World Breastfeeding Week - Stars share their stories

World Breastfeeding Week - Stars share their stories

"The first week was a lot! From the painful nipples to the engorged boobs but I held on to the bond that was being created with my little girl," says Mpoomy Ledwaba.

Linda Mtoba and 'Bean'
Linda Mtoba/ Instagram

World Breastfeeding Week is observed by millions of people around the world every year from 1-7 August.

The 2020 theme is “Support breastfeeding for a healthier planet”.

"Breastfeeding provides every child with the best possible start in life. It delivers health, nutritional and emotional benefits to both children and mothers. And it forms part of a sustainable food system. But while breastfeeding is a natural process, it is not always easy. Mothers need support – both to get started and to sustain breastfeeding," The World Health Organisation (WHO) said.

Famous moms are playing their part by supporting breastfeeding moms and normalising public breastfeeding- which is still seen as unacceptable by some. 

Linda Mtoba

Not only does Linda Mtoba love breastfeeding, but she is also an advocate for it. She kicked-off Breastfeeding Week with a special message for moms.

"This baby girl right here is not only my broke bestfriend, she’s my BREASTIE, we’re joined at the boob. One of the very first moments we shared was her latching on to my boob & she hasn’t let go since," she wrote on Instagram. 

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This upcoming week is breastfeeding awareness week. As you guys know I absolutely love breastfeeding & I’m an advocate of it. This baby girl right here is not only my broke bestfriend, she’s my BREASTIE, we’re joined at the boob😂. One of the very first moments we shared was her latching on to my boob & she hasn’t let go since. Who’s you’re BREASTIE? We’ll be talking & sharing all things BREASTIE related with you my “bosom buddies” 😂. I’m very excited can you tell 😂❤️ - - - Also, me and my Huggies family have teamed up with @nuk_southafrica and Korbell to bring you an amazing hamper during Breastfeeding Week.
Stand a chance to WIN by sharing your “breast friend” with me. You have to be following @huggies_sa and @nuk_southafrica #proudhuggiesmom #korbell #breastfeedingweek #breastfeedingeducation #breastfriend #breastie #breastisbest #liquidgold _ _ 📸 @theshanktank

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Mpoomy Ledwaba

YouTube star Mpoomy loves bonding with Nuri during feeds, and shared some breastfeeding tips for moms.

"From the minute I found out I was pregnant with Nuri I looked forward to breastfeeding. I started reading up, preparing myself and consuming food that can assist my milk such as rooibos, oats, and lactation bars. The first week was a lot! From the painful nipples to the engorged boobs but I held on to the bond that was being created with my little girl. Fast forward 20 months later, she’s still breastfeeding, most times with her dirty hands in my mouth and her legs in the air," she wrote on Instagram. 

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Breastfeeding awareness week! From the minute I found out I was pregnant with Nuri I looked forward to breastfeeding.I started reading up, preparing myself and consuming food that can assist my milk such as rooibos, oats and lactation bars. The first week was a lot! From the painful nipples to the engorged boobs 😢 but I held on to the bond that was being created with my little girl. Fast forward 20 months later, she’s still breastfeeding, most times with her dirty hands in my mouth and her legs in the air 🙈😂 and now she gets to share her mothers breasts with her little brother Zani. I won’t lie and say it’s glamorous, it gets overwhelming and most times I have one on the right and the other on the left. But you know what the moments she forces my boob in Zani’s mouth to help me are worth all the drama. “Antibodies, vitamins, trace elements – and a lot of love: breast milk has everything your child needs for healthy development in the first months” The best breastfeeding advice I can give you is: do it your way and with love❤️❤️❤️ I’m giving away a @nuk_southafrica hamper to one amazing mama, all you have to do is follow @nuk_southafrica and share your unique breastfeeding journey and if you are pregnant, what you look forward to.

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Shay Mitchell

'Pretty Little Liars' star Shay Mitchell welcomed her baby girl, Atlas, in 2019. Her breastfeeding journey got off to a rough start. 

"Its been up and down with the breastfeeding. In the beginning, it was really difficult and I definitely had my moments of, 'I can't do this', Googling everything online, asking anybody that I could for advice, and now it's something that we have been able to do, so it's been nice," she told Us Weekly in February. 

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No caption needed

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Ashley Graham

New mom Ashley enjoys breastfeeding her son Issac anywhere and everywhere. She supports public breastfeeding and also pumps milk between feeds while taking Uber rides. 

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☕️&🥛

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Alanis Morisette

Alanis is also team public breastfeeding. She took this sweet picture during a photoshoot. The singer also appeared on Health magazine's May cover while breastfeeding her baby. Alanis explained why she decided to do the cover.

"Because I love women. I love moms so much. If I talk about it too much, I’ll start crying. I just think moms are so selfless day in and day out—women are just killing it all the time. And they are so often quietly suffering, or not-so-quietly suffering, and still going—functioning sufferers. And if there can be even one moment of respite that my humor around it or my validation of it can help—that’s why I did it. Plus, I love education and teaching," she told the magazine

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@Alanis has been extraordinarily open about dealing with postpartum depression and anxiety in the past, and now she’s sharing the importance of talking to her kids about mental health: “Oh, we talk about therapy all the time,” she says. When one of them asks, ‘what’s therapy?’ the conversation goes something like this: “Oh, therapy is where someone really helps you understand your heart, and your soul, and your mind, and your story, and your thoughts.” . “I want to give them the feeling that they’re not alone, that I’m right here and they can feel it all the way through,” #Alanis continues. “Right now I’m reading a book about emotionally focused family therapy—it gets into the crazy clinical nuts and bolts. I think that’s the new thing. I really think the earlier you get your family into therapy, the better.” . In terms of caring for herself, Alanis says she meditates—but only sometimes. “Sometimes meditating, for anxiety, isn’t the right thing,” she explains. “Being still is the nectar of the gods. Other times it’s like, ‘Oh I’m just going to fall into a pit of anxiety attack right now.’” . Tap the link in bio to read the full interview. (📸: @kayt_jones)

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