Before I announce the first, second and third place winners in the World Breastfeeding Week photo contest, I want to thank everyone who submitted a picture. I received entries from 40 women and I wish I could give a t-shirt to every one! I had the hardest time selecting a winner, because, quite honestly, you are all winners when breastfeeding is involved - both you and your darling children. :) I could have easily selected each and every picture as the winner and had several reasons why that one captured my heart. They were all amazing.
I received pictures of newborns nursing - one baby just minutes old, toddlers nursing, twins nursing and siblings nursing. Some children were nursing inside and some were nursing in the great outdoors. Some were close-ups, showing little ones gazing lovingly into their mothers’ eyes, and others were taking from farther away, showing a strong child-mother connection. There were even three pictures of toddlers nursing their own “babies.” Another photo was of three adult sisters - each nursing her own baby including an adopted little girl from Ethiopia. Some babies were sleeping, some were smiling, one was cuddling with a kitty, one was nursing while mama played the guitar! Each picture was unique and wonderful.
In the end, I decided to go with the pictures that I elicited the strongest emotion in me. Even though they might not be the “best” technically-speaking, I felt something when I saw them and that made the difference for me. :)
OK, without further ado…
First place goes to Ashley, for this picture of her daughter. I love the feeling of tranquility and innocence in this photo. Even though this little girl may have just been hard at play, she took a moment to nurse and reconnect with her mama, and soon drifted off to sleep. All is right in her world.
Second place goes to Mary (founder of No Mother Left Behind - a sling donation program), for this picture of her son nursing for the first time less than a minute after he was born in an unassisted home birth. I love that this baby is so alert and even looking up at mama as she whispered to him just moments after his birth. If only all babies could be so lucky to have such a peaceful start to their lives on Earth.
Third place goes to Nicole for this picture of her daughter nursing at 3 months old. The little clasped hands are what got me. Pure sweetness.
To the three of you, congratulations! :) Please email me to let me know which design you prefer (and, Ashley, what size t-shirt) as well as your mailing addresses. :)
Just to recap the prizes: The 1st place winner will have the choice of receiving either an “I make milk. What’s your superpower?” t-shirt or a “Lactivist” t-shirt. Second and 3rd place winners will receive their choice of a “Lactivist” bumper sticker, a “My honor student was breast-fed” bumper sticker, or a “Jesus was breast-fed” bumper sticker.
Here’s a collage of all of the wonderful entries. Click it to view it larger. :) (Some women sent more than one picture which are included in the collage, but did not count towards the contest.)
Thank you again to everyone who participated! You ladies are all amazing! :)
Oh, and if you have a breastfeeding picture but didn’t get to send it to me in time for the contest, please feel free to email it to me and I will keep building on to the collage, then post it again for World Breastfeeding Week. So keep those pictures coming! Even if you already sent one, but you’d like to submit another for the collage, I will take it! :)
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One final note, if you haven’t yet had a chance to check out the Attachment Parenting International auction, time is running out! The auction closes at 6 p.m. Central Time on Saturday, July 21. There are still a lot of great deals to be had, including on this recently added black MetroWrap baby carrier in the Skull Bling style, as well as a “That’s my baby’s lunch you’re staring at” ringer t-shirt from The Lactivist! Both items are currently well below retail value. Bid now, bid often, get some cool stuff and help support API. :)
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