I did this a while ago, but never posted on here. I’m lucky and have been able to breastfeed going on 11 months, but as I watched so many of my friends struggle with their supply, or their pump, or how their baby latched, I thought about spreading awareness. We get so wrapped up in “breast is best” and we need to stop. Is breast milk the perfect food for your baby? Yes. Does breastfeeding always work out? No.

I photographed a mom who had a csection, and then her baby was never able to latch so she pumped for 10 months of his life so she could still give him that gift. He was her 4th pregnancy, but only birth. She’s one of the most badass women I know.

I photographed a mom who started pumping at 3 weeks postpartum because she was going back to work anyway, might as well have him get used to the bottle now right?

I photographed a mom who’s supply dried up within a week because her thyroid levels got out of whack. She cried when she had to start supplementing and eventually move over to just formula.

I photographed a mom who induced her lactation so that she could feed one twin while her wife fed the other.

THESE are our stories. This is motherhood. See the full series at Facebook.com/astephensphoto (or search AnnaMarie Stephens Photography) under the “Fed is Best” Photo Series album. There’s a story for each of these women.