Practice Self Love

By Sarah Nicole Landry

A year ago I never could have posted this.

No way. No how. This was my shame. This was my horror.

But today, I have no hesitation. No nerves. No “oh my gosh what will they say?”

Just peace.

Because I understand now. I understand that this is just the human body.

This is a body that has carried three amazing children.

This is a body that has been a range of weights swinging 110lbs in difference.

This is a body that used to feel worthless and now feels strong.

This is a body that needs to be fed with love, attention, kindness and good food.

This is a body, and through PRACTICE and EFFORT and EXERCISE in self care, I have grown to love.

This is a body that I will use to help show others that they are not alone in their bodies.

My friends, this is your life. This is your body. Whether you’re tall or small, curvy or striped, this is you.

And you are beautiful!

And it takes time to grasp these things. It’s not something that you SUDDENLY magically feel ok with, but the effort in hate is more draining that the effort in love.

So, practice. Because it took years of words, pictures of perfection and endless comparisons to create the voice inside your head to where it is today, and now it’s time to redirect. Now it’s time to fill it with new words, new pictures, and valuable connections. Now it’s time to live. Really live. With peace, and understanding. And a love that will not just fill you, but pour into others. Spreading the truths for more to know. 🔅 That self love, it’s so worth it. So, practice. ❤️

-The Birds Papaya 

FB: https://www.facebook.com/thebirdspapaya
IG: https://www.instagram.com/thebirdspapaya


Related Groups

Birthing: FB.com/groups/Birthing
Pregnant Moms Due This Year: FB.com/groups/DueDateGroup
Peaceful Parenting Community: FB.com/groups/ExplorePeacefulParenting
Public Peaceful Parenting Page: FB.com/PeacefulParenting

Photograph from The Honest Body Project

Breastfeeding After Cancer

Nikki Heying shares publicly in celebration:

6 weeks old on the left, 30 weeks old on the right.

It’s been 6 months.

Six months since I was allowed to breastfeed my son.

Six months of a hard battle against CANCER, getting poisoned with chemo that tainted my breastmilk and prevented me from nursing my infant son.

Six months of pumping every few hours and dumping every single ounce of it all down the drain, just so I could keep my supply up, in hopes of eventually being allowed to nurse my baby again.

Six months of having a dear, sweet, generous friend (Bec Nikodem) come to my house 1-2 times a week to latch my son, just so he would remember HOW to breastfeed again when I was able.

Well, here we are; I had my last chemo session in January and it’s been 35 days post-chemo. My breastmilk no longer contains any remnants of chemo in it, and last night I was able to BREASTFEED MY SON AGAIN!!!!

It’s been a long road, but I wanted to share my journey publicly in hopes that it can be shared and might inspire others in some small way.

💚 God is GOOD. The power or prayer is REAL. 💚

#normalizebreastfeeding #fcancer #breastfeeding



Related:

Healing Hubby

The Breastfeeding Group

Anti-Cancer

Chris Beat Cancer

Breasts: The Owner's Manual

The Circle Maker

Should I Nurse My Baby From Both Sides?

BREASTFEEDING - Should I offer both breasts?

Mammal mothers don't worry about minutes, milk transfer, or changing sides. They nurse as long as they feel comfortable in that position, and they change positions when they want to, or when baby stops being happy with what's happening.

Think of a breast as a 'serving.' Some babies want two servings right in a row; some fall asleep after the first one, and save the second for later. Some, who are trying to build milk supply, take three or four or more servings before dozing off.

Since you'll be nursing your baby again whenever s/he tells you they need it, it does not really matter how many servings baby takes in a row - as long as your little one is satisfied when finished. You can trust that your breasts will let you know if you're not feeding enough from one side [they will become firm/engorged.]

-La Leche League's The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding: https://amzn.to/2G9Rc7k

Texas City, Texas Nurse-In Sign in Support of Breastfeeding Mother Removed from Pool

Angie Dunn with her sign at the Texas City Nurse-In.

Angie Dunn's sign at the Nessler Family Aquatic Center Nurse-In in Texas City, Texas reads, "Out of Milk since '99, but like a good bra STILL SUPPORTIVE! #NormalizeBreastfeeding"

She writes, "It was all about that sweet mommy and her babies. She is such a nice lady. She walked up and gave me a hug and I just melted. I think things will turn around in a positive way for her and the other moms from this point forward."

Misty and her baby, 10 months old.

On June 8, 2019, breastfeeding mother, Misty Daugereaux, was forced to leave the center because she was breastfeeding her 10 month old infant. This action violates Texas law, which protects mothers and their nursing babies of any age in locations where moms are otherwise permitted to be.

Misty writes, "Stand for nothing, and you'll fall for anything. I got kicked out of Nessler Family Aquatica In Texas City today for BREASTFEEDING MY SON! First, I had a lifeguard come from behind me, as I was discretely soothing my crying baby, and told me I couldn't breastfeed at the public pool. Then the manager told me I had to cover up/follow the rules or leave. Then a Texas City Police Deputee showed up and made me leave. I’m so hurt, embarrassed and ashamed that this is what Texas City stands for. Their employees should be educated! Their manger could have used this moment to educate her staff! Yet I was escorted out with two 4 year olds and my 10m old on my hip - tears pouring down my face. My son asked, 'Momma why won’t they let you feed MAXX?' I was alone not wanting to cause a scene and scare my kids. To the momma that stood up for me: THANK YOU!"

#NIP #NursingInPublic BREASTFEEDING #AbolishLactiphobia

Bumper Stickers with YOUR year and choice of colors, available at Etsy.

Thank you for nursing in public cards to share with breastfeeding moms you see, and encourage them along the way, available for cost of production at Etsy. Let's support and lift each other up! #NursingMothersUnite

NIP Cards With Laws || Without Laws || Pink Yellow Cards || Spanish Cards

Bumper Sticker Variations other STILL SUPPORTIVE former breastfeeding moms have received.

Out of Milk Since '02. Like a Good Bra, STILL SUPPORTIVE! Normalize Breastfeeding.