Victoria’s Secret model Candice Swanepoel combats breastfeeding shame with candid photo

Nisean Lorde
·2 min read
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Victoria’s Secret model Candice Swanepoel has no problem baring her body for editorials — and yet admits she’s been made to feel she has to “cover up” when breastfeeding her baby in public.

Swanepoel, who gave birth to her son Anaca in October, recently opened up about the shame associated with public breastfeeding in a now-viral Instagram post, which received nearly half a million likes and thousands of comments in less than 24 hours.

Many women today are shamed for breastfeeding in public, or even kicked out of public places for feeding their children. 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..? The world has been desensitized to the sexualization of the breast and to violence on tv…why should it be different when it comes to breastfeeding? -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 intern on society as a whole. ???????????? ???????? #mothernature

A photo posted by Candice Swanepoel (@angelcandices) on Dec 18, 2016 at 4:02pm PST

“Many women today are shamed for breastfeeding in public, or even kicked out of public places for feeding their children,” the supermodel captioned, next to a candid black and white image of her breastfeeding Anaca. “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..?”

“The world has been desensitized to the sexualization of the breast and to violence on tv…why should it be different when it comes to breastfeeding? -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 intern on society as a whole.”

She ends the candid post with the hashtag #mothernature.

The model has since received support from all over the globe:

“The fact that a Victoria’s Secret model has posted this is sooooo powerful,” odettenclaridge wrote. “Thanks for speaking out and supporting all of us mothers who aren’t public figures but also believe in breastfeeding our babies. You’re showing the world that breasts are beautiful in all their forms and uses!!”

“Now you have gain(ed) one more follower,” wesindcreativos stated. “Breastfeeding is not a trendy or hippie thing, it’s the smart option for mothers and babies…”

“Yess!!! ”hlove987 wrote. “I used to sit in the back of my car and breastfeed because I hated the awkwardness I felt out in public… and I was using a cover!”

Let us know what you think by tweeting @YahooStyleCA!