World Breastfeeding Week - Stars share their stories
"The first week was a lot! From the painful nipples to the engorged boobs but I held on to the bond that was being created with my little girl," says Mpoomy Ledwaba.
World Breastfeeding Week is observed by millions of people around the world every year from 1-7 August.
The 2020 theme is “Support breastfeeding for a healthier planet”.
"Breastfeeding provides every child with the best possible start in life. It delivers health, nutritional and emotional benefits to both children and mothers. And it forms part of a sustainable food system. But while breastfeeding is a natural process, it is not always easy. Mothers need support – both to get started and to sustain breastfeeding," The World Health Organisation (WHO) said.
Famous moms are playing their part by supporting breastfeeding moms and normalising public breastfeeding- which is still seen as unacceptable by some.
Linda Mtoba
Not only does Linda Mtoba love breastfeeding, but she is also an advocate for it. She kicked-off Breastfeeding Week with a special message for moms.
"This baby girl right here is not only my broke bestfriend, she’s my BREASTIE, we’re joined at the boob. One of the very first moments we shared was her latching on to my boob & she hasn’t let go since," she wrote on Instagram.
Mpoomy Ledwaba
YouTube star Mpoomy loves bonding with Nuri during feeds, and shared some breastfeeding tips for moms.
"From the minute I found out I was pregnant with Nuri I looked forward to breastfeeding. I started reading up, preparing myself and consuming food that can assist my milk such as rooibos, oats, and lactation bars. The first week was a lot! From the painful nipples to the engorged boobs but I held on to the bond that was being created with my little girl. Fast forward 20 months later, she’s still breastfeeding, most times with her dirty hands in my mouth and her legs in the air," she wrote on Instagram.
Shay Mitchell
'Pretty Little Liars' star Shay Mitchell welcomed her baby girl, Atlas, in 2019. Her breastfeeding journey got off to a rough start.
"Its been up and down with the breastfeeding. In the beginning, it was really difficult and I definitely had my moments of, 'I can't do this', Googling everything online, asking anybody that I could for advice, and now it's something that we have been able to do, so it's been nice," she told Us Weekly in February.
Ashley Graham
New mom Ashley enjoys breastfeeding her son Issac anywhere and everywhere. She supports public breastfeeding and also pumps milk between feeds while taking Uber rides.
Alanis Morisette
Alanis is also team public breastfeeding. She took this sweet picture during a photoshoot. The singer also appeared on Health magazine's May cover while breastfeeding her baby. Alanis explained why she decided to do the cover.
"Because I love women. I love moms so much. If I talk about it too much, I’ll start crying. I just think moms are so selfless day in and day out—women are just killing it all the time. And they are so often quietly suffering, or not-so-quietly suffering, and still going—functioning sufferers. And if there can be even one moment of respite that my humor around it or my validation of it can help—that’s why I did it. Plus, I love education and teaching," she told the magazine.