How a Breastfeeding Photo Capturing "Wave of Sadness" Is Giving Other Moms Hope

When Tess Holliday was scrolling through the photos on her phone, she came across the breastfeeding snapshot from last September and it gave her pause. Instead of ignoring or shying away from the feelings that this #TBT brought, Tess is opening about the difficulties this photo represents as an important reminder to other struggling moms.

"This photo was taken at my dear friends' home during a dark time in my life," she captioned the snapshot on Instagram. "I was an emotional mess and struggling to find my way as a new mom again."

When Tess first looked at this photo, "a wave of sadness poured over" her, but today it represents how much she's grown. "Now, I only see my tiny bubs nursing and Sweetie looking on like a nervous new mom," she wrote. "Life is messy, love is complicated, and it can all feel so overwhelming but we grow and learn."

Whether it's talking about her postpartum body or proudly breastfeeding during the Women's March, Tess has been open about both the joys and hardships of her parenthood journey. Despite the pain and uncertainty that this photo once elicited, Tess wants others to know what it's like looking back from the other side: "I'm so grateful for my life and appreciate it all, even if I can't always see the light at the end . . . it's there. Promise."