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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To wonder; why do some celeb mums...

28 replies

Whatsername17 · 17/03/2017 08:48

This is a lighthearted post but in the interests of full disclosure: I'm on mat leave, breastfeeding dd2 and I'm a bit lonely and mumsnetting because I'm a bit bored. I had lactation failure with dd1 and formula fed. I believe fed is best and I'm not looking to start a bun fight of bf vs ff because it doesn't matter. I'm more curious about a trend than method of feeding.

Anyway, aibu to wonder why some celeb mums take a 'breastfeeding selfie' or release a picture of themselves feeding whilst they are clothed in designer garb and the baby is naked? Surely that is a recipe for disaster? Don't most babies crap and pee everywhere, especially whilst feeding? (Or is that just mine?!) I've nothing against naked babies BTW - I just don't get it?

OP posts:
toomuchtooold · 17/03/2017 08:53

I wondered the same thing before I had my kids, when I was at my hospital antenatal class, and they were explaining about the skin to skin policy - I was thinking "what is there to stop the babies pissing all over you?" Then after a slightly complicated twin delivery I met DD2 and she peed on my tummy. Turns out, there's nothing to stop them!

Original poster
Whatsername17 · 17/03/2017 08:55

I get bf naked and skin to skin, but the mums are clothed and looking perfect. Baby shit is a nightmare to get out of fabric, despite what the vanish advert claims!

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intheknickersoftime · 17/03/2017 08:59

If you want a laugh about this sort of Twitter showing off you should follow Celeste Barber. She does all kinds of funny pastiches of celeb Twitter photos. The ones involving her husband and kids are the funniest. But yanbu Grin congratulations on your baby, enjoy the poooey years!

silkpyjamasallday · 17/03/2017 09:12

Well they do it because it's promoting bf to mums who might otherwise not even consider it, celebrities seem to have a huge influence over what people buy/watch/go/do. I think for the most part it's for publicity "look at me I'm doing the best for my child" it gets media attention as so much of the public have strong views on women 'displaying' themselves while feeding. I think it's good overall that they are normalising/promoting it to such a wide audience, even if it is ultimately a self serving action. On the other hand, it's much easier to breastfeed if you have little obligation to go back to work and can really spend time establishing it and continue without the worry of stopping because you're going back to work etc. so might not affect people's choices as their lives are so different.

Islacornx · 17/03/2017 09:13

Generally they get pretty vile comments about how they shouldn't be doing it/it's not natural etc.. if you read through the comments so they're trying to make a point that breastfeeding is natural and should be normalised Smile

BellonaBelladonna · 17/03/2017 09:15

Because most celebs have enormous egos and will do anything for money and adoration.

Be glad you're not living like this and enjoy your baby.
Btw I also agree fed is best

pictish · 17/03/2017 09:24

I've never seen a picture like that.

ZilphasHatpin · 17/03/2017 09:28

It's not even just celeb mums! I've seen this on my FB feed from friends. At least put a nappy on the child! But hey, it's their sheets. I won't have to wash them Grin

Original poster
Whatsername17 · 17/03/2017 09:28

They could normalise feeding whilst baby has a nappy on though! I'm not a selfie person (of any kind) but I understand why women feel like they want a bit of recognition because it's so hard. The breastfeeding selfie seems a bit like a marathon runner posting a picture of their medal to me. I've been really fortunate as I've had nothing but positivity and kindness when feeding in public. I've never met anyone who thinks bf is disgusting which is lucky.

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Original poster
Whatsername17 · 17/03/2017 09:34

I obviously ready too many celeb magazines Pictish!

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pictish · 17/03/2017 09:38

Ah that'll be it then. I don't read them. I wondered how I could have missed this phenomenon.

eggcurry · 17/03/2017 09:44

'Fed is best' - 100% agree!!!

MrsBobDylan · 17/03/2017 09:48

Isn't it just an arty promo pic though? Am sure they pop a nappy back on pretty sharpish once the camera isn't on them.

It's all just a bit of self-obsessed celeb fakery!

icanteven · 17/03/2017 09:57

Isn't it just an arty promo pic though? Am sure they pop a nappy back on pretty sharpish once the camera isn't on them.

Yes, but it's still overall a positive thing. I'm probably going to get jumped all over here, but the Mums who are most likely to be actively influenced by what a celeb does are possibly also the Mums most likely to hesitate about breastfeeding - teen Mums, for instance. If your absolute favourite soap star is still sexy and gorgeous and openly breastfeeding, it might nudge you towards giving it a shot. It's self-serving for the celeb maybe, but only in a positive way.

There's a lot of pressure on celebs to snap back into their pre-baby body/life/career unless they have been earning enough to stash away enough to take some time out (bearing in mind that many celebs are essentially freelancers with no maternity leave) so establishing breastfeeding is often doubly hard. People I come across in my line of work are back on tv within weeks of giving birth, and if you are a presenter for a morning show, you're up at 4am or worse. I was up at 4am too within weeks of giving birth, but also at 11pm, 1am, 3am, 3.30am, 4am, and then I might get an hour or so before the next feed.

DevelopingDetritus · 17/03/2017 10:02

I suppose it's supposed to be artistic. Bound to get very messing though. Envy vom.

Original poster
Whatsername17 · 17/03/2017 10:03

I don't mind the promotion aspect at all. Fair play to them. It's just the naked baby on a mum in designer clothes. That's the bit that confused me! Maybe my dd just poos far more than other babies. She poops with every feed- at least 10 times a day. 2-4 of which are big poops!

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StrangeLookingParasite · 17/03/2017 10:22

you should follow Celeste Barber.

She is really funny.

jay55 · 17/03/2017 10:54

If you get given clothes for free and can't be seen in them twice I suppose it doesn't matter if they get covered in shit.

ScrambledSmegs · 17/03/2017 11:01

I have a wonderful photo somewhere, of DH doing skin to skin with 1 week old DD1. She looks so peaceful. We realised just befor I took it that she was content because she'd just done a poo down his stomach.

I still took the photo Smile

Sod how you feed, nappy on is best.

Original poster
Whatsername17 · 17/03/2017 11:23

Grin scrambled!

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Imstickingwiththisone · 17/03/2017 11:34

Yeh I think it's just for the asthetics. there's nothing cuter than a baby's bum. When you're a celeb you have to up your game on selfies otherwise no one will notice them.

Trainspotting1984 · 17/03/2017 11:40

Because naked babies are cute and they're proud of their breastfeeding. Why shouldn't they be?

Original poster
Whatsername17 · 17/03/2017 12:16

See my above posts - I am categorically not suggesting that they shouldn't be proud of breastfeeding. I am a breastfeeding mum. I'm proud of it because it has been so hard. Just wondering why the aesthetic is that the baby should be naked when they poop so much whilst feeding.

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QuackDuckQuack · 17/03/2017 12:29

I think that this may be what you are looking for. Warning - don't open if you really hate baby bodily fluids.

Schwifty · 17/03/2017 12:36

Haha QuackDuckQuack you beat me to it!