Perspectives: Breastfeeding through Children's Eyes Art Project

Yesterday I had an idea. That idea has turned into something I'm very excited about.

Children see and understand more than we give them credit for. They are also more accepting, curious but uninhibited in their quest for understanding. I love that about kids. It can also be a little bit maddening but when I take the time to really see and try to experience the world from my children's perspective I am overwhelmed at the simple beauty they take time to appreciate but I often rush by.


As adults, we love to wax poetic on the things that are important to us. So much so that we can go on and on and on about our favorite topics and we won't be happy until we're sure we've shared it with everyone in the world. Not only shared it, but have them agreeing with us, telling us we are absolutely right. Children also love to talk about their passions but they move on quickly, finding other ways to connect with their passions including creative play and art.


This week we are taking a look at some of the many different perspectives on breastfeeding and one that we want to hold high is breastfeeding from the perspective of children. Using art, any medium, any form, children of all ages are invited to send in their art work expressing how they see breastfeeding, what they think of breastfeeding, and how breastfeeding makes them feel. It can be abstract or literal, a painting or a sculpture, comic strip or a dance. Take a picture (or video if it is a dance or song) and send it to theleakyboob {@} theleakyboob {DOT} com. Visual art will be entered into a contest as we search for a child's artwork to be breastfeeding note cards. The winner will receive a set of their note cards and additional cards will be available for sale through The Leaky B@@b and Paper Mama to benefit Best For Babes.

We want to see any and all artistic expressions of breastfeeding your child creates but here are the guidelines and some tips for an entry to be considered for the contest.

• Colorful images work best and are most eye catching.
• If possible, scan the original artwork on a scanner. If that isn't possible, take as high a quality photo you can with natural lighting, no shadows, and crop to eliminate distractions in the background.
• Bigger may be better as it is easier to scale an image down than to make it bigger and we want to be able to see your child's work well.
• Only visual art, not performance art, can be considered for the contest but please don't let that stop you from sending in a poem, dance, or song your child creates about breastfeeding.
• Multiple submissions by the same artist and family are welcomed.
  
• The deadline is August 9th for a submission to be considered for the contest but we will gladly enjoy seeing your child's art any time.
  

I look forward to seeing the world of breastfeeding from your children's perspective.