Shamed For Breastfeeding: Victoria Secret Angel Points Out What She Thinks is a Double Standard

   By SheSpeaksTeam  Dec 29, 2016

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Though women have made great strides in normalizing public breastfeeding, there are still instances we hear publicized of women being shamed for feeding their infant in public. Now, a Victoria’s Secret supermodel is joining in the debate and speaking out about some blatant double standards she has seen first-hand when it comes to breastfeeding.

Today reports about Victoria Secret Angel Candice Swanepoel who recently took to Instagram to voice her concern over how women are treated when performing the natural act of breastfeeding their children. The South African model recently gave birth to a baby boy she named Anaca.

Swanpoel reveals in her Instagram post that she has experienced shame from strangers when breastfeeding Anaca. She writes, “I have been made to feel the need to cover up and somewhat shy to feed my baby in public places but strangely feel nothing for the topless editorials I've done in the name of art...?” Being a lingerie model and a breastfeeding mom probably highlights the double standard many feel when it comes to this subject.

The super model points out how society seems to turn a blind eye to breasts when they are sexualized, yet seeing a mother perform the natural act of feeding her child often still raises eyebrows. She writes, “Breastfeeding is not sexual, it's natural — Those who feel it is wrong to feed your child in public need to get educated on the benefits breastfeeding has on mother and child and [in turn] on society as a whole.”

Commenters on Swanpoel’s post suggest there are many who support breastfeeding in public, applauding the photo she included of her baby son latched onto her breast. But still others were quick to show their disdain for breastfeeding in public suggesting the debate is likely to carry on for years to come.

What do you think about the double standard Swanpoel points out?

Do you think women should cover up when breastfeeding in public?