Happy world #breastfeedingweek to all the mamas that sacrifice so much, to give their babies the best start in life. Mother’s milk is our baby’s first vaccination. It builds and boosts their immune system like no other food or substance in this world. It's the perfect first food for a baby. It has the exact mixture of nutrients specific to each unique child’s needs. Breastfeeding is so close to my heart. It's one of the most beautiful, humbling, and intense experiences of motherhood. It’s so empowering to feed my babies from my own body. The closeness & bonding between us is deepened by the experience. The experience is joyful and gives our babies exactly what they need beyond calories and nutrients: love, compassion, and physical contact. I realize that this part of the motherhood journey is often stressful and for some moms, it simply does not work out. DO YOUR BEST. The main thing to remember is that no matter how you are feeding your child, make that loving eye contact and be present. There are many obstacles to overcome with breastfeeding, including the painful clogged milk ducts, sore, cracked nipples, lack of sleep for the first year or so, and creating our child’s 100% dependency on us. Another anxiety causing factor is that breastfeeding, and feeding a child in general, requires that we focus and clear our minds from all distractions. We have to be present with ourselves to be present with our children. That quietness is hard if our minds are overactive. Lastly, maternity leave is short in the US. This should change so moms are not forced to leave babies before its time. One year of breastfeeding is about 1,800 hours, this doesn’t include, burping, the extra time of cuddles until they fall asleep. (A full-time job equals about 1960 hours!!) Beside the many benefits Breastfeeding provides our children it is also cost effective and eco-friendly. My 5 + years of breastfeeding journey has been so worth it to my 3 children and myself. I have had a completely different experience with each of them. As I get older, I feel wiser and more willing to do whatever it takes to make my children healthy, happy, joyous, and free!