Don't mess with breastfeeding mama Candice Swanepoel.
The Victoria's Secret model, who gave birth to son Anacã in October, had a clear message for anyone who thinks nursing should be done behind closed doors. Sharing a black and white image of her baby breastfeeding, Swanepoel questioned why some people shame mothers for feeding their infants in public places, yet don't voice the same concerns about topless editorials she has done in her career.
Swanepoel pointed out the hypocrisy of this, writing, "The world has been desensitized to the sexualization of the breast and to violence on tv... why should it be different when it comes to breastfeeding?"
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Candice Swanepoel breastfeeding
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Comments on Swanepoel's post prove that many people share her views and support normalizing breastfeeding. "World has gone to madness," said one person. Of course, not all of the 6,000-plus comments were positive, and some people who do support breastfeeding as a natural, non-sexual act still believe it's best to "cover up" or "go someplace private."
Doing that for yourself is one thing, but doing it because other people are or may be uncomfortable is another. Every woman has the right to breastfeed her baby in a public place, and if we're forced to stop because of another person's skewed opinion, we're letting them control our natural instincts. Because let's face it, women only breastfeed (be it in public or private) for one reason: They have a hungry child.
It just so happens that the body part required to feed that child is the breast — and no woman should ever feel embarrassed or uncomfortable for doing that. Kudos to Swanepoel and all the other celebrity and non-celebrity moms who continue to take a stand against shamers.
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