-
Do you think Maleficent would breastfeed her baby if she had one? Think no more. It doesn't matter. Venezuelan photographer Yakaly Di Roma of Di Roma Photography dressed up as Sleeping Beauty's nemesis and nursed her 3-year-old son Hans for a self-portrait.
Nursing photos usually show an intimate scene of a mom breastfeeding her baby. You don't always see the mom and baby struggling to latch correctly, mom's lack of sleep, baby's nipple biting, and more captured in a shot.
"I wanted to break the rules of the soft and airy mom photo," Yakaly told The Huffington Post. She aimed to highlight the bond she shares with her son, who is diagnosed with autism.
The photo was taken three years ago, but its message is still relevant until now.
Some people find Yakaly's chosen theme different but to each her own, right? Many, however, raised their eyebrows at the fact that she's still breastfeeding her toddler.
ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOWThe photographer's mom shared that Hans has a hard time transitioning, and he breastfeeds for comfort. "Of course, I want to do whatever I can to help him. I just want to be a good mom, and in the end, that's what moms want to do, right? Be good moms to their little ones," she said.
As Yakaly's Instagram caption reads: ''Even villains want the best for their babies. Even villains will do anything for their little ones."
Benefits of extended breastfeeding
Studies show that our ancestors breastfeed until their offspring is 6 years old, so it's not unusual (or worse, wrong). Extended breastfeeding also has its benefits.
Lactation counselor Abbie Venida-Yabot shared in a previous article on Smartparenting.com.ph that older kids who are breastfed longer "receive continued protection" from illnesses through the antibodies present in breast milk. They are also more able to calm themselves during tense situations and focus on their school tasks.
CONTINUE READING BELOWwatch nowExtended breastfeeding also has health benefits to the mother, such as reduced incidence of breast, uterine and endometrial cancer, and reduced risk of osteoporosis and type 2 diabetes, added International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) and pediatrician Dr. Jamie Isip-Cumpas.
Yakaly admitted to Parents that she received "tons of support and tons of hate as well, but wayyyy more support." On her breastfeeding journey, she said: "It's been long, I'm not going to lie. But I wouldn't change anything about it."
ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOWThe breastfeeding mama, now based in the U.K., still nurses Hans, now 6. Yakaly is tandem-feeding him along with her two younger kids, River and newborn Skye.
What other parents are reading
.jpg)
