Ferne McCann has pushed back against critics who claim she is ‘attention-seeking’ for speaking about breastfeeding.
The former The Only Way Is Essex star, 35, shares daughter Sunday, 8, with ex-Arthur Collins and Finty, 2, with her fiancé Lorri Haines.
She has chosen to continue breastfeeding her second daughter, who is now a toddler.
Writing about her experience in a piece for Grazia, Ferne discussed the stigma associated with breastfeeding and how women faced pressure and shame.
‘For me, I’ve had people accuse me of being an attention-seeker saying I go on about it too much. At one point I felt like every time I posted about it I had to add a disclaimer so no one would feel judged,’ she explained.
‘But the truth is, breastfeeding mums do experience shame. There’s a lack of support and education and so much stigma attached to it.
‘That’s why I continue to post proudly about it… not for attention, but to show support for other mums and maybe inspire those who are expecting.’
When it came to her first daughter, Ferne was only able to breastfeed her for six months due to work commitments.
But with her second, she has been able to spend more time at home and thus continue breastfeeding for longer.
‘Over the years my confidence with breastfeeding has grown massively. These days, I don’t even think about it apart from the odd moment when people question why I’m still feeding Finty, who’s now a toddler. There’s definitely a societal pressure around feeding older children, but for us it’s just normal,’ she wrote.
‘Finty, I’ve had the luxury of being more at home and I’ve really loved it. People always ask when I’ll stop and honestly, I don’t know. I’m just going with it and I’m okay with that,’ she continued.
However, she did face issues with Finty at first after she was unable to latch on.
During her delivery, Finty had been born so fast that her jaw had locked and she later required cranial therapy to release it. Following that, she was then able to feed.
According to the NHS, breastfeeding is recommended for around the first six months after a baby is born, after which solid foods should be introduced.
The World Health Organization recommending continuing breastfeeding for up to two years.
A few months ago, Ferne spoke about her decision to continuing breastfeeding during an appearance on This Morning, during which she also claimed critics were ‘oversexualising’ her.
‘Every time posted, even when she was younger, it really did split hairs. It was challenging for me because I felt like I had to justify,’ she told hosts Andi Peters and Emma Willis.
‘I didn’t want to offend anyone. I think that’s the thing with me, that yes I’m pro breast feeding, but that doesn’t mean I’m anti formula.
‘What is so wonderful is that women have choice. Not all new mothers can breast feed for various reasons… for me, the reason why I am passionate about it and want to have conversations like this is to continue support for that breast feeding community.’
She then said a ‘common’ comment she received was: ‘Here she is, getting them out again!’
The reality star, who also appeared on I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!, added: ‘I think the reason why people, some, people have such a problem with it is because women’s breasts are oversexualised and I think for other people, found it very triggering, felt they had failed.
‘Showing my successful breastfeeding journey wasn’t to shame everyone or make anyone feel like it failed.’
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