I got all excited a few weeks ago when the discussion on sexy breastfeeders got hotter than the radiator in my living room right now (damn, I complained it was too cold and now my landlord is trying to cook us).
What I wanted to do was to get all dolled up, full makeup even eyeliner under the eye because your eyes POP more in photos like that and of course I wouldn’t forget the lipstick, heels, and an easy access top. I was going to strike a pose with one of my twins at my breast and have my husband snap some photos. All to prove a point that nursing moms can still have their sexuality and yes, I realize some people would so hate that kind of image but some moms would find it empowering maybe and I thought it would be great to have some photos of me where I look half-way decent and not some frump who hasn’t shaved her legs in three months. (The hair gets softer as it gets longer if you’re wondering.)
That hasn’t happened.
Not yet at least. Maybe this weekend. But I said that last weekend. I just haven’t felt pretty enough for it to happen. And that kind of proves a big old point, doesn’t it? Maybe breastfeeding moms just can’t be sexy. Maybe we just don’t have the time to feel sexy. Maybe with each pull at the teet more and more and more of our libido goes spilling out of us, evaporating into thin air, our horny feelings replaced by mommy feelings and the only thing we’re in the mood for is a piece of chocolate.
But that’s not true. Not ALL the time anyway. But it’s still nice to see real women looking good while juggling motherhood. Because it’s not always easy.
Then I stumbled upon these images. Real women, not super fancy models or gorgeous actresses, but real nursing moms. These photos are from Be a Star, a breastfeeding support website based in the UK that hasn’t had much updating this year, but seems to have some good information and some fantastic images to show that all kinds of women breastfeed and we can look good doing it. It was also part of a public campaign that started in 2008 to encourage breastfeeding.
I kind of love it. But then I thought too much about it and thought … is this making breastfeeding too enticing for the youth of today? Would these kinds of images makes kids way too young and so not ready to be pregnant want to lactate, too? Or is this just me … mom of a daughter … overthinking this and getting way too worried about something I shouldn’t?
I might still take those photos of myself regardless. I’ll shave first.
What do you think about this campaign? The images? Too sexy? Would it woo a kid into wanting to be pregnant?
If it strikes our kids, that’s great. Because they’re the ones who really need to be sold on it. Up and coming young moms who think that it’s cooler and more convenient not to.
Are kids going to get pregnant just to breastfeed? No. Kids are getting pregnant to have a baby lately because it’s the new “in” thing. If those kids can be hit by these images, who are already going to do it regardless of how draining and irresponsible it is to deliberately get pregnant as a teen, then at least something positive hits them.
And these photos rock
I do NOT like these pictures! I am NOT against breastfeeding. I breastfed all of my children – in public even *gasp*! But if you had taken a photo of me I would have been lovingly been looking at my child NOT seeing how sexy I could look for the camera. The brunette above looks uncomfortable – I bet the child isn’t even hers….
Former Nursing, it’s funny how differently photos can strike us. The only one I like is the brunette, because she’s not looking at the camera. I remember nursing as a great time to daydream and process my thoughts and experiences of the day (it was even odd to me when my MIL offered me a book), and that’s what she looks like to me.