World Breastfeeding Week, First Latch Photos
Celebrating World Breastfeeding Week: Honoring the Beauty and Challenges of Nursing
As a birth photographer and doula, I have the distinct honor of witnessing some of life’s most intimate and powerful moments. Among these, few are as profound as the first latch — the moment a baby connects with their parent / mother, signaling the beginning of their breastfeeding journey. This World Breastfeeding Week, I want to celebrate those moments and the ongoing, everyday act of breastfeeding through the images I capture and the stories I witness. Breastfeeding is natural, normal, and something profoundly worth celebrating. Yet, it’s also complicated, unfortunately political, and incomplete when it comes to equitable support.
Breastfeeding portraits are more than just beautiful pictures; they are declarations. They say that feeding your child at your breast is a right, a bond, and a source of nourishment and comfort. However, this journey is not equally accessible to everyone. Black families and other People of Color especially face unique challenges— from a lack of diverse care providers who understand the nuances of their cultural and personal experiences, to systemic barriers in healthcare and workplace support. These disparities lead to lower breastfeeding rates and fewer resources that acknowledge their specific needs. Breastfeeding should not be a privilege if you can afford to take the time off or if pumping works for you, it’s a right. If we are a country that supports babies and families, then we need to support breastfeeding.
Breastfeeding shouldn’t be a luxury contingent on race, socioeconomic status, or the benevolence of employers. People should not have to sacrifice their breastfeeding goals just because they return to work (6-8 weeks is WAY too soon) or don’t have access to affirming care or being able to afford to take more time off. The current policies in the U.S. — where paid parental leave is practically nonexistent — are a huge part of the problem. Families need time; time to allow mother / parent and baby to establish good breastfeeding routines, time to heal, and time to grow together without endless pressure to return to the workforce.
Supporting breastfeeding is not just about encouraging people to nurse; it’s about creating a society that values and supports families appropriately. This means advocating for paid parental leave, workplace accommodations, and culturally competent lactation support that includes more providers of Color. It means celebrating the beauty of the first latch—and continuing to honor breastfeeding through every stage, through every struggle, through every triumph.
As a birth worker and photographer, I’m committed to capturing these moments with truth and respect. I want my images to remind everyone that breastfeeding is a powerful act of love and resilience. This World Breastfeeding Week, let’s also remember the fight for equity, access, and respect for all parents. Because breastfeeding is not just natural — it’s necessary, it’s a right, and it’s high time we treat it as such.
If you are interested in a breastfeeding portrait session to celebrate and highlight this monument in your life, please reach out today!
