personal Journey With Body Confidence and Breastfeeding

August 2nd, 2012 by Dionna | 2 Comments
Posted in Breastfeeding/Lactivism, Carnival and Special Series, Compassionate Advocacy, Feed with Love and Respect, Guest Posts, Joys of Breastfeeding Past Infancy, Just for Fun/Miscellaneous, natural parenting

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When I was in my teens, I hated my body. I wanted to be thinner with thicker hair and plumper lips. I starved myself and exercised to the point of obsession, hoping to reach this elusive goal. There came a point where I reached rock bottom and began experiencing frequent panic attacks. I felt like I would die if things carried on as they were. I knew something had to change. When you hit the bottom, there is only one way to go, and so I started on the long road to learning to love myself, both my body and my mind.

It took along time before I learned to accept my body, and longer still to learn to love it. But at some point I found that self love, and I was determined never to let it go. And so when my beautiful baby came into the world several years later, I had no concerns about breastfeeding him. I had confidence in my body and was proud to feed him – whenever, wherever. That little baby is now 20 months old and my attitude hasn’t changed. People ask me in hushed and amazed tones “Do you still feed him in public?!” My answer is a resounding “Yes!” He is still my baby and nursing him feels as natural as it ever did. His need for milk is still strong – for hunger, thirst, or comfort; he still gets so much out of it.

Wherever we are, if he asks, I feed him, strong in my rights and confident in my body’s ability to nourish my child. I know that I am protected by the law. In the UK a woman has a right to breastfeed her child at home or in public, and there is no upper age limit!

So perhaps people stare or raise their eyebrows when they see my toddler curled up on my lap enjoying his milk. But I don’t notice. I never have. In all the time I have been feeding him I have never had a member of the public criticize or complain. Perhaps my confidence and body language give off a signal that I know my rights and wont back down. Perhaps seeing my son cozy in his mama’s arms is comforting and heart warming to passers by. Or perhaps I am too wrapped up enjoying the moment with my son to see what’s going on around me.

Whatever the case (and while it still works for us), we will continue our breastfeeding relationship – whenever, wherever.

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Today’s breastfeeding guest post, written by Sam of Love Parenting, is number 38 in Code Name: Mama’s “Joys of Breastfeeding Past Infancy” series.

Sam can normally be found at Love Parenting, where she writes about natural and attachment parenting, non conformity and living life to the full! Contact her via Facebook or Twitter.

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You can, too — link up your breastfeeding posts from August 1-7 in the linky below, and enjoy reading, commenting on, and sharing the posts collected here and on Natural Parents Network.

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2 Responses to:
"A Personal Journey With Body Confidence and Breastfeeding"

  1. 'Becca
    Aug-6-12 at 4:17 pm

    Nice article! I found that breastfeeding really boosted my confidence that my smallish breasts were “enough”. I used to feel very self-conscious about them, but seeing that they made my baby so happy made me less embarrassed about what anyone else might think of them.

  2. Lauren @ Hobo Mama   
    Aug-8-12 at 5:00 am

    I really love this! Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I think being a mother in general has made me so much more aware of how awesome our bodies are, how the variety is beautiful, and how valuable and lovely each body is. I’m glad that breastfeeding had such a part in that transformation for you!

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