World Breastfeeding Week 2020: From Chrissy Teigen to Ashley Graham, Celebs That Talked Openly About Breastfeeding

We are currently observing World Breastfeeding Week 2020 and it will definitely remain incomplete without talking about the strong and powerful celebs who have been filter-less about this subject. Breastfeeding, especially in public is often wrongfully seen as a taboo subject and when important people talk about it and break the stigma around nursing, it lays the foundation of a bigger change.

Saying breastfeeding has immense benefits would be an understatement, it provides the basis of every child's growth giving the best start in life. As per WHO, it provides not only health, nutritional benefits but emotional benefits to both children and mothers as well. While it forms part of a sustainable food system, breastfeeding is not easy and it is important to be there for breastfeeding moms.  WHO believes that "Mothers need support – both to get started and to sustain breastfeeding."

Breast milk contains antibodies that help your baby fight off viruses and bacteria which means that at an early age, it boosts the immune system of the baby. Right from asthma or allergies to ear infections, respiratory illnesses and diarrhoea, breast milk protects the baby from various health issues. It is said that babies who are breastfed exclusively for the first 6 months, without any formula have stronger ability to fight diseases. The theme of World Breastfeeding Week 2020 is “Support breastfeeding for a healthier planet” and while WHO and UNICEF are calling on governments to "protect and promote women’s access to skilled breastfeeding counselling, a critical component of breastfeeding support", we shall talk about some of the strongest women who have come forward talking about breastfeeding:

Ashley Graham

Ashley Graham has not just spoken up about body positivity but about breastfeeding as well. Even when she gave birth to son Isaac in January she ensured to propel body positivity. She shared breastfeeding pictures and birthing pics and empowered the world. Check out this pic of Ashley Graham breastfeeding:

Chrissy Teigen

Chrissy Teigen has been totally outspoken about everything right from her breasts surgeries to birthing to breastfeeding. She has been one celeb who has consistently made us believe that she is just like one of us and how strongly she believes in transperancy.

In a 2016, for an interview, Teigen gave away her honest about breastfeeding. She said, "You just feel like you are just a cow all day. It's hard to work your entire day around getting her all the nourishment she needs." Check out breastfeeding pic of Chrissy Teigen:

Amy Schumer

During her pregnancy, Schumer talking about her struggles with hyperemesis gravidarum, an extreme form of morning sickness and also made it clear that breast pumping is not easy after the birth of son Gene. Take a look at this pic of Any Schumer pumping breast milk and being open about it:

Jessica Alba

Alba has shared breastfeeding pictures of herself from in a board room meeting to a Target dressing room! "I breastfed as long as I could, but not as long as I wanted. I had to get back to work, and I wasn't able to keep it going. But I am proud to say I did the best for my daughters and I'm proud of all of my mom friends for doing the best they can on this issue," she wrote in her 2013 book, The Honest Life: Living Naturally and True to You.

Hilary Duff

In one of the long posts about breastfeeding, Duff wrote:

"Just a few thoughts that I wanted to share on Breast-feeding. Last week was my last week nursing Banks (my six month old)

I am a working mom of two. My goal was to get my little girl to six months and then decide if I (and her of course) wanted to keep going. Let me tell you. Pumping at work sucks. I had zero down time and am usually pumping in a hair and make up trailer while four hands work to get me ready for the next scene with lots of other people around," being brutally honest about the reality of breast pumps. Check out the post:

During the COVID-19 pandemic, it is even more important to find innovative solutions to ensure that access to these essential services is not disrupted and that families continue to receive the breastfeeding counselling they need, says WHO. Therefore it is important to spread positivity about the subject and also do what we can to support nursing moms around us.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 06, 2020 08:15 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).