Nursing in my Wedding Dress
Ange A. R.
MN USA
From NEW BEGINNINGS, Vol. 19 No. 2, March-April 2002, p. 51
This past October, on a beautiful
sunny day, my daughter’s father and I were married. It was just
a week after Anela’s first birthday, and she was still breastfeeding
frequently. We have always enjoyed our nursing relationship very much,
and I knew that on the day of our wedding, with all the commotion, she
would need her “nursies” to feel close to mommy often throughout
the day. In my mind I saw her calling for me during our vows, and us
having to sit right there on the altar to nurse. Knowing anything was
possible, my mother, sister, and I brought Anela with us when we went
shopping for my gown. I figured she could give anything I liked a bit
of a test run. Of course, wedding dresses aren’t made breastfeeding-friendly,
but the one I chose made the task manageable.
As expected, on the big day
Anela wanted to be only in my arms the entire morning. I spent as much
time as I could with her, and handed her off to Grandma while I got
ready. I nursed her before putting my dress on, but shortly after finishing
our photographs she was very tired and needed to nurse. We found a quiet
spot in the bride’s room and had a very special moment right before
it was time to walk down the aisle. My sister snapped this photo as
a keepsake, and it’s one of my favorites from that day.
Anela was the best-behaved
child at our wedding, and people commented on that often. At the reception
we snuck away and nursed again, then we danced the night away. I am
so grateful that I got to have these stolen moments on such a hectic
day with my little girl. After all, it was her day too, and she needed
to feel included and loved just as much as I did. Now, at 13 months,
we are still enjoying our “nursie” time. Breastfeeding my
child is one of the best parenting choices I made. Thank you LLL for
all your support, and for making my choice to nurse my daughter beyond
her first year an easy one!
Last updated Tuesday, October 17, 2006 by njb.
Page last edited Sun Oct 14 09:30:12 UTC 2007.
