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World Breastfeeding Week is August 1 - 7

People may not guess this about me, but I'm passionate about breastfeeding. Not in a yoo-hoo-watch-me-whip-my-boob-out kind of way, but in a what-a-perfect-way-to-feed-my-child way. There was never any question in my mind as to whether I would breastfeed. It was only after I became a mother that I really took notice that maybe, while my actions were normal, they're not necessarily the norm. There have been times, early on in MrMan's life or when he was going through a growth spurt, that my boobs hurt. There have been times when I felt frustrated by needing to serve as his power pack and by stray leaking. There have been times when I felt awkward nursing in public. But I persevere.

Of course, the main reason I persevere is to provide the best nutrition for my son. But, beyond that, I breastfeed because I feel it's my responsibility. I am fortunate enough to have had breastfeeding role models in my life. And now, I hope I can serve as one, too. Maybe my breastfeeding MrMan at the mall or in a restaurant today will give another woman the courage to do so as well. Whether in a week or in twenty years. My hope is that the next generation of women will be better supported in their breastfeeding efforts. There are so many ways in which that will be manifested, but I think the simplest way to state it is that I hope that we will make at least as many provisions for breastfeeding as we currently do for smoking.

It's World Breastfeeding Week. Support your favorite breastfeeder - give her a glass of water, help feed the next generation. Pretty amazing, isn't it?