08/06/2026
Happy World Breastfeeding Week š¤
Can we be honest for a minute?
Breastfeeding isnāt always the dreamy photos people post.
Itās crying because your baby wonāt latch.
Itās wondering if theyāre getting enough.
Itās pumping at 2 a.m. while everyone else is asleep.
Itās leaking through your shirt in the grocery store.
Itās eating your meal cold because your baby needed you first.
Itās questioning yourself over and over while still showing up for the next feed.
BUTTTTTā¦.
Itās also tiny fingers wrapped around yours.
Sleepy milk smiles.
The way they melt into your chest.
The comfort only you can give.
The quiet moments the world never sees.
Iāve breastfed all four of my babies, and every single journey has been different.
Iāve experienced oversupply.
Iāve experienced painful feeds.
Iāve navigated lip and tongue ties.
Iāve sat through the emotions of watching my baby undergo a lip and tongue tie release, praying it would help us both.
Iāve watched my supply change and had to learn all over again what my baby and my body needed.
This time has stretched me more than I expected.
As a doula, I teach breastfeeding. I help families prepare for it. I support mothers through it and work with amazing Ibclc who continue the amazing work.
But when itās your own baby in your arms, itās different.
Iāve cried.
Iāve questioned myself.
Iāve celebrated the smallest victories.
Iāve worried over feeds that hurt and wondered if we were ever going to find our rhythm.
And slowly⦠weāre getting there.
This journey has reminded me that breastfeeding isnāt just about making milk.
Itās about perseverance.
Itās about surrender.
Itās about asking for help.
Itās about giving yourself grace when things donāt go the way you imagined.
Iāve walked beside mothers with low supply, oversupply, NICU babies, tongue ties, mastitis, painful latches, pumping journeys, and mothers who lovingly chose another way to feed their babies.
Every single one of those mothers deserves to be celebrated.
So this week, donāt just celebrate breastfeeding.
Celebrate the mothers.
The ones who keep showing up.
The ones who cry in the shower.
The ones who celebrate every good latch.
The ones who are exhausted but keep loving fiercely.
Because when we support mothers, babies thrive.
From one mama whoās lived the highs and lows of breastfeeding, and from a doula who has the privilege of walking beside other women through theirsā¦
Happy World Breastfeeding Week.
You are not failing.
You are not alone.
Your journey doesnāt have to look like anyone elseās to be beautiful.
Keep going, mama. Iām cheering for you. š¤
Mama Bare Doula Leah Condel Milk & Honey Lactation Services, LLC Lactation Consultants of East Texas