Jama Williamson's Breastfeeding Story

The Stats:

Name: Jama Williamson
Age: 36
Occupation: Actress
Children: One daughter, Adeline Rose (2 1/2 years) and another baby girl due in September

TB: What are some of the best things that came out of breastfeeding your daughter?

JW: I benefited from a tremendous bond that I had instantly and consistently with my daughter. For her she benefited from feeling very connected to her mom, but also from being really healthy. My baby never got sick the whole time I was breast feeding. She was incredibly healthy. Her little immune system was tough as nails. Also another thing that I feel really strongly about is how easy it was to breastfeed. I would see my friends gathering all their bottles and formula and the thing and the big cooler and I never had to deal. I could just walk out my door. I felt very free, and very mobile with breastfeeding.

TB: How do you feel about breastfeeding in public?

JW: Well, I think there’s such a stigma about breastfeeding in public and you know it is the most natural thing in the world. It’s a little tiny infant that needs to be nourished. What is more beautiful and perfect than that? So if they need to be nourished when I’m at the playground then it’s going to happen. If someone feels uncomfortable, I’m not going to put their feelings before the child that needs to be fed. I don’t think there is an inappropriate place to breast feed. The most important thing is the baby’s needs.

TB: You’re pregnant with your second child. Will you breastfeed her too?

JW: Oh yeah, I’m definitely going to breast feed the next one. Although I’ve heard that it’s different — that every baby is different. So your first experience doesn’t necessarily mean you’re going to have the same experience the next time around. If you had a great experience the first time it might not mean that the second time, and vice versa. If you struggled the first time try again, because you just never know how a baby will latch. And it’s such a symbiotic experience, so you just don’t know until you try, but I’m definitely going to try.

TB: Any advice for new moms?

JW: Don’t give up. It might be a little difficult the first couple weeks, but once you get over that hump, it’s the most magical wonderful natural thing in the world, and a huge bonding experience for you and your baby. Just make sure you take really good care of your boobs. I was a big believer in every time after I would breastfeed I would put the salve on the boob which was great, and I never had any cracking or bleeding or any of those weird crazy problems. Do that every single time, ladies.

Hey preggers! Have you heard of Bellybuds, the bellyphones for your bump? Jama’s husband Curtis started the company while she was pregnant with Addy!