A mum who posted a breastfeeding selfie snap in a bid to ‘normalise’ it in public has received support from across the globe.
Lucy Atkinson, 28, had been feeling self-conscious feeding her baby Maya, eight weeks, in public so took to Facebook to make a New Year’s promise.
The picture she posted has since gone viral on the social media platform, receiving support from people across the world - including as far away as Texas.
The graphic designer from Linthorpe, had written alongside the picture why she felt compelled to post the snap, as well as juxtaposing it with a picture of a bikini-clad model.
“It’s really important to me to be able to feed my baby wherever, whenever she needs but I’ve found myself running away from crowded places, scared of what people might think, say and do,” wrote Lucy, who lives with her partner Aaron Cuzzocrea, 34, a business banker for Barclays.
“I know I just need to bite the bullet so here is my New Year’s resolution: to not be scared any more.
“I know it will still be scary but I will try.
“I want to be apart of normalising this so mothers never feel the need to lock themselves away in order to feed their babies, ever again.
“For those who do feel shocked or uncomfortable, that’s not my intention here and would like you to consider this picture of a raunchy model that is displayed in magazines everywhere, up high streets, on billboards, showing no less of herself than me!
“Here’s to boobies everywhere! #FreeTheBoob. Happy 2015! P.S. Sorry Dad!”
#FreeTheBoob is used across the world in the campaign for normalising public breastfeeding.
The debate hit the headlines again recently when UKIP leader Nigel Farage made comments that have since been widely criticised.
He said it was up to venues to decide their rules and that some people were uncomfortable with “ostentatious” breastfeeding.
Businesses may ask mothers to “perhaps sit in a corner”, he suggested.
He was asked about his views on the issue in light of an incident at luxury hotel Claridge’s hotel in London where a mother was asked to cover up with a napkin while feeding her baby daughter.
Lucy, who has gained support with breastfeeding from the Breast Buddies Facebook group which helps breastfeeding mothers from across Teesside, said: “I never expected to feel this way but public breastfeeding but I was feeling more and more nervous and scared to do it - and it was of the most important things for me to do for my baby.
“But I hated it and found myself really scared and running away and thinking ‘somebody’s not going to like me doing this.’
“Breastfeeding is the hardest thing I’ve ever had to and to worry about how people are going feel makes it even more difficult.
“I have had people looking at me but I don’t take that as negative.
“It’s just about normalising it - to have your breasts out for the purpose.
“The more people that do it, the more people will be used to seeing it and don’t feel offended by it or uncomfortable.
“I am very happy to do it for that reason and I want to be a part of normalisation.
“I have no idea how many times the post has been seen but I have had people contacting me from all over the country.”
She added: “I have been really happy with the reaction as it’s been mainly positive.”
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