When I had my first child she was a tiny 5 lbs 2 ounces. She wouldn’t latch and although I had always envisioned myself nursing my children it just wouldn’t work. I turned to pumping and pumped exclusively for 4 months before giving up and feeding her formula. At the time I was disappointed but I didn’t feel like I had failed. Just that maybe I wasn't meant to breastfeed. I accepted it and actually, when I got pregnant with my second I told everyone that Breastfeeding was over rated and if he did not latch I would give him formula without a second thought. I was NOT going to spend my days pumping like I did with DD. The day DS was born he was put to my chest and latched no problem. 40 minutes later he was still nursing and I knew it was meant to be. That night he decided he wanted to nurse every 20 minutes. By the next morning I told my midwife when she arrived that I couldn’t do it anymore. I was so sore and couldn’t even latch him without tears running down my face. She encouraged me to keep going as it would be much easier after a week went by. Day 3 I almost quit again and my hubby cheered me on. I kept going but Day 5 I was bleeding and done with it. My midwife came by that afternoon and sat on my bed and we worked on different nursing positions for over an hour. We got DS to latch in a position that no longer hurt and from there it was a walk in the park. Before DS I never thought I would breastfeed past 6 months nevermind a year. Now, I am not sure when we will stop! It truly is the best bond a mom and baby can have. So in the end I guess all you need is the answer....Why? Why would a busy mom of 2 put so much time and passion into a huge event? Because I am now a huge breastfeeding advocate and I think any woman should feel comfortable doing what is natural, feeding her baby. Anywhere, Anytime! Please come out and join this amazing event. Our mission is to bring normalcy back to breastfeeding and to let women all over Canada know that it is their right to breastfeed in public. You are not required to go to a private location or even cover up. Would you eat with a blanket over your head?!

Shawna Rioux