Breastfeeding is a beautiful journey and each mom should be given the freedom to feed and freedom to choose. But, this seems like a rocky ride for women in our country, who are still shamed for their choices and feeding their kids in public. We are fighting against this stigma and trying to break stereotypes around breastfeeding and normalize it. We can’t thank these celeb moms enough for being the voice of many women in the country, who got candid and won applause.
Neha Dhupia
Neha Dhupia came up with her breastfeeding journey when she delivered her first baby girl Mehr Dhupia. Taking to her Instagram, second-time mom-to-be Neha wrote, “Once I was on a plane and had to feed her, and I literally had to take her to the washroom and was only hoping that the seat belt sign does not come on before she is done …of course, I came out and apologized for using the washroom for so long… now here’s the real deal … I honestly don’t understand the consciousness behind doing something so right n so beautiful. I’m also super grateful for all the amazing people in my life for making this journey easier but the truth is I know I’m not alone in feeling that there has to be a slight shift in our mentalities, in the fact that we need more facilities for breastfeeding moms with their babies or even their breast pumps …and the only way this can happen is if we start a conversation.” She also started a social media handle called Freedom to feed, where she talks about normalizing breastfeeding. Neha is currently pregnant with her second child with Angad Bedi.
Lisa Haydon
Lisa Haydon uploaded a picture of herself breastfeeding her child. “Breastfeeding has played such a big part in getting back into shape after giving birth to my baby. Breastfeeding has been challenging time-consuming (literally hours spent every day trying to stimulate milk supply) but it’s such a beautiful way to bond and connect with your child plus all the nutritional benefits that your child gets from your milk,” read her post.
Mira Rajput
Shahid Kapoor’s wife and mother to two, Mira Rajput was very clear about wanting to breastfeed her babies and said that it is the best gift one can give to a baby: “I have spoken about the importance of feeding the baby in the past too. I was extremely religious with Misha and I am going to do the same with my newborn. It is the greatest gift you can give your baby.”
Anita Hassanandani
“Breastfeeding is normal and should be normalised. I feel that people are evolving and today if we’re talking about it, then that in itself is a big step. Things are changing and I’m sure we’ll reach a stage where it’ll normalise because it’s our right. That should and that must happen. As a new mother, I’m not hesitant or I don’t get conscious at all to breastfeed, because, for me, my child is my priority. Nothing else really comes to my mind that should I or should I not. Shaming mothers for breastfeeding is horrendous.”
Ekta Kaul
Breastfeeding is a biological norm and it’s sad when people make it vulgar. I don’t understand why something so normal and so natural is being sensationalised. Why are we belittled and cornered for showing our body when we are feeding our child? I just feel that everyone sees breasts sexually, so when they see a baby there, it just confuses them and makes them uncomfortable. Logically speaking, there are other sexual parts of the body as well. Like the neck, legs, etc but do we hide them? No. But with breast, there are years of weird programming that says it’s sexual and we can use it to sell things but can’t feed a baby. It’s a mother’s right to breastfeed her baby. They should be empowered to feed anywhere, everywhere.
Happy World Breastfeeding Week to all the moms and moms-to-be. We hope you cherish and enjoy this lovely phase of life by normalizing breastfeeding.
