Women have the legal right to breastfeed in public in the United States. However, some individuals still believe that it is not something that should be done in public.
We can all agree that moms should not be required to hide their breasts when nursing their infants and that they deserve better.
Nobody should be made to give up their right to breastfeed their child because it is the healthiest feeding method.
Many individuals concurred with this, but there were also many who did not.
But many celebrities are challenging these prejudices by making and defending their own breastfeeding decisions. They do it because they can, because they want to, and because they know that, with their example and influence, they can support and inspire all women to do the same.
1. Miranda Kerr
2 months after giving birth to Flynn, the little boy she had with Orlando Bloom in 2011, Miranda Kerr was ready to flap her angel wings again on the Victoria’s Secret catwalk. Her secret? According to her statements, a little genetics and a lot of breastfeeding. And, although she says she wasn’t in any hurry to get her figure back, both genetics and breastfeeding certainly helped.
“I was focused on having a healthy baby, and I had a 10-pound baby!” she said. “I just loved breastfeeding. It was something that came very easily to me and it helped speed up my metabolism. I nursed for a year and a half, and I pumped when I was at work.” Miranda has shared more than one photo with her baby on her social media, where she looks proud of being a mom and of her breastfeeding decision.
2. Hilary Duff
On the other hand, Hilary Duff didn’t have such a good time when mixing breastfeeding and work. Like her, there are many women who are suddenly surprised to feel tremendously guilty for not being able to feed their little ones as they would like, because they have to attend to other responsibilities. For this reason, the actress shared her experience and the reasons that led her to discontinue breastfeeding, a completely valid and respectable decision:
“My goal was to get my little girl to 6 months and then decide if I (and her of course) wanted to keep going. Let me tell you. Pumping at work sucks. I had zero down time and was usually pumping in a hair and makeup trailer while 4 hands work to get me ready for the next scene with lots of other people around. Your milk supply drastically drops when you stop feeding as often and you lose the actual contact and connection with your baby. I want to say I enjoyed (almost) every moment of feeding my daughter.
I felt so lucky to be so close to her and give her that start. I know that many women are not able to and for that I am sympathetic and very grateful that I could. But I needed a break. I was going to break. I was sad and frustrated and feeling like a failure all of the time. Moms get high on feeling like superwomen… because we are! Doing too much, because we can!
I cried many times and felt so depressed while weening. Something scary was hovering over my brain and my heart. I was missing good times with my baby. But I was really missing that natural oxytocin high. Those chemicals are powerful hormones and no joke. I hope this helps anyone who is struggling! Whether you are pre- or postpartum, or just a busy mom.”
Do you believe that breastfeeding in public should be accepted as normal? Or should women cover up, look for a better location, and avoid exposing any body parts when feeding their children?
