Hannah Merrett, a photographer based in Abergavenny, has set about normalising breastfeeding through a series of photographs depicting local mums feeding their little ones in relaxed environments such as at home and out and about in their local community.
The aim of the project is to give women confidence to feed their babies when they’re out – something which can be daunting, particularly for new mothers. The project already has its own online space on Facebook “The Beauty of Mummy’s Milk”, with a photo-a-day being added of little ones feeding. With the backing of local health professionals, flyers and posters are being made to be displayed in the windows of local venues such as coffee shops, to show people that they are breastfeeding friendly. Hannah says “although this should not be necessary, many mothers feel nervous about whether they will receive negative reactions when feeding out and about. A simple window sign can give them the reassurance they need at a time when they might be feeling vulnerable”.
Hannah, a former Special Care Nurse who now specialises in newborn and baby portraits, identified this problem during the many newborn photoshoots she has had locally. “It would quite often turn-out that mums would be feeding their baby during our photo session, and would be asking me (as a mum of three) which places locally are breastfeeding friendly. I, myself, have been lucky in never having received any negative comments when feeding out and about, but the more mums I spoke to it became clear that this was a very real fear. Hopefully this project will give mums in the area some reassurance and solidarity”.
The project itself has gained a huge amount of support very quickly. Since its launch just a few short days ago, Hannah has received in excess of 600 messages from mothers willing to take part and be photographed, and has been in talks with both health professionals and breastfeeding groups locally to see how this project can best help to support breastfeeding mothers.
“With almost 30 mums already photographed and hundreds more on a waiting list, this project is set to really show women in our local area that breastfeeding in public is not as daunting as it may seem at first. My aim is to make as many people as possible comfortable with feeding their baby whenever and wherever they are hungry or need comfort. If this project just helps to give new mums that little confidence boost they need, then it has achieved its goal.”
The project will be running throughout the year – if you are interested in taking part or finding out more, please contact Hannah either through her website www.hannahmerrettphotography.com or via her Facebook Page www.facebook.com/hannahmerrettphotography
Hannah Merrett