Although every day there are more women who publish their photos breastfeeding to celebrate and help normalize breastfeeding, there are still many people who consider this kind of images as something negative or unpleasant.
This is what happened to Nadine Muller, an Australian mother who After receiving comments saying that her breastfeeding photos were "disgusting", she decided to answer them and defend herself.
Nadine is a nurse and fitness blogger from Australia, who occasionally posts photos on her Instagram account where she appears breastfeeding her 16-month-old son. She comments in an interview with the Huffington Post that breastfeeding was not an easy experience for her at the beginning, but that has been one of the sweetest joys Celebrating with photos on Instagram.
BREAK PLEASE !? Family trip to the Sunny Coast has turned into a visit into ED early hours of this morning 👎🏼 The little fella has broken out in a nasty rash top to toe, spiked temp, the runs, chesty cough just to name a few! We legit have had back-to-back illnesses the past 6 weeks, SICKNESS GODS GIVE US A BREAK PLZ !!! 😞… Thankfully we've just been cleared from anything untoward 🙏🏻 We've simply gotta ride yet again another viral infection out (ps he has cut another tooth today too! FML) We are all saaaa tired 😴… Maddens still cracking smiles and giggles, he is such a trooper 💙… To the mums struggling today or any day for that matter, HANG IN THERE, keep doing the good work of mothering, I feel you, as you feel me, We've got this… 'this too shall pass'… Proving yet again that #MOTHERHOOD at once is the hardest, holiest & happiest gig in the world 🌎💕 This photo actually makes me laugh, we are just so tired, thanks for snapping it up hubby @ dtm83 📸… # realtalk #honestparenting #normalisebreastfeeding #breastfeeding #boobiemilk #sickbaby #hospital #motherhood #mumlife #parenting #sleepy #tired #instadaily #instamoment #weekend #family #son # l4l # f4f #toddlersofinstagram #liquidgold #boobs #boobs #boobs #boobs #boobs #boobs #boobs #boobs #boobs # nurselife #normalizebreastfeeding #breastmilk #wefeedunited
A post shared by Nadine Muller> 👻 nadinemuller (@nadinemuller) on Nov 11, 2016 at 4:16 pm PST
Most of the time he receives positive comments, but occasionally some people appear who simply start to leave pejorative comments. When One in particular began to comment in her recent photos that she was only seeking attention and these were "disgusting", decided that it had been enough.
"This time I knew something had to be done"Nadine says."Even if that meant that only a handful of moms felt empowered by this movement, I knew it would be worth it."
So he published a series of photographs where he appears loving his son, accompanied by a message for those who criticize her and for mothers who also breastfeed:
TROLLS If you've followed me for a while, u will know that I've adored the breastfeeding journey I'm on with Madden, it continues to b one of my life's sweetest of joys & I am gratified & incredibly passionate about it. Despite best efforts within society, there is still controversy & somewhat 'taboo' surrounding breastfeeding, today another attempt to shame me on my social media was tried… Firstly, there is nothing 'weird' or 'gross' about these photos & there's no difference in me feeding my child with my breast than someone feeding him / herself with a spoon! Secondly, how about we simply appreciate that any mother has options, the right to her own choices, to feel supported & respected, the right to not have to hide, in fact the right to SHARE & POST proudly if she feels comfortable to do so !… FACT: Mothers don't post these images & videos purely for attention. They don't post photos purely to make a statement. They don't post coz they think everyone should nurse their child out in the open. They don't post advocating that breastfeeding is the only way a baby should be fed. They post because they are #proud, to give other mums encouragement, they post so that other mums feel accepted, supported & respected. So that mums know that it is ok, in fact it is more than just OK, it is celebrated & admired. We share photos to let all mothers know that however u feed ur child, breast or bottle, that it's a beautiful act & bond between a mother & her young, we share photos to advocate that it can be done wherever, whenever & HOWEVER (covered / uncovered) & that u can do so without judgement. Mummy's I urge u to keep posting ur photos, don't fall victim to these people who want to discourage u, keep doing the good work of mothering !! 👊🏼… I'm proud & confident to STAND UP to people's ignorance & enjoy the bonding with my child for all it is worth. If my feeding pics bother u, unfriend, unfollow or plain old mind ur own damn business! ... UMUMS !!! I put this to U, stand up, tag AWAY, repost this & / or post ur fav (past / present) FEEDING photo, TAG ME & hashtag #wefeedunited oh & feel free to tag @picmat to rub salt in the wounds too 😘 He needs to see these beauties!
A post shared by Nadine Muller> 👻 nadinemuller (@nadinemuller) on Feb 19, 2017 at 1:09 am PST
TROLLS If you have followed me for a while, you know that I have adored this journey of breastfeeding in which I meet Madden, it continues to be one of the sweetest joys of my life and I am grateful and incredibly passionate about this. Despite the best efforts of society, there is still controversy and a kind of taboo about breastfeeding, today another attempt was made to embarrass me on my social networks ... First, there is nothing "weird" or "disgusting" about these photos And there is no difference in feeding my son myself with someone who is eating with a spoon! Second, what if we simply appreciate that any mother has options, the right to make her own decisions, to feel supported and respected, the right not to have to hide, in fact the right to SHARE AND PUBLISH proudly if she feels comfortable doing it!… FACT: Mothers do not publish this images and videos for attention. Do not do it by giving a statement. No or they do because they think they should all breastfeed their children in public. They don't do it to imply breastfeeding is the only way a baby should be fed. They publish because they are proud to give other mothers courage, they publish so that other moms feel supported, accepted and respected. So that other mothers know that it is well, in fact, that it is more than good, it is something celebrated and admired. We share photos to let other mothers know that no matter how you feed your child, breast or bottle, it is a beautiful act and a link between a mother and her baby, we share photos to defend what it can be wherever, whenever and HOW IT IS (covered or not) and that you can do it without being judged. Moms, I urge you to continue publishing your photos, don't be victims of these people who want to discourage them, keep doing that good job of being mothers! I am proud and confident to face the ignorance of people and enjoy that bond with my son. If my breastfeeding photos bother you, remove me from your friends, stop following me or just, take care of your own affairs! MOM! I put this on you, get up, tag, republish this or upload your favorite photo breastfeeding (current or recent), TICK ME and use the hashtag #wefeedunited. Oh, and feel free to tag @picmat to add salt to the wound as well, he needs to see those beauties.
At the end of the post she invited the mothers to upload their photos accompanied by the hashtag #WeFeedUnited (We feed together) and comments that she has felt the support of other mothers after that publication. Hopefully this type of publications will help to continue to fight disrespect towards nursing mothers and soon breastfeeding our children is seen as what it is: a natural act of love.
