Posting breastfeeding snaps on social media: promoting awareness or attention seeking?

Amanda Cassidy

…..or maybe a bit of both?

Tamara Ecclestone has slammed the “bitter people” who have criticised her for posting pictures of herself nursing her daughter.

The socialite was pictured in her daughter’s luxurious bedroom breastfeeding the three-year-old Sophia.

Although many of her fans commented that they loved the photo, the 32-year-old has lashed out as those who had criticised her choice:

“Find it a very sad and surprising sign of the times and the world we live in that the act of breastfeeding your child evokes such hatred in so many bitter people.”

The criticisms seem to be angled not about the act of breastfeeding but instead, that was perhaps an exploitation of what should be an intimate moment.

Many wonder about the relevance of photographing these moments all. Is it to raise awareness, to normalise breastfeeding, simply for others voyeurism or is it just pure attention seeking?

Find it a very sad and surprising sign of the times and the world we live in that the act of breast feeding your child evokes such hatred in so many bitter people. I am astonished that breast feeding mums get such a hard time as there is no reason why we should. I would never ask someone when they will take away their toddlers bottle or follow on formula or cows milk or dummy or comforter nor do I judge those who choose to formula feed their children of give them cows milk. I support and empower all mums and I personally believe hatred is so heavy and bad for the soul. I hope by the time Fifi is a mumma people who have chosen to be open about Their breast feeding journey will mean that seeing a picture of a mum feeding their child won’t evoke any reaction and that it is seen only for what it is a mum doing her best. To me there is nothing but love in this photograph and I find is such a shame that it brings out anger in some of you it’s sad for you that that’s how you choose to live particularly those that have made comments trying to sexualise breastfeeding are particularly unwell. I chose love. I want my daughter to grow up in a better world where this is nothing but normal in a better world.

A photo posted by Tamara Ecclestone Rutland (@tamaraecclestoneofficial) on Feb 9, 2017 at 4:51am PST

The daughter of Bernie Ecclestone of Formula 1 fame said she was horrified by some of the reactions:

“I am astonished that breastfeeding mums get such a hard time as there is no reason why we should. I would never ask someone ‘when they will take away their toddler’s bottle or follow on formula or cow’s milk or dummy or comforter’ nor do I judge those who choose to formula feed their children or give them cow’s milk. I support and empower all mums and I personally believe hatred is so heavy and bad for the soul.”

This week Peter Andre also came under attack from people on social media who felt the picture he took of his wife, Emily feeding their son was “staged” and “inappropriate”.

I walked in and saw this. Just perfect #hungrylad

A photo posted by Peter Andre (@peterandre) on Feb 9, 2017 at 1:57pm PST
Oversharing is a current phenomen we are, unfortunately, getting used to via social media, but who gets to decide if it is artistic or informative to post pictures breastfeeding your child? And why do people feel they need to pass remarks on it.
Everyone knows it is a natural way of feeding your child and let’s be honest, the bottle v breastfeeding debate, which has been done to death, continues to raise it’s ugly head over and over again.

I have fed my children both ways. I can appreciate what a beautiful moment it is to share with your child – faces close, eye-to-eye, snuggled up together – bottle or breast.
What I find hard to appreciate is some of the extent some celebrities go to to post pictures of them nursing their infants often in a faux “educational” manner.
And I am calling attention seeking – I think they are simply milking it.

Let us know your thoughts on this rather controversial topic