If you're a breastfeeding advocate surfing the Australian Breastfeeding Project (ABP) you would have encountered breastfeeding selfie's with a colourful difference. This January 2017 the ABP has kicked off the year by showcasing a month of breastfeeding selfie's, revealing that the ABP extends beyond Sarah Murnane's photography and speak's to the heart of motherhood, a community spirit and creative expression. Breastfeeding mum's from the ABP community have used the app 'PicsArt' and the image of a tree of life sticker to put a spin on their breastfeeding selfie's, or otherwise brelfies. What does the tree of life stand for? It can symbolise growth, nourishment through breastmilk and so much more. The ABP provides a sisterhood community for milky mum's online and I wanted to share with you what this means to a select few who have shared their words and photo's. Being able to post a breastfeeding photo is so much more than simply making a statement, for some it gives confidence to express their achievement's, while for other's it can encourage more women to seek help, or breastfeed in public. Posting a brelfie also breaks the silence on bullying that can occur when breastfeeding is altogether misunderstood.
Would you like to post your PicsArt tree of life brelfie? Skip on over to the ABP community:feeding the change, found through the main ABP fb and keep feeding the change by normalising breastfeeding. Not sure how to use PicsArt? Here's a video that will show you step by step: https://youtu.be/QbxUh3br-Ss
Breastfeeding love and light,
Sheree Willow.
More info: Facebook
"We think ourselves to be lucky, to be a part of the Australian Breastfeeding Project in hopes to normalise feeding all over Australia. Without the support and guidance from other milky mumma's I wouldn't have had the courage to feed in public without running off to the closest bathroom. Not only that but the Australian Breastfeeding Project page is full of supportive and encouraging mumma's that give advice when in doubt."
"I am so proud of being able to breastfeed my kids for as long as they want. I love to share my knowledge and sometimes help other mums through the Australian Breastfeeding Project. It is such a wonderful place to share experiences and to talk freely about what we love, without being judged. This project is helping so many mums."
"We literally wouldn't have survived without breastfeeding. The Australian Breastfeeding Project has meant a lot of different things to me throughout my journey. In the beginning it was about support and finding a community of women who made me feel like I was on the right path and who confirmed that following my instincts was the right thing to do."
"The ABP is a place for supporting, normalizing and educating society on breastfeeding, which Mother Nature has intricately and cleverly designed us to do. The project captures breastfeeding in its raw beauty and has created a platform where women can build each other up. This project means I feel supported, blessed and part of a village. "
"The Australian Breastfeeding Project is a community of mothers, who are not only promoting the normality of breastfeeding, but are helping to create a generation of empowered mothers."
"The ABP means a lot to me! It's about normalising breastfeeding and showing the world the bond and the benefit for your baby and you!"
"The ABP was one of the main reasons I gained courage to breastfeed in public, anywhere, anytime my son needed to, without shame. It gave me confidence that I had other mumma's backing me, doing the same thing and facing the same challenges and stigmas associated with breastfeeding."
"The whole group online has been so supportive of all women and their breastfeeding questions. As is the Australian Breastfeeding Association helpline, which I'd often referred to as well. I'm so glad to be a part of being the change we want to see in the world..."
"Normalising these images is an essential part of normalising breastfeeding, in both the wider society and the medical community. I feel so proud and full of love to see other women breastfeed their children."
"The Australian Breastfeeding Project has not only been there for support and advice, they've also given me a good giggle and I love the sense of community amongst other booby' mumma's it brings. Here's to breastfeeding and to the Australian Breastfeeding Project! May we continue to grow, empower each other and bring awareness to the rest of the world that breastfeeding is nothing to be frowned upon with disgust, but accepted with love.💖💖 "
