A mum who shared photos of her breastfeeding her 16-month-old son on Instagram, was sadly attacked by trolls, commenting that the pictures were ‘gross’.
Nadine Muller, a registered nurse and fitness blogger, has never been shy in sharing pictures of her breastfeeding her son, Madden. The mum admits her breastfeeding journey was difficult to start with, but it is now one of life’s ‘sweetest joys’ and she loves sharing the pictures with her online community.
This is how we are spending most of the day ?? Thanks to those who have sent well wishes after seeing my instastory! Poor Madden has come down with the dreaded gastro bug ? I’m currently cleaning runny ? (that his nappy couldn’t contain) off our mattress while I was putting the sheets and mattress protector in the wash for the second time (just my luck ?). The boss has insisted to wear one shoe the entire day, has been hanging off these on rotate whilst nipple crippling the other while he’s at it, I’ve read the same Spot book about 50million times over at his request and I’m not even rousing on him for getting into all of the outta-bounds cupboards that he’s obsessed with, WHATEVER makes you happy baby! ? Gastro can go EAD! ? . . . ______________________________________________________ #son #toddler #mumsofinstagram #babiesofinstagram #instababy #sick #breastfeeding #normalisebreastfeeding #breastmilk #candidchildhood #lifewithababy #babyspam #gastrobug #motherhood #mumlife #realparenting #letthembelittle #parenthood #instalove #babiesofig #love #picoftheday #instamum #instamoment #instagood by @_nadinemuller
But after yet another troll comment on her most recent picture, she had had enough.
Muller told the HuffPost, “This time I knew that something needed to be done.
“Even if it meant that just a small handful of mums felt empowered from this movement then I knew it would be worth it.”
Muller posted a slideshow of breastfeeding photos with this message for her trolls:
FACT: Mothers don’t post these images & videos purely for attention. They don’t post photos purely to make a statement. They don’t post coz [sic] they think everyone should nurse their child out in the open. They don’t post advocating that breastfeeding is the only way a baby should be fed. They post because they are #proud, to give other mums encouragement, they post so that other mums feel accepted, supported & respected.
[TROLLS] If u’ve followed me for a while, u will know that I’ve adored the breastfeeding journey I’m on with Madden, it continues to b one of my life’s sweetest of joys & I am gratified & incredibly passionate about it. Despite best efforts within society, there is still controversy & somewhat ‘taboo’ surrounding breastfeeding, today another attempt to shame me on my social media was tried…Firstly, there is nothing ‘weird’ or ‘gross’ about these photos & there’s no difference in me feeding my child with my breast than someone feeding him/herself with a spoon! Secondly, how about we simply appreciate that any mother has options, the right to her own choices, to feel supported & respected, the right to not have to hide, in fact the right to SHARE & POST proudly if she feels comfortable to do so! … FACT: Mothers don’t post these images & videos purely for attention. They don’t post photos purely to make a statement. They don’t post coz they think everyone should nurse their child out in the open. They don’t post advocating that breastfeeding is the only way a baby should be fed. They post because they are #proud, to give other mums encouragement, they post so that other mums feel accepted, supported & respected. So that mums know that it is ok, in fact it is more than just OK, it is celebrated & admired. We share photos to let all mothers know that however u feed ur child, breast or bottle, that it’s a beautiful act & bond between a mother & her young, we share photos to advocate that it can be done wherever, whenever & HOWEVER (covered or uncovered) & that u can do so without judgement. Mummy’s I urge u to keep posting ur photos, don’t fall victim to these people who want to discourage u, keep doing the good work of mothering!!?? … I’m damn proud & confident to STAND UP to people’s ignorance & enjoy the bonding with my child for all it is worth. If my breastfeeding pics bother u, unfriend, unfollow or plain old mind ur own damn business! … ??MUMMIES!!! I put this to U, let’s stand up, tag ur fellow mums, repost this &/or post ur fav (past or present) FEEDING photo,TAG ME & hashtag #wefeedunited oh & feel free to tag @picmat to rub salt in the wounds too ? by @_nadinemuller
The hashtag #WeFeedUnited was created by Muller to support mums sharing their nursing photos.
“I know as a result we all felt supported, respected, we all felt the right to not have to hide, we felt encouraged and accepted and most of all we felt proud.”
“Forget [the series] ‘Band of Brothers,’ this was ‘Band of Mothers.’”
Muller was also open in sharing how it doesn’t matter which way a mother feeds her child.
“I believe the pressure of breastfeeding is so overwhelming these days, we are all on our own unique journey through motherhood and however we (and our babies and our bodies) decide to nurture our children we know it is always done with great love regardless of the method,” she told HuffPost.
The stunning mum received supportive comments in response, with many thanking the mum for being a positive inspiration.
