Without a doubt, breastfeeding is a very emotional journey.
So, it’s not surprising that many nursing moms pen beautiful poetic verses to capture their breastfeeding experiences.
Here are five brilliant breastfeeding poems written by real moms like you (plus two videos).
These poetic verses capture the reality of nursing from struggling to get your baby to latch to breastfeeding beyond the first year.
I’m grateful to each of the five women who graciously permitted me to share their breastfeeding poems in this post.
Be warned, some of these poems will make you cry while others will cause you to burst out laughing!
Enjoy!
Please note that this article may contain affiliate links. You can read my full disclosure at the bottom of this page.
#1. I THOUGHT BY ELIZABETH LUTZ
This pumping poem is by Elizabeth Lutz. She wrote this after struggling to breastfeed her baby who wouldn’t latch.
I love this poem because it reminds me that some mothers will exclusively pump for their babies, and that does NOT take anything away from them in any way!
I thought that latching would be hard but my baby and I would figure it out
I thought that having a freezer full of milk was normal
I thought I would make plenty for my baby, because that’s what my body was built to do.
I thought I would nurse in public and no one would say a word
I thought I would get to have this super special bond with my baby because I breastfed him
I thought I knew what breastfeeding was
I was wrong.
My son never latched, not once, even though we tried and tried
I have seen 11 different lactation consultants
I have never been able to put a single ounce of milk in the freezer.
I do not make enough milk for my baby
I have never nursed in public
I don’t have a “special bond” with my son because of breastfeeding
I didn’t know what breastfeeding was or what it looked like.
Since having my son
I learned that breastfeeding isn’t always feeding from the breast
Exclusively pumping and bottle feeding is breastfeeding and it takes a lot of time and dedication
The “freezer stash” may never come and that is okay, you are feeding your baby not your freezer.
I learned that sometimes our bodies don’t do what you want them to
I increased my supply from 2 oz a day to 21 oz a day and at one point I was pumping 7.5 hours a day trying to increase my supply more
It didn’t happen but I learned that there are amazing people who donate their excess breast milk.
I have gotten many dirty looks and off-handed comments when I pump in public but I simply stand by the fact that I am providing food for my child
I still don’t have a “special bond” with my son because of breastfeeding
I have a special bond with my son because I am his Mama.
I learned that breastfeeding can look so many different ways
I learned that breastfeeding doesn’t always go according to plan and that’s okay
All this to say: you are amazing, no matter what your journey looks like.
#2. A SHORT BREASTFEEDING POEM BY CRISTINA DIMURO TRNIK
This short breastfeeding poem captures the beauty and serenity of nursing your baby.
The softness of the blanket
You asleep on my breast
There is nothing better than…
The calm, the quiet, the rest
Your beautiful face in the dark…
This warm, snuggly feeling…
It’s simply the best
I love you.
Readers Also Love: Can you go 8 hours without breastfeeding?
#3. EMBARRASSED BY HOLLIE MCNISH
Hollie’s Embarrassed is one of the best spoken word on breastfeeding shame out there! Every breastfeeding mom can relate to it one way or another. It’s definitely worth a listen and a re-listen.
You can read more beautiful poems by Holly McNish here.
#4. THEY SAY BY GRÁINNE EVANS
They say is a beautiful poem that addresses people’s judgement about breastfeeding in public, extended breastfeeding amongst other things. This poem reminds us to always be kind and encouraging to nursing mothers.
They say “breastfeeding is rude when you’re out and about”
They say “let them in bed an’ you’ll not get ’em out”
They say “it’s not safe, they need their own cot”
They say “your milk will dry up more likely than not”
They say “babies need to learn to sleep on their own”
They say “put them down, cos it’s well known”
“You’ll be making a rod for your own back”
And “your baby’s sleep schedule is way off track.”
They say “there’s no need to be a martyr”
They say “if you spoil him it’ll be harder”
They say “formula now is just as good
Sure soon he’ll be ready for some ‘real’ food”
They say “surely he can’t be hungry again”?
They say “if you don’t stop nursing now, then when”?
They say “he’s too old and it’s getting weird”
“You don’t want to be breastfeeding when he has a beard.”
They ask “does she sleep? and “is she good?”
“Do she have a routine? She really should.”
They ask “Does she eat three meals a day?
“Does she fuss? Does she follow sleep-eat-play”?
They say “Your baby’s too big, your boobs are too small”
“You’ll not make enough milk to fill her at all”
They say “It’s colic, it’s reflux, it’s her teeth, it’s her ears”
“Do this. Give her that. Here’s a cure for her tears”
Please! Enough is enough, we need to stop it
Call out the nonsense, follow the profit
Let’s say the right things and ask the right questions
And if you’re unsure, here are a few suggestions
Smile and tell mum that she’s doing great
Remember her choices aren’t up for debate
Trust that she knows her own baby best,
And co-sleeping mums actually get the most rest.
Ask how mum’s coping with frequent night feeding
Reassure her it’s normal, celebrate her succeeding
Don’t judge if her toddler is still breastfeeding
Your opinion isn’t something she’s wanting or needing.
Say you can’t hold or cuddle them enough
Explain how it all passes the good and the rough
Normalise growth spurts and development leaps
Agree you can’t always sleep when baby sleeps.
Ask “how can I help, what can I do”?
Encourage and support her to see her plans through
Let her complain, listen without trying to fix it
Make her a cuppa and bring her a biscuit.
Spread word far ‘n wide of normal baby behaviour
‘Till it’s commonly known by the world and its neighbour
End the damaging cycle of misinformation
Check out the evidence, value lactation!
Help empower all mothers, your own business mind
And if ever in doubt, just remember,
Be kind.
Readers Love This Popular Post: Should I Wear A Bra To Bed When Breastfeeding?
#5. MY GOLDEN BOOBS POEM BY NAOMI WILCOX-LEE
Breastfeeding is hard work. So, it’s worth celebrating when you hit major milestones. Naomi wrote this poem about breastfeeding to celebrate making it to one year of breastfeeding. This breastfeeding award is popularly called Golden Boobs. Enjoy!
I am a glorious milky mess
Clipping and unclipping my nursing vest.
I am a radiant milk goddess
Rivers of life run from my breasts.
I am mechanically caressed
Bottling love which I express.
I am always half undressed
To allow for easy boob access!
I am more than what she ingests
I am her comfort and place of rest.
I am a fountain of glorious goodness
A wellspring deep, and rich and endless.
I am squeezed and prodded and pressed
By searching hands on a feeding quest.
I am awoken, and always say yes
Through the early hour’s relentlessness.
I have given her all of my best
And for her, I could never give anything less.
#6. THE BREASTFEEDING SOUNDTRACK BY RIONA O. CONOR
This is technically not a poem but a parody. The funniest and realistic breastfeeding parody I’ve ever seen. I found myself laughing hard and nodding my head to every word she sang.
It’s so good, It’s worth sharing here.
#7. A FUNNY BREASTFEEDING POEM BY REBECCA SKERMER
Sometimes, breastfeeding is painful. Not because of a bad latch but when your baby/toddler decides your boobs are for playing. You’ll find this poetry on breastfeeding, hilarious but honest.
Don’t use my tits as a teether!
My nipples and I need a breather
They’re being misused
And I’m not really amused
I don’t find it cute, either.
You will not get milk with your gnawing
Your gnashers are piercing and scoring
One day you’ll draw blood
And that’ll be no good
I’ll get you a dummy, and that’s boring!
CONCLUSION
Breastfeeding poetry can be simple and fun.
Or they can be deep and used to pass across important messages on breastfeeding shaming like Hollie’s Embarrassed above.
A nursing poem can be used to celebrate meeting a breastfeeding milestone, as a nice caption for Instagram or even given as a Mother’s Day gift.
Other breastfeeding posts you’ll enjoy reading:
- Breastfeeding must-haves for every new mom
- How to breastfeed a tongue-tied baby
- How to prepare for breastfeeding before your baby arrives
- What to put in a breastfeeding gift basket
- Why is my breastmilk salty?
Whatever the case, well done for persisting because breastfeeding is hard work!