However you do it, feeding your baby is an intimate time for a new parent. It is typically a quiet time you spend nourishing, cuddling, and cherishing your small child. Photographer Felicia Saunders carried a lot of guilt because she was unable to breastfeed her baby. She decided to do a photo series that proves feeding a baby is beautiful, no matter how you accomplish it. The photos are gorgeous and have garnered support and praise from women everywhere. (1)
Feeding A Baby Is Beautiful
Felicia Saunders knows first-hand the guilt that many mothers can face if they, for whatever reason, are unable to breastfeed their babies. In 2019, she decided to honor breastfeeding awareness week and month to do a photoshoot that celebrated the fact that feeding a baby is beautiful, no matter how a parent does it.
â I want to say that no matter your avenue of feeding you are absolutely #amazing! I want to #document your story of the loving bond you form #feeding your #Baby, no matter your feeding style!â she wrote on Instagram. (1)
Her portrait of three women feeding their babies in three different ways spoke to many women. Daily she receives messages thanking her for celebrating all types of feeding, because they, too, are unable to breastfeed.
Tube Feeding Is Beautiful
One of the least-talked about forms of feeding a baby is tube feeding. There are many reasons why a baby might need to be tube fed instead of via the breast or bottle. Saunders wanted to highlight that, and show that going through the process of tube feeding shows the resilience of mothers. Moms truly will do whatever it takes to make sure their children are properly fed.
Bolus Feeding Is Beautiful
A bolus feeding is a meal-sized amount of liquid food given through the tube several times a day. Bolus feeding is given through a syringe into the G-tube leading to the stomach.
Bottle Feeding Is Beautiful
For some moms, breastfeeding just isnât possible. Maybe it is too painful, maybe the baby struggles, or maybe they are an adoptive mother who doesnât produce milk. Whatever reason a mother has for not breastfeeding is their business and they should not have to justify it to anyone. As long as their baby is loved, properly nourished, and well-fed, then that woman is doing her duty as a mother.
Breastfeeding Is Beautiful
Of course, breastfeeding is incredible, and if you can do it safely and comfortably, thatâs amazing. Unfortunately, there is often a lot of shame and stigma around when, where, and how a mother can breastfeed. Saundersâ photos show how beautiful breastfeeding is and throws out the idea that there is anything to be ashamed of. The female body is brilliant, and the fact that we can even produce nourishment for our children in our own bodies is amazing.
The Bottom Line
Feeding a baby is beautiful no matter how a mother (or father) does it. Instead of worrying about what one parent does and why, let’s just celebrate each other for the incredible sacrifice parents, especially mothers, make to make sure that their child is properly fed.
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