Joanne Larby is encouraging mums not to put their lives on hold while breastfeeding.
The influencer and mum-of-three shared an honest post with her followers this week, opening up about her experience breastfeeding over the last five years and why she believes motherhood doesn’t mean sacrificing your sense of self.
“I’ve been pregnant or feeding for the last five years straight, and if there’s one thing I wish more mums knew, it’s that breastfeeding doesn’t mean your life is over,” she wrote.
“It doesn’t mean you can’t wear the dress, go on the holiday, enjoy the dinner, or feel good about yourself.”
Sharing snaps from a recent family holiday, Joanne explained that while breastfeeding requires some planning and flexibility, it hasn’t stopped her from enjoying life’s special moments.
“On this trip, I wore the outfits I wanted to wear. Some nights I skipped a nursing bra altogether, other nights I wore a pretty one because it made me feel a bit more like myself.”
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She admitted that it wasn’t always practical, joking that there were moments when she found herself “half undressed in a car” or feeding her baby just as her food arrived.
“But that’s motherhood, and the reality of putting your baby first,” she said.
Joanne went on to explain how she and her husband made things work during evenings away, revealing that she would feed her youngest son, Wilder, before dinner and settle him to sleep in a carrier while they enjoyed their meal.
While some people may view extended breastfeeding as limiting, Joanne said her own experience has been the complete opposite.
“I think there’s this idea that if you breastfeed beyond babyhood, you’re somehow giving up your freedom. Honestly, I’ve found the opposite.”
“The longer I’ve breastfed, the easier life has become. No bottles, no packing feeds, no trying to settle an upset toddler without the one thing that works every time.”
She also revealed that Wilder slept through both flights during their travels thanks to breastfeeding.
Ending her post with an empowering message for fellow mums, Joanne encouraged women not to feel like they have to choose between motherhood and their own identity.
“You don’t have to choose between being a mum and being yourself.”
“I’ve learned to actually embrace the fact that being a mum is my identity, because this is the beautiful path I chose.”
She concluded with a reminder that mothers can still enjoy life while doing what works best for their family.
“You can wear the dress. You can order the cocktail (or mocktail). You can stay out for dinner. You can travel. You can breastfeed for as long as it works for you and your child.”
