In an exciting development for nursing mothers, the Unicode Consortium has announced the addition of 56 new emojis for 2017. Among them is a groundbreaking breastfeeding emoji, a significant step toward normalizing this natural act. The proposal for this emoji was championed by Maya Thompson, a healthcare professional at the University of London. She highlighted the need for a symbol that reflects the prevalence of breastfeeding across cultures and history.
For years, the baby bottle emoji has been the sole representation of infant feeding in the emoji lexicon, which has its drawbacks. In the U.S., breastfeeding rates are only 49.4% at six months, with many mothers supplementing with formula by the three-month mark. The new breastfeeding emoji, which is expected to be available in various skin tones, could help shift perceptions and make nursing more accepted in public spaces.
Maya pointed out that this emoji could serve as a badge of honor for parents on social media, enabling quick communication about their parenting journeys. Whether it’s sharing a late-night breastfeeding session or updating friends on a baby’s feeding schedule, this emoji could foster a sense of community among mothers. It’s essential to recognize that while the emoji is a positive step, it alone won’t solve the challenges faced by nursing mothers, such as public harassment or lack of support in healthcare settings.
The introduction of this emoji can spark conversations and increase visibility for breastfeeding, which may ultimately lead to better protections and accommodations for nursing moms. You can read more about the significance of this change in our other blog post here.
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In summary, the new breastfeeding emoji represents more than just a cute icon; it embodies a cultural shift towards supporting and normalizing breastfeeding in today’s society. While it won’t solve all challenges, it could be a catalyst for change that encourages acceptance and support for nursing mothers everywhere.
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