Exclusively pumping is a big achievement, whether you do it for one year or one week! One way that many moms in our Facebook group celebrate when they’ve reached their goal or when it’s time to wean is with a pumping photoshoot. Here’s some inspiration, plus what you might want to include in your photoshoot!
Pumping Photoshoot Must Haves
What should you include in your photoshoot? Here are a couple of things that are in most pumping celebration pictures!
(I called these must haves, but obviously you can do your photoshoot however you want! These are just the most common elements.)
1. Baby
Almost all exclusive pumping photoshoots include a picture of the reason for all of the hard work – your baby!
Image courtesy Sara (@sgarcia7890)
However, if that’s not possible (some exclusive pumpers are surrogate mothers or pumping for donation after their baby has passed away), some token that celebrates the reason you decided to pump can be nice to include. A donation certificate, for example, can be a good option.
2. Breastmilk
Lots of moms also include breastmilk in their photoshoot.
Milk can be displayed in lots of different forms. Some options that moms like to use include:
- In a milk bath
- In pumping bottles
- Frozen breastmilk bags (sometimes arranged in a pattern)
Image courtesy Kaila (@kailaja)
3. Pump
Lots of moms also like to include their pump!
(One mom actually took a photoshoot of her smashing her pump with a sledgehammer, which I thought was hilarious.)
Image courtesy Jordan (@jgcurfew)
4. Letterboard, Chalkboard, or Sign
Either a letterboard, a chalkboard, or a sign giving some details about your pumping journey can be really fun. Some details that you might want to include are:
- How long you pumped
- How much milk you pumped
- The amount of milk you donated
- The total number of hours you pumped or your total number of pumping sessions
Image courtesy Amanda (@amandanflaugh)
Other Fun Ideas/Elements to Include
Here are a few additional ideas to consider for your pumping photoshoot.
Cute breastfeeding-themed shirts for you and your baby
You can find lots of shirts for you and your baby on Etsy that are cute and funny to celebrate your pumping experience. I love this one that Sarah got:
Image courtesy Sarah Wilson
Milk bath
As I mentioned above, lots of moms like to put their baby in a milk bath for the photos as a way of incorporating breastmilk!
Image courtesy Kristen Goldsworthy
A Themed Cake
Another fun way to celebrate can be with food – I love this cake that Kylene’s wife made when she reached her first pumping goal.
Image courtesy Kylene (@kylenepepper)
Fun Onesies
If you don’t want to be in the picture, you can also get a cute breastmilk-themed onesie for your baby to wear in the photoshoot. Here are some great options on Etsy.
Image courtesy Joleen Bice
Have you done a pumping photoshoot? If I missed any fun ideas, tell us in the comments!
Can you suggest which tub to but and of ehat size for a 9 month baby? Would appreciate links if any?