So, a mom decides to post a photo of herself tandem breastfeeding, and what does she get? A flood of harassing messages from men. Let’s be real: breasts are designed for one primary purpose—feeding babies. Yet, over time, they’ve become tangled up in societal notions of sexuality, leading to a confusing backlash against public breastfeeding. This is exactly why it’s essential for women to normalize breastfeeding, and sharing photos is one way to do it.
In an age where everyone documents their lives online, it’s mind-boggling that women still face backlash for breastfeeding in public or sharing those moments. The negative reactions often come from women, but have you ever considered what men might say?
The Story of Sarah Thompson
Take the story of Sarah Thompson, who recently posted a photo on social media of herself breastfeeding two children—her own and a friend’s baby who needed help while in the hospital. “I got a message from a friend asking if I could help out,” she explained. “The baby’s mom was undergoing surgery and couldn’t feed her.” Without a second thought, Sarah stepped in to help. “I did what I hope anyone would do for my child in a time of need.”
When we featured Sarah’s story, the overwhelming response was heartwarming. However, her joy was short-lived. Shortly after posting, she was inundated with hundreds of explicit messages from men. “This is what I get for feeding a baby,” she said, clearly shaken. “It’s humiliating to even read them.” And we’re not talking about a few offhand comments—there were 400 messages! On a platform where people’s identities are fully visible.
“Why is it that women are afraid to nourish their babies in public?” Sarah asked. “I love your breasts?” Seriously? It’s baffling. Women don’t breastfeed in public for the entertainment of men; they do it out of necessity and to normalize a natural act for other mothers.
Despite the harassment, Sarah received plenty of support from other women, which is refreshing. All she wanted was to share her experience, but the backlash was absurd and completely unacceptable. It makes you wonder if the men sending these messages realize how ridiculous their behavior is.
“Had I known it would go viral, I might have thought twice about posting it,” Sarah lamented.
Resources for Further Reading
If you’re interested in learning more about the nuances of pregnancy and home insemination, check out this excellent resource on the IVF process: What the IVF Process is Really Like. And for those looking to boost fertility, this fertility booster for men might just be the ticket.
For more insights on similar topics, visit our other blog post on contacting us.
Summary
A woman’s attempt to normalize breastfeeding by sharing a photo online resulted in overwhelming support as well as an alarming amount of harassment from men. This highlights the ongoing struggle to separate breastfeeding from sexualization in society and the need for more understanding and support for mothers.