Breastfeeding in public is becoming more and more accepted, but there are still plenty of business owners, church officials, and even cops and other moms, who take offense to -- gasp! -- a mom feeding her hungry child from her breast, in view of others. The worst part is, they have no qualms about insulting moms or kicking them out on the spot.

From the rude to the just plain crude, these are the 2015 breastfeeding news stories that made us scratch our heads, protest and double down on our commitment to normalize breastfeeding. Let moms be moms!

Image via Caroline Combs Hoffman

Babies' brains and bodies develop at a staggering rate. In the beginning, there are so many changes, it seems like you have a new baby every single week!

We can help foster that development in many ways -- even in the little things we do with baby every day, says Tanya Remer Altmann, MD, pediatrician, spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediatrics, and mom of two. Yep, we're doing wonders for our little ones even when doing some of the simplest things. Here's how.

1. Give him tummy time. You can start tummy time as early as day one, says Altmann. Place baby on his tummy for a few minutes a few times a day. This strengthens his head and neck and upper body muscles.

Get down on the floor with your baby and encourage him, suggests Atmann. That added interaction is a bonus for him and for you. It's also fun and bonding to do with older siblings.

By the time baby is 4 to 6 months old, tummy time will probably start to turn into rolling over time, since baby will take the skills he learned from lifting his head and neck and teach himself to fully roll over. Quite a gross motor skill milestone!

More from The Stir: 8 Things You're Already Doing That Bond You and Baby

2. Play peekaboo. This is a good way to get a sweet smile out of your newborn. When your baby is around 3 months old, she may laugh at you while playing peekaboo but may not understand exactly what is going on just yet. For example, if you use a blanket to fully cover your face, a newborn will really believe you are gone.

But if you keep doing it -- around 6 to 8 months -- baby will start to learn you're there even when she can't see you. This is a concept known as object permanence. The interaction and laughing that comes along with peekaboo at any age is great for development as well.

3. Do patty cake. A baby's fine motor skills are developed during a simple game of patty cake or clapping hands. At 3 to 4 months, moms will have to hold their babies' hands to show them the way to clap. This repeated activity helps them develop skills like picking up a spoon and, later down the road, writing. Babies tend to start clapping on their own around 5 to 6 months of age.

4. Hand him textured toys. Babies are very sensory -- they want to touch and put everything in their mouths. Touch-and-feel toys and books are great for stimulating all the senses, helping to develop them. Sensory play also helps develop cognitive, social, emotional, and creative skills as they get older.

More from The Stir: 10 Surprising & Little-Known Milestones in Baby's 1st Month

5. Read to baby. Reading is wonderful for so many reasons. Research shows that reading to baby from day one helps stimulate brain neural connections, which helps with future learning. Reading to a child helps kids learn better than any screen time. When your child hears your voice reading to her, it helps with brain development -- it's like food for the brain. Some studies suggest that babies who are read to often also enjoy learning more as they get older.

6. Feed him a variety of flavors. Even before you get to the first foods, exposing babies to different smells is beneficial, says Altmann. Once baby starts solids, slowly begin to introduce varied smells, tastes, and textures. This is important for development. Babies will be more open to try different flavors and textures if they're given them at the start. This can help them form healthy eating habits.

Image via iStock.com/gradyreese

If we're to believe the movies and storybooks, babies love to fall peacefully asleep to the gentle sounds of "Rock-a-Bye Baby" and "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star." But anyone with a kid knows that sometimes, Bon Jovi or a weird song from your summer camp days can soothe a fussy baby way better than a traditional lullaby ever could.

Every baby is different, so we asked moms what their babies' favorite "lullabies" are (we put lullabies in quotes, because can you really count "99 Bottles Beer on the Wall" as a lullaby? If it's getting your baby to sleep, who cares, right?).

Here's what they said:

"'Moonlight Sonata'! They also like lullaby versions of Coldplay, Sublime, Metallica, Red Hot Chili Peppers, etc."

"My baby loves 'Memory' by Sugarcult and 'Someone Like You' by Adele."

More from The Stir: Quiz: What's Your Nursery Rhyme IQ?

"My babies love 'Let it Go,' 'Do You Wanna Build a Snowman,' and 'Defying Gravity.' So basically they just love Idina Menzel."

"One time when my son was a baby, he was too wired to go to sleep, and I sang '99 Bottles of Beer' to him while bouncing him. My husband thought I was crazy, but the repetition totally worked and he eventually fell asleep."

"'Asleep' by the Smiths. Such a morbid song, but she falls asleep instantly every time I sing it!"

More from The Stir: 8 Popular Songs That Take On a Whole New Meaning When You Have a Baby (PHOTOS)

"I usually just made up my own songs. They like when I sing 'Go go go to sleep, rest your cranky head, please oh please oh please oh please, rest your cranky head ...' to the tune of 'Row Your Boat.' What they don't know won't hurt them!

"I used to sing my second son to sleep with that song by Feist, '1-2-3-4.'"

 "'Wrecking Ball' by Miley Cyrus! I had it stuck in my head once, so I sang it, and it's worked ever since."

"My son has to have 'Where Is My Mind' by the Pixies every night. I'm not sure how this happened, but now I can't stop!"

"I sang 'Simple Man' by Lynyrd Skynyrd to my son every night for almost seven years. As he got older, it was just one verse, and eventually he decided he was too old. My daughter's was the Jack Johnson song from Curious George. Both still make me tear up just a little."

What's your baby's favorite lullaby?

Image via FamVeld/Shutterstock

While the movement to normalize breastfeeding endured more than its share of trolls this year, there are some superstars out there who made us stand up and cheer. 

Here are the 15 best breastfeeding stories of 2015, and here's to a 2016 free of eye-rollingly ignorant breastfeeding objections. 

Image via Ivette Ivens Photography

One of the most important things for parents to remember when it comes to car seat safety: Winter coats and car seats do not mix. Buckling your kid into a car seat with a jacket on can have lethal consequences, so as a general rule, experts say winter coats should not be worn underneath a car seat harness. Yet, many moms either don't know this -- or still worry about keeping their little ones warm. Now, there's a new jacket on the market that's being touted as safe for toddlers and kids to wear in car seats.

The Cozywoggle is a "heavy-duty wind/water-resistant polyester" jacket "lined with cozy fleece." It's made for kids between 18 months and 6 years to wear while they're buckled into a car seat.

How? The side seams have been replaced with zippers that turn the coat into a poncho, so you're able to lift it out of the way and buckle up your kiddo underneath it.

Sounds great, but since experts repeatedly warn about coats and car seats, we wanted to talk to a few of them to see if the Cozywoggle is something we can safely use.

"A car seat is designed to absorb the kinetic energy of a motor vehicle crash by moving within the vehicle while keeping the child secured within the harness," explains Roopa Thakur, MD, a pediatrician at Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio. "This minimizes forces upon the child and prevents injury."

After all, if your little one is bundled up, you've got to loosen the straps of the car seat to squeeze him in, which is a huge no-no, because in the event of a crash, your baby's got a lot of extra wiggle room. He could get injured, or even ejected from the seat, says Dr. Thakur.

What about the Cozywoggle?

"I've had some interactions with the Cozywoggle coat," says Bob Wall, a car seat expert and global advocate for Nuna Baby Essentials, a maker of car seats. "When used, it seems to keep the child warm while keeping the car harnesses free from additional padding that can compress in a crash."

Because of its unique design, Wall adds, "this could be the right option for the cold weather transport of children, without the concern of added slack in the harness straps."

Although Dr. Thakur doesn't have such firsthand experience with the Cozywoggle, after seeing a video about how the coat works, she agrees.

"The coat zips open from the side, allowing the car seat harness to buckle directly against the child's chest," she says. "This eliminates the cushioning effect that a coat might have."

Cherlyn Jenkins, creator of the Cozywoggle, even had the coat tested at a National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)-approved lab. "The tests showed that the Cozywoggle did not impact how the seats performed," she told The Stir. "It is absolutely safe."

But Jesus Alderete, senior injury prevention coordinator at Children's Health in Dallas, Texas, is a bit more skeptical -- even after seeing a video.

"This product is new on the market, so I can't comment specifically about its safety or how it works," Alderete says. "What we do know is that less than one quarter of families uses their child's car seat properly, and automobile crashes are the number one cause of accidental deaths for kids."

Because of that, Alderete says, "We would shy away from products like this unless they've been recommended by a trusted source like the NHTSA."

The NHTSA doesn't endorse products. But according to a spokesperson, the Cozywoggle is "likely safe" as long as the seat straps lie against your child's body and the poncho is on top.

More from The Stir: 10 Common Car Seat Mistakes Parents Make & How to Fix Them

Regardless of whether you try the Cozywoggle, take a sec and refresh yourself on how to keep a baby safe and warm in the car without a traditional winter jacket:

1. After securing your child in the car seat, turn the coat around and put it on backward so the coat functions like a blanket.

2. Lay a blanket over your child (after he or she is strapped in).

3. Try the Car Seat Poncho or make your own. Again, it goes on after the child is strapped in.

4. Dress your child in thermal underwear beneath their clothing.

5. Try a fleece pullover.

Does all this make a wintertime car ride slightly more inconvenient? Sure. But for your kid's safety, we bet you can deal.

Image courtesy of Amber Boyt/Cozywoggle

As wonderful as the latest and greatest gadgets are, did you know they contribute to your daily interruptions, which can negatively impact your bundle of joy? Researchers at the University of California, Irvine, believe inattentive moms yield babies with poor brain development -- and this includes those moms who are constantly on their cell phones.

While smart devices aren't fully to blame, experts at the university's Conte Center on Brain Programming in Adolescent Vulnerabilities have noted their appeal, and our constant draw to their lure.

Seeing as infants depend on Mom's constant nurturing, too many frequent distractions can lead to the following effects in newborns.

More from The Stir: Today I Did an Experiment: I Didn't Put Down My Phone Once & My Kids Are Fine

Can we talk?

Okay, so I know these experts are trying to give moms everywhere stats to help us become better parents and all ... but this sounds crazy! For starters, the study was conducted on rats (yes, rats). Last time I checked, those furry creatures don't have family plans, or the need to shoot a text message to a friend or family member.

Another issue I have with this study is that it focused on the "emotional health" of rats in both calm and chaotic environments. This alone leaves so much room for interpretation. Does this mean moms who use their smartphone devices a little more than others create a household in disarray? Are you deemed calm if you don't pick up any electronic devices, and give your baby your undivided attention 24/7?

As much as we could all use time away from our cell phones, I think this is reaching a bit.

Drug addiction and neurological issues?

Sheesh!

Image via HalfPoint/Shutterstock

There's nothing like holding a sleeping newborn or small baby. It doesn't matter if it's your own kid or someone else's, but the second someone hands you a snoozing bundle of yummy-smelling baby, you find yourself feeling your eyes start to close. 

I don't know if it's because watching them sleep makes you sleepy, or the fact that babies are warm and cozy, but babies may as well be nicknamed Valium. Here are the stages of holding a sleeping baby. 

Someone asks you to hold the baby ...

No problem! You'll be happy to hold the baby! Who wouldn't want to hold the baby?

I mean, you want to hold the baby, even though you have stuff to do ...

Laundry to fold, dinner to make, toys to pick up, Netflix to binge. But sure, you can hold the baby for a few minutes.

More from The Stir: 17 Tricks to Get Baby to Sleep

The problem is, the baby is so cozy ...

And swaddled in a cuddly blankie ...

And did I mention that the baby is all warm? 

Seriously, why is a sleeping baby the coziest thing ever?

And you feel your eyelids start to get heavy ...

And next thing you know, you are asleep too.

You win this time, baby! 

Image via OndroM/Shutterstock 

Almond milk is often marketed as a healthier alternative to traditional cow's milk, but it's definitely not a more nutritious option when it comes to feeding infants -- far from it, as it turns out: An 11-month-old baby in Spain was diagnosed with scurvy after being fed exclusively with the non-dairy, nut-based drink.

Scurvy, a disease rarely found in developed countries, can be caused by a diet deficient in vitamin C. And the saddest thing of all about this particular diagnosis, described this week in the journal Pediatrics, is that it seems to be the result of a mother's best efforts to do what was right for her child. 

According to doctors at Hospital Universitari i Politècnic La Fe de Valencia, the baby was switched from cow's milk formula to an almond-based mixture when he was 2½ months old (at a doctor's suggestion) because he had developed skin rashes. The child rejected his mother's offerings of fruit and vegetable purées at 6 months, and by the time he was 11 months old, he was "tired and irritable," refused to "support his legs on a solid surface," and cried when someone tried to move his legs. Turns out that was because the poor little thing had femur fractures! When doctors discovered how dangerously low his vitamin C levels were, they diagnosed him as having scurvy and started him on vitamin C and D replacement therapy; they also removed almond milk from his diet and began feeding him a combination of formula, fruit, and meat. 

More from The Stir: Rules for Raising a Vegetarian Baby

And to think, his mom was just doing what the doctor suggested. Since most of us tend to get plenty of vitamin C in our fortified diets, we kind of take for granted how important it is, but our bodies desperately need the stuff for collagen production, among other things (and kids desperately need it for proper growth and development). Apparently -- and unfortunately -- the process of making almond milk causes the vitamin C in the nuts to lose its "biological activity." But this probably wasn't something the mom in this situation was aware of (or something the initial doctor who made the recommendation thought about). 

It was a near tragic mistake, but hopefully one other parents can learn from. As the case study authors wrote in Pediatrics, "This case presents scurvy as a new and severe complication of improper use of almond beverage in the first year of life," and "plant-based beverages are not a complete food."

"When plant-based beverages are the exclusive diet in the first year of life and not consumed as a supplement to formula or breastfeeding, it can result in severe nutritional problems," they warned.

Point taken! Here's to a speedy recovery for that baby!

Image via nerissa's ring/Flickr 

According to a recent poll, the biggest fear for most parents is that their baby will stop breathing -- but only one in four would actually know what to do in that unbelievably scary situation. That's why the international first aid charitable organization St. John Ambulance has created a new video that teaches parents the fundamentals of infant CPR via a clever, catchy song!

In times of emergency, it can be next to impossible to remember even the most basic facts (like your name or address!), let alone all the steps to saving a life. But the good news is you'll probably never be able to get this song out of your head, so the useful tips therein might be impossible to forget! Check it out:

See this video on The Stir by CafeMom.

Don't be nurface! Seriously though, this is an incredibly helpful video. To be informed is to be in control. So it's definitely worth it for every parent to commit these potentially life-saving steps to memory, even if you're secretly afraid you wouldn't know how to actually carry them out if the time ever came -- God forbid!

More from The Stir: Aunt's Life-Saving CPR on Baby Caught in Stunning Images (VIDEO)

That's always been my fear, at least. Sure, I've taken infant and child CPR courses, but those dummies aren't very lifelike! It's gotta be a lot harder on an actual kid! Still, I'm thankful to be reminded of how the whole process should work. So, just to review:

Call 911. (If you're alone, give CPR for one minute before calling and take the baby with you to the phone.)

Put your lips around your baby's mouth and nose and blow steadily for up to one second, giving 5 total puffs.

Use two fingers in the center of the chest to give 30 pumps at a rate of 100-120 per minute.

Repeat with two puffs and 30 pumps until the ambulance arrives.

Hey, if puppets can do it, so can you!

Image via St John Ambulance/YouTube

I love when breastfeeding images go viral, because I think it normalizes for the public something that is totally normal. Women can breastfeed before work, before sleep, before meals, before exercise, and even before walking down the aisle. 

Just ask Australian mom Tayla Gillespie, who posted this gorgeous photo of her nursing her 13-month-old child Rohzi before getting married. This gorgeous photo was taken by Danni Evans Photography. 

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Not only is this photograph truly beautiful as far as capturing a moment between mom and baby, but it also has received over 900 shares and 15,799 likes on Facebook, which means that a lot of people have seen it -- including people who still think breastfeeding is a private act and should be done in a closet or something. 

More from The Stir:The 15 Best Breastfeeding Stories of 2015 

Now Tayla has a beautiful reminder of her special day and of sharing a beautiful moment with her special girl. I bet this will inspire a whole lot of brides with babies in the future as far as photo ops go. 

Image via Kagual/Shutterstock 

When it comes to deciding the best place for their baby to sleep, lots of parents are intrigued by the idea of co-sleeping, but are too nervous about the potential dangers to try it. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) cautions against bed-sharing, but they do recommend room-sharing between parents and infants -- so how do you do it without giving up half your room to a bulky crib?

According to the AAP, room-sharing actually reduces the risk of SIDS; it also makes breastfeeding at night easier on exhausted moms and can give babies an increased sense of security. So if you want to maintain some closeness with your little one (as well as avoid the hassles of checking a baby monitor and walking all the way to another room in the middle of the night), here are some alternative ways to keep baby by your side but out of your bed.

1. Bassinet

While your baby will likely outgrow a bassinet quickly, these are a great choice for newborns: They're cozy, they're easy to move (some even have wheels), and they don't take up a lot of room. If you decide to go with a bassinet, just make sure it's well supported with a wide base so it can't be tipped over easily, and make sure your child isn't over the weight limitations. You might also consider a play yard, as many models come with a bassinet attachment; when your baby gets too big for the bassinet function, the enclosed "play" space can be used for sleeping, too.

2. Co-sleeper

Types of co-sleeper products available: a three-sided bassinet-style sleeper that attaches to your bed, and one that you actually place in your bed. Both offer many of the advantages of actual co-sleeping (closeness, better sleep for parents) without the safety concerns. Just check your brand with the pediatrician to be sure it's recommended.

3. Moses Basket

Like in-bed co-sleepers, but even more portable (usually equipped with handles), Moses baskets are practical for families on the go, as it's easy to find a place for them in your room or anywhere else! Have bed, will travel!

More from The Stir: Co-Sleeping With Baby: What's Your Safety IQ? (TRIVIA)

4. Cradle

A cradle is another great choice for newborns, especially since some parents swear by the rocking motion to soothe fussy babies. They are, however, easily knocked over -- so make sure any small children and/or pets steer clear when baby's napping.

5. Floor Mattress

A mattress on the floor next to your bed is a safe, space-saving way to keep a toddler who's too big for the above options (but still too young for his own big bed) in your room. Just don't step on him on your way to the bathroom in the middle of the night!

Image via Wicker Paradise/Flickr

It is one of the cruel ironies of life that while babies may sleep between 12 and 18 hours a day during their first year, many parents feel like they'd be lucky to be getting 12 to 18 hours of sleep a week.

When you have a baby, there is one question that gets asked above all others: Is the baby a "good" sleeper? And as all parents know, the answer to that question isn't a simple yes or no.

The truth is that some babies are easier to get to sleep than others, but thanks to sleep regressions and teething and just plain fickleness, all parents will struggle with getting their baby to sleep at some point.

So, what do you do when your little one needs a little help getting his or her snooze on? You turn to other moms for help, of course! Read on for sleep-inducing tricks and tips from moms who've survived their fair share of sleepless nights and lived to tell about it.

Image via iStock.com/ChristinLola

Here in the USA, families practice many different sleeping styles. Some co-sleep; others stick to the crib. Some sleep train; others wouldn't dream of letting their baby cry. Between us, we have a wide range of bedtimes and rituals. Even so, when we look at how babies around the world sleep, we may be surprised!

Whatever is safe and works for the baby's family is the right thing to do, of course. But I think we can take some pointers from parents around the world to try new tactics when it comes to our babies' sleep. Check out these fascinating sleep habits of babies around the world.

Image via © iStock.com/AMR Image

Advertising agency BooneOakley's new breastfeeding "fruit sticker" campaign is something that will make you do a double take -- or, at the very least, it'll serve as a reminder to eat your fruits and vegetables. Featuring a series of produce-inspired labels, the campaign gives nursing mothers a unique message of support about the "freshness" of breastfeeding that they can place on their boob.

"The best nutrition for your baby is you."

BooneOakley first had their "aha" moment after noticing fruit stickers on produce and how they reiterate the importance of both health and choosing something natural for the body. Calling on photographer Greg Slater, the agency created an ad campaign that promotes breastfeeding for "baby-friendly" hospitals.

The stickers -- which use phrases like "Guaranteed Fresh," "Locally Grown," and "100% Natural" -- also highlight breastfeeding benefits, including declarations that it can reduce the risk of asthma, SIDS, and obesity. Breastfeeding moms can even use them as a fun reminder to switch boobs while nursing their babies.

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What can we say? We just love boobs. https://t.co/Ms7KCR6xsU#breastisbestpic.twitter.com/oxTSRBPNYw

— BooneOakley (@booneoakley) January 25, 2016

In addition to the "freshness" stickers, BooneOakley created a series of wall posters -- featuring real-life women as models, who are either pregnant or nursing -- to echo the advantages of breastfeeding and how nursing a baby doesn't deserve censorship.

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More from The Stir: 4 Surprising Health Benefits of Breastfeeding -- for Moms

Well ... this is definitely a creative way to shine a light on breastfeeding.

The response to this produce-inspired ad has been extremely mixed, which is expected. After all, it's not every day that you see freshness labels put on a woman's breast.

Even though I breastfed my firstborn, and am currently nursing my 7-month-old, I don't think I would put one of these stickers on my breast (stickers can hurt when they come off). I do, however, think the actual posters, which show "freshness" stickers on a mother's breast, are interesting (definitely eye-catching) and have a positive message.

Breastfeeding can be a very touchy subject. Sometimes, it comes easy, and other times, it's not a reality. At the end of the day, moms need to do what they think is best for their babies -- and if this sticker helps make the decision easier, more power to you.

Image via booneoakley/Twitter

If you're a new parent, there's probably a good chance you've been thinking about those oh-so-adorable poses to capture the perfect newborn photo.

Some might use darling props, while others look for a striking backdrop. Have you ever considered incorporating your family pet?

Asiya Khaki is a New York City-area photographer who shot the most cuddly babies you'll see, next to their furry best friends.

Image via Photography by Asiya

There's something so exciting about the transition from formula or breast milk to solid foods. Your baby is sitting upright, has doubled her weight, is able to grasp small objects, and is ready to move beyond liquid nutrition. 

When you get your pediatrician's okay to start solids, those first bites are exciting. But here are other food milestones your baby and toddler will experience that you're going to want to watch.

Baby's First Ice Cream 

This is probably the biggest food milestone, maybe even bigger than baby's first cake. There's nothing like seeing a little baby try melty ice cream for the first time, especially when she ends up wearing more than she eats. 

More from The Stir: What Happens When You Start Supplementing With Formula

Baby's First Cake 

The majority of parents wait until that first birthday to let their baby go to town on cake and frosting, which usually results in a smash cake that the baby can destroy. It's a moment all parents want to have their cell camera ready for! 

Baby's First French Fry 

This one is a sore spot for me, because when my daughter was an infant and she'd never had anything pass her lips that wasn't from bottle or breast, my mother gave her a french fry. Her first french fry. Her first solid food, period. Without my knowing or seeing. She hadn't even had rice cereal yet! I should have been the one to give her this salty, starchy goodness! 

 Baby's First Lemon 

There's a reason parents love giving babies their first taste of lemons. Because the sour faces they make are hilarious. 

Baby's First 'O' Cereal 

There's a reason this is usually baby's first finger food. The 'O' shape makes it basically impossible for baby to choke on it, and it helps baby learn what his fingers are for and practice grasping skills. 

Baby's First Spaghetti 

There is nothing cuter than seeing a baby with a face full of red sauce. 

Baby's First Foot 

Okay, so this one isn't really a food, but how cute is it when baby first learns how to stick his foot into his mouth ... and then he never stops doing it?

Get your camera ready, make sure you only introduce one solid food at a time to watch for allergies, and enjoy these milestones. Before you know it, baby will be ready for her first tacos. 

Images via paintings/Shutterstock; KannaA/Shutterstock; Steve Ikeguchi/Shutterstock; CroMary/Shutterstock; Taborsky/Shutterstock; Christin Lola/Shutterstock; petereleven/Shutterstock; Fotos593/Shutterstock

When it's time for your baby to try some finger foods, you don't need to look in the baby aisle. There are nutritious, whole foods that are baby-friendly and don't come with a ton of added sugar.

These 10 simple foods are not only packed with nutrition, but they're also a healthier alternative to those pre-packaged snacks full of stuff you probably don't want your little one to eat. Yep, babies can eat what we eat -- we just have to tailor the delivery a bit.

Not only are these finger food ideas nutritious, but they're also easy for babies to pick up and gnash. Eat up, baby!

Image via iStock.com/Marilyn Nieves

Most mothers will likely agree that Big Daddy Kane got it wrong: It's breastfeeding that ain't easy -- not pimpin' (sorry!). Brittany Morrison is a Minnesota mom of two whose tandem breastfeeding post has gone viral, and has inspired mommies everywhere to keep fighting the good fight.

"Nursing my girls has been one of the biggest accomplishments I have had!"

In her post on the Breastfeeding Mama Talk Facebook page, Brittany writes a heartfelt post about her experiences breastfeeding -- including the struggles and the victories. No matter the excruciating pain she felt breastfeeding her first daughter, Brittany tried her best to keep on trucking, and thankfully, she was able to accomplish her breastfeeding goals.

As you can see, daughters Lucy, almost 3, and Eleanor, 1, are completely satisfied with Mom's liquid gold.

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Whether or not you agree with public breastfeeding, or posting images that promote the cause, I think it's great that moms feel comfortable enough to share their journeys.

Sometimes, you don't have anyone to look to in your day-to-day group who understands exactly what you're going through. And if Brittany's post makes you feel empowered to keep on trying in the breastfeeding arena, I say mission accomplished.

And two kids at that!

More from The Stir: 11 Beautiful Images of Moms Nursing 2 Kids at Once (PHOTOS)

The truth is, breastfeeding is hard -- and if it were that easy, more women would likely be up for the challenge. Sometimes there are issues latching; sometimes there are issues with milk supply; and sometimes, you're just too dang tired to keep up with it -- or don't have the chance to do so (hey, the struggle is real).

I breastfed my firstborn son until he was 11 months, and am currently nursing my 8-month-old boy. If it wasn't for the honestly of my mom friends, I don't know where I would be today.

Whether you make the choice to breastfeed or not, it's nice to hear about other ladies' stories that might help make your walk a little more manageable.

Thanks for sharing, Brittany!

Image via Breastfeeding Mama Talk/Facebook

It's available to buy online, and people use breast milk -- aka liquid gold -- for all sort of things, including, yes, feeding their babies. But a recent investigation revealed that breast milk bought online contained bacteria that could be harmful to infants. Yikes!

To conduct its investigation, Inside Edition ordered breast milk online from eight different women and then took the samples to a breast milk expert, Dr. David Newburg. (Yes, there is such a thing as a breast milk expert -- who knew?!)

Dr. Newburg found that seven of the eight samples contained potentially dangerous bacteria. Four of the samples contained something called "gram negative bacteria," which apparently can cause infections. And Dr. Newburg says he wouldn't give any of those seven samples to a baby.

More from The Stir: I Had Breast Milk to Sell & Men Coming Out of the Woodwork to Buy It

Inside Edition also bought breast milk in person from a woman in New York City ... and the lab found the level of bacteria in the sample was "just too high to calculate."

Of course, it could just be that those were a lot of unlucky samples, but that's scary. I understand why parents want to give their babies breast milk, and it must be so upsetting if, for whatever reason, the baby's biological mom can't provide it herself.

More from The Stir: 25 Healing Uses for Breast Milk

But the FDA recommendations on purchasing breast milk are clear: Don't feed your baby breast milk that you get through the Internet or from individuals. Instead, the FDA advises you find a local human milk bank, under the guidance of a health-care professional. Because even if the breast milk sellers -- or donors -- are doing their best to keep things sterilized, they just might not be aware of how or what they really need to be doing.

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More from The Stir: Mom Puts Breast Milk Under a Microscope & It Really Is 'Liquid Gold' (PHOTO)

The FDA points to the Human Milk Banking Association of North America (HMBANA) as a resource for finding milk banks.

No matter what you feed your baby -- breast milk or formula -- the most important thing is that you're doing it out of love. That's the real source of nourishment.

Image via Pilin_Petunyia/Shutterstock