Mothers across the UK have shared footage of themselves breastfeeding as part of a viral challenge to normalise nursing in public.
Emily Sophie, 26, from Surrey, has gone viral on Facebook after she uploaded footage of herself and friends throwing away cloths and blankets, after showing how difficult it is to try and cover up with one hand, while supporting your baby with the other.
Critics often ask why mothers can’t cover up while breastfeeding in public, but Emily retorted by captioning her post: ‘If my breastfeeding offends you feel free to put a blanket over your head.’
The footage is one of the latest takes on the Don’t Rush Challenge, which sees social media users perform actions to the song Don’t Rush by Young T and Bugsey.
Emily Sophie (pictured), who lives in Surrey, has gone viral on Facebook after uploading footage of mothers throwing away cover-ups while breastfeeding
Adele Dawn Hough (pictured), who lives in Cheshire, donned a black evening dress to show breastfeeding can be done in any outfit
Tiffani Tim Galicza (pictured), 32, from Bedfordshire, explained Emily was inspired to do the viral challenge as a way of normalising breastfeeding and giving others mothers the confidence to do it
Emily’s video which has attracted over 35,000 views shows mothers Sophie Ann Kingsley-Dixon, Emily Sophie, Molly Stevens, Adele Dawn Hough, Harriet Leci, Tiffani Tim Galicza, Katie Lee, Jodie Hatfield and Karen Ann Redmond breastfeeding their babies, before throwing a blanket over the camera.
Tiffani Tim Galicza, told FEMAIL, that the video was initially Emily’s idea as a way of dispelling the negative connotations associated with breastfeeding.
She said: ‘Emily wanted to highlight the stigma around covering babies when breastfeeding. Breastfeeding babies is nothing new, but we have all been made to feel uncomfortable in regards to whether we should cover our children whilst breastfeeding.
‘Emily saw the TikTok trend and decided that she wanted to make a breastfeeding one with none of the babies covered up.
‘We all wanted to highlight to other mothers that they shouldn’t have to be made to feel to cover up whilst breastfeeding unless they choose to.
‘We were all strangers from up and down the UK, never met or spoken before but are all part of a breastfeeding support group on Facebook. Emily put a status up in the group asking if other breastfeeding mums would be interested.
Sophie Ann Kingsley-Dixon, 25, (pictured) filmed herself looking tired with her hair in a high bun, before getting glammed to show herself breastfeeding without covering her baby
Molly Stevens 20, who lives in Somerset, filmed herself wearing a pink robe, for the viral video which has attracted over 35,000 views
‘Also, during quarantine there isn’t a lot else to do at the moment. Separately we all filmed two videos – one looking tired, and attempting to cover our babies heads, the other glammed up, and no covers over the babies.
‘We sent them to Molly who edited all our separate videos to make one big breastfeeding video.
‘Gave us an excuse to get glammed up and have a giggle among ourselves while also raising awareness of covering the child while eating.
‘We’ve had lots of messages from other breastfeeding mothers who have said they don’t have the confidence to feed without covering up.
‘I mean, it’s a pain, and we don’t eat whilst being covered so don’t see why the babies should have to.
‘As long as we’re aware of people and our surroundings and are respectful of others around us, I’m not sure why there is such a taboo around breastfeeding.’
Tiffani explained each of the women in the video are participants of a breastfeeding support group on Facebook. Pictured: Karen Ann Redmond, 32,
Tiffani revealed the mothers also took part in the video as an opportunity to get dressed up during lockdown. Pictured: Harriet Leci, 27,
Many impressed viewers have praised the video for encouraging breastfeeding.
One person wrote: ‘This makes me so happy, go girl! Just got to two years with my daughter and pregnant with baby two almost halfway. I hope to tandem feed. Breastfeeding is amazing and nobody should have to hide it ever’
‘Love this! Too right! About time this was shown as the natural thing it is. You all look beautiful, keep going mamas,’ another said.
A third added: ‘I love this video you’re all so lucky to be able to do this. I feel absolutely gutted that I wasn’t able too, my milk dried up in three weeks so barely got the opportunity to experience the wonders of breastfeeding. Enjoy every second you’re amazing.’
Revealing that she inspired her daughter to breastfeed, a mother wrote: ‘Breast fed my Lucy for two years. Lovely bonding time. She’s 28 now and has children of her own she also breast fed. Love seeing mums feeding. It can be done discreetly. Keep up the good work’
A stream of comments praised the women for taking part in the video, admitting they felt encouraged to breastfeed for themselves
Source: Daily Mail – Articles
