In a surprising turn of events, a mother recently shared a photo of her young daughter, Lily, pretending to breastfeed a doll. While she anticipated a few supportive comments and perhaps some “aww’s” from her friends, she was unprepared for the harsh backlash that followed. The following morning, she was met with an inflammatory post from a so-called friend stating that she should be “punched in the damn face” for allowing her child to imitate breastfeeding.
Choosing to remain anonymous, this mother reached out to a popular Facebook group called Breastfeeding Mama Talk, sharing her experience along with screenshots of her original post and the derogatory comment. In the picture, her two-year-old daughter, Lily, is captured in a shopping cart, lifting her shirt to press a doll to her chest. The mother captioned the image, “You know you’re a breastfeeding mom when you look over in the middle of the store to your toddler saying, ‘Baby cry, baby just wants to eat.’”
To many, this seemed like an innocent moment, but not everyone agreed. In her post on Breastfeeding Mama Talk, the mother explained how she woke up to numerous messages questioning whether the nasty Facebook status was directed at her. It read: “I just saw some of the nastiest stuff of my life!! If you’re okay with your daughter lifting up her shirt and putting her baby doll’s mouth to her little ‘dots’ pretending to breastfeed, then I personally think you need punched in the damn face!!! It’s just simply not okay!!!”
The mother expressed her astonishment at such a harsh reaction. “I am still breastfeeding Lily, and I also formula-fed my son, Max, who is five. Both methods are perfectly valid,” she stated. “How can I or why should I tell her this is wrong when it’s something she knows and understands?”
Many parents would agree that a toddler pretending to feed a doll is harmless, yet certain individuals continue to sexualize breastfeeding. In fact, when a toy company released The Breast Milk Baby—a doll designed to mimic and normalize breastfeeding—numerous people reacted negatively, claiming it was “borderline sexual” and “not appropriate” for children. Some comments absurdly suggested it encouraged “underage sex and pregnancy,” while others questioned what would come next—Ken dolls with condoms?
This unfortunate incident highlights how many still view breastfeeding through a sexualized lens. Women’s bodies are often seen in a perverse light, leading to shame for using breasts for their intended purpose. The negative reaction to this mother’s innocent snapshot underscores the importance of normalizing breastfeeding for children. There is nothing inappropriate about a child mimicking nursing, and those who perceive it as such should reflect on their own views.
Ultimately, this story serves as a reminder of the need for children to grow up viewing breastfeeding as natural and normal. If you’re interested in learning more about home insemination options, you can check out this post on at-home insemination kits. For those seeking authoritative information on pregnancy, the NICHD provides excellent resources.
In summary, a mother faced harsh criticism for sharing a photo of her daughter pretending to breastfeed, revealing society’s ongoing struggle with the normalization of breastfeeding and the sexualization of women’s bodies. Such reactions highlight the necessity of fostering a healthy understanding of breastfeeding in children.