FERNE McCann has been cruelly mum-shamed after sharing a snap of herself breastfeeding daughter Finty.
The reality star, 34, shared a series of pictures from a recent holiday in Greece – including one of her cradling her two year old while she fed.
Ferne McCann shared a snap as she breastfed her daughter on holiday[/caption]
The star is also mum to daughter Sunday, seven[/caption]
While most people were full of praise for the stunning pictures, lauding her for normalising such a natural thing – others weren’t quite so happy.
One troll commented: “And here’s the unnecessary breast feeding pic again!”
A second warned her: “Not sure the kid will appreciate that breast feeding photo being oit there when older! Keep it private!!”
And a third wrote: “Most women just get on with it, but she must photograph it for Instagram….. priorities I guess.”
Ferne had her daughter Finty with fiancé Lorri Haines in July 2023. She is also mum Sunday, seven, from a previous relationship.
During the trip, Ferne opened up about her breastfeeding journey and admitted she struggles to say no.
She told fans: “Finty breastfed on demand whilst we were away.
“I guess for an easier life I just gave it to her. There’s so many perks of continuing with breastfeeding past 1 especially whilst we were traveling.
“But now that means she really wants it all the time & I struggle to say no. I haven’t tried to stop BF yet.
“I think it will be really difficult when we eventually do end our BF journey.”
But this isn’t the first time Ferne has been shamed for breastfeeding Finty.
Earlier this year, the reality TV star explained: “Haven’t posted about my breastfeeding journey in a while, but I still get a lot of people asking if I’m still doing it.
“In complete honesty, I’ve been a bit nervous to share about it lately. Even though I’m such a big advocate for breastfeeding, the truth is, I’ve been afraid of what people might think or say now that Finty is 20 months old.
“I’m sharing this because if you’re like me and still feeding, and you’re feeling pressure to stop or wondering if it’s ‘not the norm’ to breastfeed past one, I just want you to know…there are plenty of mums still doing it. Keep going, mamma.
“However it looks, do your normal.”
Ferne shared a series of snaps from her holiday in the sun[/caption]
It’s not the first time Ferne has been mum shamed for breastfeeding[/caption]
What are the recommendations around breastfeeding?
The NHS recommends breastfeeding your baby exclusively (feeding them breast milk only) for the first six months, but it’s completely up to you to decide when you want to bring it to an end – and there’s really no right or wrong way to do it.
The NHS says weaning often happens gradually as your baby begins to eat more solid foods.
They note that solid food shouldn’t replace breast milk, as there is evidence to suggest breast milk helps a baby’s digestive system when processing solid food for the first time.
“Once they are eating solids, your baby will still need to have breast milk or formula as their main drink up to at least their first birthday,” recommends the NHS.
“Cows’ milk isn’t suitable as a main drink for babies under one, although it can be added to foods, such as mashed potatoes.”
You can also combine breastfeeding with formula, too and the NHS says “phasing out” of breastfeeding is often the easiest way.
For example, dropping one feed in the day or at night time.
After around a week, you can begin to think about dropping another.
“If your baby is younger than one year, you’ll need to replace the dropped breastfeed with a formula feed from a bottle or (if they are over six months) a cup or beaker, instead,” they say.
You can breastfeed for as long as you want, and while the NHS recommends breastfeeding your baby exclusively for the first six months, you shouldn’t feel like you cannot continue for longer.
The World Health Organization says: “Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended up to 6 months of age, with continued breastfeeding along with appropriate complementary foods up to two years of age or beyond.”
