TESTIMONIALS
"I am a La Leche League leader and I am always looking for great children’s books about nursing to add to my groups’ lending Library. I was so excited when I found this book. The story is beautiful and well written. It really captured the bond of a nursing mother and baby. I was so touched by the story and illustrations. It brought tears to my eyes. I love that it is a board book so that I can enjoy it with my toddler. I think it’s critical to have quality books that show breastfeeding as normal and natural. Thank you!" -- Justine Hirsch, La Leche League Leader, Gainesville, FL (photo credit Rebecca Carol Photography) |
The birth of an empowering children's book about breastfeeding
I’ve woven two years of inspiring moments with my son into a rhyming children’s book about the nursing relationship between a mother and child. I cherish breastfeeding for many reasons, and I am eager to contribute to the small yet growing collection of children's books honoring and celebrating the gift of nursing.
Vision
A Nursing Love Poem tells the universal story of love between a mother and child through their nursing relationship. The charming, durable book is meant to be read aloud to children, to honor and celebrate the incredible gift of breastfeeding.
A book about nursing
One thing I’ve never been quite sure about is whether the word “nursing” is reflexive. It sure feels like it is. Am I nursing my child, or is he nursing me? Who is comforting whom? Who is helping the other calm down, relax, and rest?
Nursing with my son has always gone both ways. When he first latched on after his birth with me propped up in the hospital bed. While we spent long sun-lit afternoons resting side by side during his infancy. When together, we sought comforting breaks from the emotional highs and lows of toddlerhood,
The word nursing is derived from the Latin word nutrire, which means "to nourish, feed, foster, support, and preserve.” I learned along the way that the “preservation” is literal: through breastfeeding, my body can detect viruses that my baby has been exposed to so I can buffer his immune system with the perfect blend of antibodies in my milk. And that the longer he nurses, the lower my risk of breast cancer.
I had no idea before I became a mother how profoundly life-affirming, empowering, and nourishing the breastfeeding relationship could be, for both mother and child. It inspired me to write A Nursing Love Poem, a rhyming children's book. This sweet and colorful story is a celebration of the nursing relationship. It arose from poems I wrote and sentiments I felt over the first two years of my son's life.
The word nursing is derived from the Latin word nutrire, which means "to nourish, feed, foster, support, and preserve.” I learned along the way that the “preservation” is literal: through breastfeeding, my body can detect viruses that my baby has been exposed to so I can buffer his immune system with the perfect blend of antibodies in my milk. And that the longer he nurses, the lower my risk of breast cancer.
I had no idea before I became a mother how profoundly life-affirming, empowering, and nourishing the breastfeeding relationship could be, for both mother and child. It inspired me to write A Nursing Love Poem, a rhyming children's book. This sweet and colorful story is a celebration of the nursing relationship. It arose from poems I wrote and sentiments I felt over the first two years of my son's life.
Finding the book
I'm so thrilled to share that after a successful crowdfunding campaign, the book is available for purchase! You can find it on Amazon at bit.ly/nursinglovepoem, or you can purchase directly from Michelle with free shipping for a 30% discount using the link below. For questions, please email michelle (at) findmybalance.org. Or, join the Facebook interest group.