Triathlon mom goes viral for post-race breastfeeding photo
It’s always a big moment when a runner gone mom partakes on her first postpartum run and then her first race since delivery. For 28-year-old Katrina Bolduc, though, her major milestone came when she became a triathlon mom. Katrina had her first child, Grayson, last December, after being told she and her husband would not have children. The yoga instructor and endurance athlete took on training for her fifth triathlon in order to prove to herself and other moms that even with a newborn, women can get back to being active.
“I think sometimes society kind of pushes [new moms] aside and expects us to stay at home and not work out and just be a mom,” Bolduc told SELF.
Katrina posted her post-race breastfeeding photo to the Breastfeeding Mama Talk Facebook page to share her experience, which was a very positive one . She said she wore an easy-access top for immediate feeding after the race and most people around her tended to not notice or even congratulate her.
““The fact that people choose to say something like, ‘Congrats, mama,’ versus just walking by made me feel really good,” Bolduc says. “I think it’s an acknowledgement of, ‘Wow, you’re a mom and you just finished this race and now you’re feeding your child.’ It was so much more than, ‘Oh, good job you finished a race.’”
Argentina journalists breastfeed live on air
As World Breastfeeding Week approaches, journalists in Argentina took to live television with a major statement for public breastfeeding by nursing their children on live television. Their video has gained major attention and gone viral on social media, displaying great support for public breastfeeding.
Too poor to breastfeed
“Breast is best” is preached to expectant moms and often to mothers with newborns (especially when they are not breastfeeding). A common piece of ammunition against a mom not nursing is the fact formula costs money and breastfeeding is free–it can’t get any easier than free, right? Mary Sauer shared her personal story on the truth of her decision about breastfeeding.
In Sauer’s case, like many, she did not “choose” to not breastfeed. The decision was also not a case of being incapable of nursing a baby (medically, biologically, etc.). Instead, it’s the sad truth that paying for formula is “cheaper” than breastfeeding.
“Unfortunately, there is a sharp socioeconomic divide when it comes to breastfeeding,” Jennifer Grayson explains in her op-ed for the LA Times. “Studies show a distinct correlation between parents’ income and education levels and a mother’s likelihood of breastfeeding. Privilege helps a lot.” [Read more from Sauer here.]
Celebrity spottings: Mila Kunis and Liv Tyler
In an interview with Vanity Fair, actress Mila Kunis shared her experience of breastfeeding shaming–showing that the poor treatment isn’t limited to any one group of mothers. Even celebrities like Kunis, mother of one and expecting number two, feel the judgement.
“I support every woman’s choice in what she wants to do and whatever makes them happy, but for me, I did nurse my child and I literally breastfed everywhere,” Kunis said. “I just did it in a restaurant, in the subway, in the park, at airports, and in planes. Why did I do it in public? Because I had to feed my child. She’s hungry. I need to feed her whether it’s out of a bottle or out of my boob no matter where I was.”
Another celebrity mom not afraid to show her love of breastfeeding is Liv Tyler. The actress is known to share special moments between her and daughter Lula through her Instagram account, including a recent breastfeeding image. [Read more here.]
Mermaid moms breastfeed in photo shoot
Mermaid Aubrie, of Kailua, Hawaii, regularly shares gorgeous photos to her Instagram account of herself breastfeeding and has even done so dressed as a mermaid. Her original mermaid photo was taken to take a stand against those who shame mothers who nurse in public. Photographer Kyiera Jones has also used the beauty of mermaids to help build the confidence and display the beauty that exist in breastfeeding. The photoshoots even feature the babies in mermaid tails.
“There are so many women ashamed of publicly breastfeeding when they shouldn’t be,” Jones shared. “I have become a big supporter because I remember sitting in IHOP my first time nursing in public–covered and nervous of people watching–when I shouldn’t have to feel that way.” [Read more here.]
