Beautiful breast feeding baby

The 48 Most Beautiful Breastfeeding Photos of 2022

48 Beautiful Breastfeeding Photos

A controversy

It is 2022, and, unfortunately, breastfeeding photos are still a controversial topic on the internet, especially on social media. Being a photographer who captures those special moments between a mother and her child, it is difficult to find a safe space on the internet to share these incredible photos. People who report breastfeeding posts, and talk badly in the comments are a problem. It also took a long time since Facebook stopped censoring breastfeeding photos.

A special bond

Without a doubt, breastfeeding is a unique and special bond between a mother and her child. It creates a deep and intimate connection and is the most natural thing in the world. We asked our community member Yakaly Di Roma to share her breastfeeding experience with us to learn more about it.

Breastfeeding – An experience by Yakaly Di Roma

“I have been breastfeeding for nearly 5 years. I started back in April of 2014 with my eldest Hans for example and am now tandem feeding with my newborn, River. Breastfeeding for me is so special because It immediately created an unbreakable bond that I am able to share with my children.”

Ashley Hancock – www.thehancocksimagery.com

Bergen Howlett – www.BergenHowlett.com

Britany Maxwell – www.thelightandthelove.com

Callie Ann Gates – www.calliegates.com

Cat Fancote – www.birthphotographyperth.com.au

Chantal Richard-Mercier – www.chantalrmercier.com

The calming effect of breastfeeding

“Hans is autistic and this is the one thing that comforts him the most, it makes him feel safe. Nothing else comes close to being able to calm and soothe him, the way I can when I feed him. He looks to me for security and love in particular, and it makes me so happy that I am still able to do this for him. ”

Charlet Lee – www.instagram.com/thephotobabe

Diana Hinek – www.artshapedphotography.com

Gabi Marshall – www.gabimarshallphotography.com

Grace Troutman – www.gracetphotography.com

Heather Clark – www.heathermarieclark.com

Jessica Lutz – www.jessicalutzphotography.com

The most natural thing

“There are many benefits to breastfeeding and extended breastfeeding. It is the most natural thing in the world for example and it should be normalized, celebrated even! It isn’t easy, it’s actually very difficult, it is exhausting, and it can be painful. However, all the sacrifice that comes with it, it’s completely worth it even more. “

Joy Augustyn – www.joyoflightphotography.com.au

Karolina McLean – www.facebook.com/karolina.mclean.3

Kayla Mattox – www.kaylamattoxphotography.

com

Keziah Kelsey – www.babyrosephotography.com

Arte Cinematica – www.artecinematica.com

The beauty of breastfeeding photos

Photography is all about capturing special moments, celebrating milestones, documenting lives, capturing the bond we share with our loved ones! Getting to Hansito’s 4th birthday and knowing he still takes comfort from breastfeeding, is a milestone!

Leilani Rogers – www.PhotosByLei.com

Lindee Heffner – www.instagram.com/lindeeheffnerphoto

Mallory Francks – www.malloryfrancksphotography.com

Margaux Fischer – www.Instagram.com/MargauxFischerPhotography

Melina McGrew – www.melinanastaziaphotography.com

A new life

Giving birth to River and having the experience to breastfeed both of my boys together is a milestone. These are moments that I will cherish forever. Therefore I will document it and create my art, one day we will get to look back on my images and remember that amazing bond we shared.

Michelle McKay – www.michellemckayphotographer.com

Mika Rascon – www.thegreatwonders.com

Miles Lamb – www.lambphotography.co.uk

Monet Nicole – www.monetnicole.com

Morgan L. Noble – www.facebook.com/morgan.noblephotography

A deep connection

“When I feed my babies, that is our time, it is the one thing I share with them that nobody else can, that is worth capturing, posed or unposed. I have received many negative and hurtful comments when I have shared my breastfeeding photos. While it can be upsetting sometimes, I try not to let it get to me. I know I am doing the best for my boys, and I will continue to do so in spite of all the negativity.“

Nicole Dehoff – www.nicoledehoffphotography.

com

Paige Driscoll – www.santacruzbirthphotography.com

Ricardo Neves Alexandre – www.nowayrichy.com

Ryanne O’Keeffe – www.ryannekenziephoto.com

Sarah Garman – www.purplefernphotography.com

Sarah Graybeal – www.sarahgraybealphoto.com

Creating memories

“I share my portraits to try and help normalize breastfeeding photos, to normalize something that is actually completely natural! I encourage all breastfeeding mothers to do the same, capture these moments while you can. Enjoy every ounce of your time feeding your babies. Create memories that will last a lifetime and help to normalize it!”

Sashi Hesson – www.sashihesson.com

Sheana Edwards – www.instagram.com/sheanaraye

Sherida Rae Taylor – www.sheridaraephotography.ca

Tammy Nicole – www.tammynicolephotography.

com

Tara Herron – www.instagram.com/taraherron_photography

No reason for a controversy of breastfeeding photos

“Seeing a mother in public breastfeeding or a photo of a breastfeeding mother shouldn’t be a “shock” nor shouldn’t be something that causes controversy or attract negative comments. It should be normal!“

Tara Tomlinson – www.taratomlinson.com

Tori Hensley – www.instagram.com/Toridarlinglife

Winnie Bruce – www.winniebrucephotography.com

Yakaly Di Roma – www.itsfireandice.com

The support

“I will continue to breastfeed my son’s for as long as they need in fact. Loving them both with all my heart and I will keep doing what is best for them in the end. I will keep sharing my breastfeeding photos and I am extremely thankful for all the support and love I receive as a result of that.” – Yakaly Di Roma

If you are currently looking for a photographer, check out our “Photographers Near Me” list to find the perfect photographer with your preferred style! Head over and check out our shortlist for the best Emotive Family Photographer / Authentic Family Photographer

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If you love these breastfeeding pictures and would like to get even more inspired, then check out these 13 incredible birth and breastfeeding images of 2020, the most beautiful breastfeeding photos of 2019, or the top 23 photos of world breastfeeding week.

We hope you like our best breastfeeding photos of 2022. Are you a photographer? Did you hear about our new listing service eventually?

LOOKSLIKEFILM is your most important daily inspiration when it comes to photography. Created by our amazing artists from all over the world! You should probably check out our Facebook group and our Instagram feed above all. Besides that, you can give us a follow on Pinterest as well.

THIS BLOG POST about Breastfeeding Photos WAS Created BY:

WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER – MATTHIAS JAWORSKI

Best Breastfeeding Photos Showing the Beauty of Nursing – SheKnows

The social norms around breastfeeding have been changing rapidly in recent years. More and more nursing parents have become comfortable with feeding their children out in the open, celebrating this very beautiful, natural act. They’ve also found another way to celebrate this physical bond with their babies and toddlers, through professional breastfeeding portraits.

Related story The Best Uncensored Postpartum Boudoir Photos of Moms Who Love Their Bodies

While searching for gorgeous breastfeeding portraits, some of the photographers we encountered specialize in newborn portraits, and breastfeeding just comes with the territory. Others are wedding photographers who occasionally branch out. And some are photographers who want to capture all kinds of beautiful, real things in the world, of which breastfeeding happens to be one.

Still others go much deeper with their relationships to parents, combining doula services, lactation consulting, and birth photography, often culminating with breastfeeding portraits as an end result of all their other work.

“Most of what we do in the days and weeks after birth are checking in on families and seeing how breastfeeding is going,” Jess Thomas of Pittsburgh Born Photography tells SheKnows. “Being a birth photographer and doula is an all-encompassing service.”

It’s not always easy or comfortable for the parent of a newborn or a toddler to sit for a photo shoot, so there’s more than one skill involved in taking these pics.

“For moms who have not utilized my support services [as a doula and lactation consultant], we typically spend the beginning of the session getting to know each other and chatting about their motherhood journey so far, their experiences, their challenges, and their dreams and goals,” Jaimie Laki of Little Bear Photography in New Jersey tells us. “By the time their baby is feeling fussy, they’re usually happy for me to document them doing what they do best: soothing their baby. I am a strong advocate for responsive and instinctive parenting, which is another reason documentary photography is so special — we’re rarely aiming for the ‘picture perfect’ moments. Instead, we’re embracing the real. In doing that, I’m able to capture genuine emotions, connections, and relationships. ”

As with any other form of photography, there’s a variety of styles of breastfeeding photography. They might be posed against a beautiful backdrop, looking like the angelic subjects of a 19th century painting. Or they could go for a more documentary style.

“I like to think my images are powerful works of art, and when the mothers look back at their shoot, they can FEEL the moment,” Trina Cary, a photographer based in British Columbia, says. “I don’t focus on perfection or ask moms to wear outfits to hide their postpartum body. I encourage moms to get photos done right away before their bump goes away, before they are fit and ‘photo ready,’ because I think it is important to remember all the stages of your pregnancy and love and give gratitude to your body and the beauty that it is. For me rawness and vulnerability are what makes art.”

While the parents in these photos are eager to capture this too-fleeting moment in time with their children, there are still those in the world who object to breastfeeding photography.

“I do think the more popular these kind of images have become to share, the more I see people learning how to be supportive or keep their opinions to themselves,” Zaki says. “Of course, there is still much work to do in making these images normalized, and there is always someone who is still offended. But they are becoming the minority.”

Breastfeeding and the mother-child bond | Newborn Care

You've been imagining meeting your baby for months, and finally it's happened. The first weeks of breastfeeding are a special time when you get to know each other and forge an emotional connection.

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After the birth of a baby, all-consuming love and the desire to protect him can literally overwhelm you. However, an emotional connection is an individual experience, so don't worry if it doesn't happen right away. It takes time to get to know a child well. The emotional bond between parents and baby develops and strengthens in the process of caring for him.

For both parents, the most important thing is to get used to caring for a child: to be near him, to talk, to take him in his arms, to cuddle him. This increases your confidence in your parenting abilities, creates the best emotional, physical and psychological conditions for your baby, and also contributes to successful breastfeeding.

Skin-to-skin contact with your baby

You've probably heard how important skin-to-skin contact is when you cuddle a diaper-only baby against your bare chest (if it's cool, you can put a sweater or light blanket over the top). Early skin-to-skin contact, preferably within the first hour after birth, releases hormones that encourage the baby to find the breast and start suckling. ¹ One study found that newborns who spent more than 50 minutes in skin-to-skin contact were eight times more likely to suckle spontaneously. ² However, skin-to-skin contact is not only important in the first hour of life. This is a great way to calm the baby in any situation. In addition, it stimulates milk production.

Skin to skin contact is good for the baby in many other ways. It normalizes the heartbeat and breathing, helps maintain optimal body temperature and healthy blood sugar levels. ³ If, for any reason, you are unable to hold your baby immediately after birth, skin-to-skin contact can be provided by your partner so that the baby can experience all the benefits listed, feeling safe, loved and warm.

Oxytocin: a prerequisite for breastfeeding and forming an emotional bond

Adjusting to your new role as a mother can be difficult, but precious moments in direct contact with your baby have a beneficial effect not only on him, but also on you.

Skin-to-skin contact in the mother's body creates a powerful calming hormonal cocktail, one of the main ingredients of which is oxytocin, the hormone of love and hugs. Oxytocin is produced with every contact with a newborn, and even when you just think about the baby or smell him. This smart hormone helps you adapt to motherhood. It stimulates "maternal behavior" - the desire to caress the child, look into his eyes and talk to him gently. ⁴

In addition, oxytocin fights feelings of anxiety and depression, thereby protecting you from postpartum depression. ⁵ It is also believed that the release of oxytocin shortly after birth prepares the brain for breastfeeding and stimulates milk production. ⁶

In addition, the mother produces beta-endorphin, a hormone that encourages her to respond to the needs of the child. Don't be surprised by the all-consuming desire to comfort a crying baby - this is a natural maternal instinct. In addition, beta-endorphin creates a feeling of pleasure and calmness. ³

What a newborn looks like

You will probably think your baby is the most beautiful creature in the world, but in fact, newborns usually look bruised and wrinkled, and sometimes even bruised or have a pointed skull, especially if forceps were used during birth or vacuum to extract the fetus.

In addition, the body of a newborn may be covered with so-called "stork bites" or "angel kisses" - red spots that disappear after a few months. The hands and feet of a newborn may have a bluish tint. All this is absolutely normal.

After a few days, the skin will smooth out, the head will become more round, and the primordial lubrication (cheesy white substance that protected the baby's skin in the womb) will disappear. There is no need to rinse off the lubricant - it is a natural moisturizer.

For the first few days, only the baby's head, buttocks and genitals should be washed (unless, of course, he has been soiled from head to toe with the contents of the diaper!). Bathing the whole baby is not required.

Washing your baby can be a great way for your partner to bond emotionally with the baby and take part in the care of the baby if the baby is fully breastfed. The rest of the baby's umbilical cord usually falls off within a couple of weeks. It does not look very pretty, but the main thing is to keep it clean and dry - then everything will be in order.

Making eye contact with the baby

Newborns can only see black, white and gray
(the color spectrum expands by about three months), ⁷ and their eyes can focus on objects no further than 25 cm (9.8 inches). This is enough for the baby to see your face while feeding. He may even briefly make eye contact with you. In the early days, you will have to feed the baby very often, so you will have the opportunity to enjoy this visual intimacy several times a day.

Forming an emotional connection with the voice

Full-term babies have good hearing. The fetus reacts to sounds as early as the 19th week of pregnancy. ⁸ It has been proven that newborns prefer the voice of their mother ⁹ to all others and even recognize the melodies they heard while they were in the womb. ¹⁰

Talking quietly to your baby creates two-way communication, which is important for your child's social development in the future. ¹¹ You can talk about guests, about the view from the window - about anything. Newborns are very grateful listeners.

“Walking with Iris in the early days, I told her what I saw — trees, flowers, children playing,” recalls Anna, a mother from the UK.

Singing is another great way to form an emotional connection, ¹² it doesn't matter if you have a voice. “While my daughter Leni was very young, I sang songs to her when I changed diapers,” says Charlotte, a mother from the UK, “Now she is 18 months old, and I still sing the same songs to her, usually at night. She loves it very much - familiar melodies calm her down.

The power of touch

Touch is very important for a child. Hugs, petting, rocking, and other caresses are a great way to soothe your baby and make him feel safe, ¹³ and stimulate the release of oxytocin. By the way, did you know that the baby has already developed a grasping reflex? Try touching his palms or stroking his feet and see what happens.

“While Vivienne and Marcus were babies, they liked having their feet massaged. Now I continue to do this before bed. I tried to take them in my arms as often as possible - it was a great way to establish an emotional connection with them, ”says Rachel, a mother from Australia.

Dee, a mother from South Africa, loved wearing her baby in a scarf sling. In her opinion, this not only allows you to establish an emotional connection with the child: “It helped us a lot to establish breastfeeding. Now my daughter is 17 months old, but she still loves it when I wear her in a sling.”

Attractive mother's scent

Newborns have a well-developed sense of smell, which plays a key role in establishing an emotional bond between mother and child. The newborn is attracted by the smell of the mother's breast. Scientists explain this by saying that Montgomery's glands (small bumps on the areola - dark areas of the skin around the nipples) secrete a secret that smells like amniotic fluid. ¹⁴

In addition, the baby recognizes the smell of the mother and can even smell her breast milk from that of another woman. ¹⁵ And when mother and baby hug and smell each other, oxytocin is released, which, as already mentioned, helps to establish an emotional connection and establish breastfeeding.

It is important to understand that all mothers and babies are different and it may take time for you to get used to each other. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your healthcare provider for advice and assistance.

Literature

1 Klaus M. Mother and infant: early emotional ties. Pediatrics. 1998;102( E 1):1244-1246. - Klaus M., "Mother and child: the origin of emotional bonds". Pediatrix (Pediatrics). 1998;102(E1):1244-1246.

2 Gomez AP et al. Kangaroo method in delivery room for full-term babies. An Esp Pediatr. 1998;48(6):631-633. - Gomez A.P. et al., "Application of the Kangaroo Technique to Term Babies in the Delivery Room." An Esp Pediatr. 1998;48(6):631-633.

3 Crenshaw JT. Healthy birth practice #6: Keep mother and baby together—It’s best for mother, baby, and breastfeeding. J Perinat Educ . 2014;23(4):211-217. — Crenshaw, JT, "Physiological Birthing Practices #6: Mother and Baby Should Be Together - Better for Mother, Baby, and Breastfeeding." J Perinat Eduk (Perinatal education). 2014;23(4):211-217.

4 Britton JR et al. Breastfeeding, sensitivity, and attachment. Pediatrics. 2006;118(5): e 1436-1443. - Britton J.R. et al., Breastfeeding, Sensitivity and Attachment. Pediatrix (Pediatrics). 2006;118(5):e1436-1443.

5 Kim S et al. Oxytocin and postpartum depression: delivering on what's known and what's not. Brain Res . 2014;1580:219-232. - Kim S. et al., "Oxytocin and postpartum depression: what we know and what we don't know." Brain Res. 2014;1580:219-232.

6 Uvänas-Moberg K, Prime DK. Oxytocin effects in mothers and infants during breastfeeding. Infant . 2013;9(6):201-206.- Uvenas-Moberg K., Prime D.K., "The effects of oxytocin on mother and child during breastfeeding." Infant. 2013;9(6):201-206.

7 Franklin A , Davies New evidence for infant color categories. Br J Dev Psychol. 2004;22(3):349-377. http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.456.5409&rep=rep1&type=pdf - Franklin, A., Davis, I.R., "New Evidence for Color Perception in Infants ". Br J Dev Saikol. 2004;22(3):349-377.

8 Hepper PG The development of fetal hearing. Arch DisChild. 1994;6(3): F 81-87. - Hepper P.J., Shahidullah B.S., "The Development of Hearing in the Prenatal Period". Arch Dis Child. 1994;6(3):F81-87.

9 Lee GY, Kisilevsky BS. Fetuses respond to father's voice but prefer mother's voice after birth. DevPsychobiol. 2014;56(1):1-11. — Lee JI, Kisilewski BS, "Fetus responds to paternal voice but prefers mother's voice after birth." Dev Psychobiol. 2014;56(1):1-11.

10 Partanen E et al. Prenatal music exposure induces long-term neural effects. PLoS One . 2013;8(10): e 78946. - Partanen, I. et al., Prenatal music listening has long-term effects on the brain. PLOS One. 2013;8(10):e78946.

11 Kirk E et al. A longitudinal investigation of the relationship between maternal mind - mindedness and theory of mind. Br J Dev Psychol. 2015;33(4):434-445. — Kirk, I. et al., "Longitudinal study of the relationship between mother's orientation towards intelligence development and child's mental state model." Br Zh Dev Psychol. 2015;33(4):434-445.

12 de l'Etoile SK. Infant behavioral responses to infant-directed singing and other maternal interactions. Infant Behav Dev . 2006;29(3):456-470. - de l'Etoile SK, "Infant behavioral response to singing and other interactions with the mother." Infante Behave Dev. 2006;29(3):456-470.

13 Moore ER et al. Early skin-to-skin contact for mothers and their healthy newborn infants. Cochrane Database Syst Rev . 2012;5(3). - Mur I.R. et al., "Early skin-to-skin contact and its impact on mothers and healthy newborns". Cochrane Database Syst Rev. Rev. 2012;5(3).

14 Doucet S et al. The secretion of areolar (Montgomery's) glands from lactating women elicits selective, unconditional responses in neonates.PLoS One . 2009;4(10): e 7579. - Doucet S. et al., "Papillary gland secretion (Montgomery's glands) in lactating women induces a selective unconditioned response in the newborn." PLOS One. 2009;4(10):e7579.

15 Vaglio S. Chemical communication and mother-infant recognition. 2009;2(3):279-281. - Vaglio S., "Chemical Communication and Recognition in the Mother-Child Pair". Commune Integral Biol. 009;2(3):279-281.

About breastfeeding and not only… GBUZ VFD, Kopeysk

About breastfeeding and not only…

“Let’s go for HAPPINESS”… at home, and then?…

The child is calmly suckling her breast, gaining weight, and the mother, who, in fact, received everything she asked for, suddenly starts complaining: that she is tired, wants to sleep, the child “hangs” on her breast, that “there is no more strength and when will it all end”, “if only I could feed the mixture and sleep all night, go somewhere to relax during the day” . ..

Currently, more and more women understand the importance and necessity of continuous breastfeeding

Breastfeeding is a hard discipline, dedication and around the clock huge work in relation to the baby. Breastfeeding is valuable and indispensable for two, for everyone in the mother-child pair.

No matter how beautifully, often and aggressively the manufacturers of various breast milk substitutes advertise, mother's milk is the only normal and natural food for a child.

Everything else is a compromise, not first class substitutes. Sometimes this compromise is justified, sometimes it is even necessary, but it is better if this is done on the recommendation of a pediatrician.

The composition of breast milk goes beyond the simple nutritional supply of the child and is the most important factor in the metabolic and immunological programming of the health of the infant, which indicates the biological advantage and fundamental indispensability of breastfeeding for the optimal development of a healthy and sick child. It contains a complete set of vitamins and all vital nutrients, to a greater extent contains valuable fats, which are so necessary for the full development of the brain, the baby's eyesight and the maturation of the nervous system as a whole.

The child's body develops better during breastfeeding, and also has good resistance to various stresses and acute and chronic infections, a decrease in the incidence of otitis media, respiratory tract, the risk of developing inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, including the risk of developing ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.

It has been proven that breast milk, by influencing gene expression, can change the phenotype and incidence, even if there is a genetic predisposition to a particular pathology.

Breast milk is the best and main food as long as the baby is not introduced to different complementary foods as he grows up.

Initially, the only place where the baby satisfies its need for security, comfort, suckling and companionship is under the mother's breast. It is here that trust is formed in the mother, and subsequently in the whole world around her. And the loss of this contact is a great sadness for both. And it's not just psychological. The mother's body, just like the child's, physiologically needs breastfeeding. It promotes faster recovery after childbirth, reduces the likelihood of subsequent pregnancy and anemia, serves as a good prevention of oncological diseases of the female reproductive system, as well as osteoporosis and diabetes. In addition, breastfeeding has been scientifically proven to be an excellent means of preventing postpartum depression in women. There is a close emotional connection with the baby, bringing joy and pleasure, long and successful breastfeeding

The World Health Organization recommends that babies be fed on demand and given the opportunity to receive milk as much as they need. In this case, the child will be completely saturated. This is physiological for the child and for the mother, because milk is produced according to the principle “demand creates supply” and the volume of milk directly depends on how often and for how long the child suckles, it also has a positive effect on lactation, prevention of stagnation in the mother, and, hence lactostasis.

Feeding according to the regime often leads to a lack of milk and insufficient weight gain.

Pay special attention to night feedings on demand. The gastrointestinal tract of the child is designed in such a way that he does not need to take breaks from work at night. Sucking at night is as natural for a baby as sucking during the day. The female body produces the hormone prolactin at night, which is responsible for the production of milk, which is an excellent prevention of such a problem as “not enough milk”.

A newborn's tongue tie may interfere with effective suckling. In such situations, it must be trimmed in a hospital or dental office.

As babies grow older, they become less and less interested in the world around them, and, as a rule, breastfeedings are reduced naturally, leaving only feedings around dreams and during sleep.

The World Health Organization recommends breastfeeding up to 2 years of age and longer if desired. Breastfeeding is like a dance, two people participate in it, and the desire of both is important, and each family chooses the moment of weaning individually.