Breastfeeding Awareness Week 2026

zoemeachem
Aug 3
4 min read

You Don't Have to Stop Before You're Ready: Reflections from Our Breastfeeding Awareness Week Photoshoot

In July, Karina O'Neill Family Photographer organised another Breastfeeding Photoshoot in celebration of Breastfeeding Awareness Week 2026. This is the third year Karina has asked me to come and hold a circle for the mums; a happy space to share their breastfeeding stories and mark the effort, energy, and challenges they've each carried to keep feeding their babies.

I offered a short relaxation and breath connection practice, focusing on the calm we can (eventually!) find in breastfeeding; the feeling of connection, of nurturing our children in such a natural way, with my Yoga Therapist perspective knowing that anything which brings a state of relaxation, can be beneficial for our wellbeing and help us to heal.

A Different Year, A Different Conversation

What was different this year was the age range of the babies. Plenty of older babies, and lots of toddlers. And in the stories mums shared, we heard, time and again, conversations about feeling pressured to stop, feeling self-conscious feeding toddlers outside the home (this was my experience too), and almost feeling like feeding was something they should be hiding, or feel bad about in some way.

It struck me how many of us carry that quiet weight; the sense that there's an invisible deadline on something that is entirely between a mother and her child. My hope is that the sharing of stories, the celebrating the wins and the capturing of stunning photos of older babies and toddlers breastfeeding, more families will feel comfortable and confident in their own decisions, letting go of worry or shame about feeding beyond 6 months.

What the Evidence Actually Says

So I wanted to share a few nuggets of information, expertly offered on the day by Becky Davenport of Feeding Together Worcester.

The World Health Organization recommends:

Adding solid foods from around 6 months, while continuing milk feeds
Continuing to breastfeed for up to 2 years or longer; for as long as both mother and child want to

And globally, the picture looks even broader than most of us realise. The average global weaning age is estimated to be between 2 and 4 years old, and anthropological and traditional data show a natural biological range of 2.5 to 7 years when a child is allowed to self-wean.

In other words: what many of us have been taught to see as "unusual" or "too long" is, biologically and globally, well within the normal range.

My Focus This Breastfeeding Awareness Week

So my focus this year is this: to all the mums, babies, and toddlers who still feed, you don't have to stop before you're both ready. And if you decide it's time, that's okay too. Feel confident in what feels right and natural for you and your baby.

My youngest daughter breastfed until she was 4. I honestly can't remember us stopping; it just faded out without a fuss. We both felt fine about it, and it was a total non-event, which I think is exactly how I'd always choose feeding to end. In our own time, on our own terms, with no pressure from anyone.

Happy Breastfeeding Awareness Week, everyone. Lots of love. 💛

Thank You to a Wonderful Team

Karina, you've done it again. Such stunning photography; the relaxed feeling of the photoshoot really shines through in your work and you know how to choose the best locations!

Becky Davenport was a fountain of knowledge for the mums on the day, and continues to support families across Worcestershire on their breastfeeding journeys. Thank you, Becky; you help so many people.

One special mum to mention: Katie, who faced so many physical challenges to keep feeding her baby. She was even told he would never breastfeed. Well, they proved everyone wrong, and Katie is an absolute superhero for the gargantuan effort she put in; with Becky's support in the background.

And Kate from Nurture Families brought her ever reassuring presence, plus toys and fun for the babies.

Such a marvellous event, and one I was so honoured to be part of. 🙏

A Note on My Role

I want to be clear I'm not a qualified breastfeeding professional. I'm a mum who met my own challenges feeding my first baby; I combi-fed for 6 months, then continued with breast and solids until she was 2.5. With my second, I knew more and felt more clued up, and exclusively breastfed her for as long as we both wanted.

As a yoga teacher and Yoga therapist. I don't ever offer specific advice on techniques or how to feed babies, and I stay within my scope of practice. I'm more of a peer support and someone who offers a safe space to be around other mums. So if you're looking for expert, hands-on support, please reach out to some of Worcestershire's amazing specialists:

There are also lots of excellent breastfeeding support groups across Worcestershire holding regular meet-ups for local mums; always incredible fountains of knowledge!