Lydia Hearst 'Nurses' Dolls in Powerful Breastfeeding PSA: 'No Woman Should Be Shamed for This'

Jen Juneau
Updated

Lydia Hearst isn’t a mom herself yet, but she’s already championing the normalization of breastfeeding.

In an impassioned message she posted to Instagram alongside a photo of herself “nursing” two baby dolls, the model and actress wrote that she was “honored” to be part of the Equinox shoot because “Women and their bodies, all people are beautiful.”

“I find it appalling that anyone would sexualize or look down upon one of the most natural and beautiful things a woman can do, which is to feed, nurture and love a child,” mused Hearst, 34. “No woman should be shamed for this. Society has sexualized breasts and anyone‘s resentment and disappointment toward this act is nothing more than their own projection of self-disgust.”

Hearst went on to say, “I respect everyone’s right to have an opinion, but I do not agree with the hate and shame cast [upon] any woman for breastfeeding.”

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#TBT Steven Klein masterfully captured social commentaries through this lens bringing about important discussions on various socially relevant issues. I am honored to have been a part of this production and to be in this campaign for @equinox. Women and their bodies, all people are beautiful. I find it appalling that anyone would sexualize or look down upon one of the most natural and beautiful things a woman can do, which is to feed, nurture, and love a child. No woman should be shamed for this. Society has sexualized breasts and anyone's resentment and disappointment toward this act is nothing more than their own projection of self-disgust. I respect everyone's right to have an opinion, but I do not agree with the hate and shame cast up any woman for breastfeeding. This is a beautiful and natural act. For the record, the infants here are dolls, but that does not detract from the message of the importance of commitment and to normalize breast feeding. I am passionate about this issue and I intend to have a family of my own, and when the time comes I will breastfeed. I forever stand by this image. ??

A post shared by Lydia Hearst (@lydiahearst) on Jan 17, 2019 at 12:57pm PST

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Putting to rest any speculation that she and husband Chris Hardwick may have welcomed twins under the radar, Hearst wrote, “For the record, the infants here are dolls.”

“But that does not detract from the message of the importance of commitment and to normalize breast feeding,” the Z Nation star clarified.

“I am passionate about this issue and I intend to have a family of my own, and when the time comes I will breastfeed,” she concluded the post. “I forever stand by this image. ??”

Chris Hardwick and Lydia Hearst
Chris Hardwick and Lydia Hearst

RELATED VIDEO: Breastfeeding Mom Defends Her Right to Publicly Nurse at Disneyland: “Boobs Are Not Sexual!”

Standing up for her beliefs while speaking out about the emotional and sexual abuse allegations surrounding Hardwick, 47, Hearst previously told PEOPLE in an exclusive statement, “This is not a statement in defense, this is a statement of defense.”

“I have made the decision to come out in support of my husband not out of obligation, but out of necessity to speak the truth about the person I know,” she continued. “Chris is nothing but loving and compassionate and is the only person who has stood by me, never judged me, helped me heal, and feel whole. To defend my husband would be giving credence to any of these accusations.”

Hearst concluded, “I will not do that. Chris Hardwick is a good man. I remain in complete support of my husband, and I believe that the truth will always win. #TimesUp because I know my truth and I believe in due process.”