And, seriously, why is this still such an issue?
The fact that we're still having the debate about whether or not breastfeeding in public, or putting up a tasteful photo breastfeeding your baby on social media, is acceptable is completely beyond me.
It is natural. And it's why women actually biologically have breasts.
The hyper-sexualisation of boobs comes second.
Whether you choose to breastfeed or not is nobody's business but your own. And, it's a shame that we live in a society where celebrities breastfeeding ends up on our news feeds because they've had to face endless comments accusing them of being disrespectful to society or the like. Women have been breastfeeding since time began and anyone who trolls women, or makes them feel uncomfortable when they're breastfeeding in a public space, was probably breastfed in a public space themselves, too.
Babies get hungry - and sometimes they'll get hungry in a less-than-ideal place. Deal with it. Mothers do.
And now, the President of Kyrgyzstan's youngest daughter has had to speak out since receiving a heap of backlash over a photo she posted on Instagram back in April. (Which, FYI, also included some breastfeeding tips).
Sparking controversy in Kyrgyzstan, Aliya Shagieva's original photo breastfeeding her child left her accused of 'acting immorally' and were forcibly taken down. In fact, even her parents, the President Almazbek Atambayev and First Lady Raisa, warned their daughter of the negative attention she could attract.
So, how did Aliya respond? By continuing to post similar photos on her Instagram feed - and good on her.
'My body is not vulgar,' she told the BBC. ‘It is functional. Its purpose is to fulfil the physiological needs of my baby, not to be sexualised.’
The hyper-sexualisation of breasts needs to stop.
Comments that even suggest a mother breastfeeding in public is immoral need to stop.
So, props to Aliya for standing up for herself, despite the majority trying to tear her actions down. Free the breast, we say.
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