VOGUE WILLIAMS DOCUMENTED her pregnancy on Instagram, welcomed a camera crew into the home she shares with husband Spencer Matthews and allowed much of her labour to be recorded by a documentary team.
As such, you could be forgiven for thinking that she has taken all aspects of motherhood in her stride, as she adjusts to life with baby Theodore, who was born in September of last year.
Naturally, however, this would be a woeful misrepresentation of the challenges faced by new mothers.
Indeed, in an Instagram post which Vogue uploaded last night reminded her followers that there were times when she struggled with certain aspects of parenting.
Sharing a photo of herself nursing her infant son, the 33-year-old wrote: “My first time breastfeeding in public.”
I remember feeling so embarrassed, sweating profusely and desperately trying to hide my newly enormous nipples.
“I was soon calmed down by my pal and the feed went well, I would feed without a thought anywhere now!” she continued.
By way of seeking advice on baby formula from her followers, Vogue then disclosed that she had made the decision to stop nursing at the six-month mark.
I’ve dropped my daytime breast feeds and am now only doing the night and morning. I always wanted to get to about six months but I never thought I would feel this sad about stopping. Our first baby almost done with breast milk!
And then came the ‘well-meaning’ advice.
“Keep feeding until he is 2 years,” wrote one. “Best protection you can give him!”
“No reason to stop BF at 6 months unless you no longer produce milk,” wrote another.
“Can I ask why you are stopping now and switching to formula? You can keep breastfeeding for sure.”
Why stop? Research says that a year is optimal for their health. IF you can continue, then why stop? Enjoy it. I loved every minute. I wish I could have continued past 15 months when he naturally weaned himself.
“If your (sic) happy breast feeding – don’t stop – breast is best,” added another.
Many of Vogue’s followers, who number in excess of 530,000, were clearly put out by the thread of judgement weaving its way through the comment section.
As such, many sought to counter this narrative by expressing their support and offering some words of advice after drawing on their own personal experiences.
Breast-feeding bullies really tick me off!! You’ve done so well breast-feeding up till now if you want to go on to formula then good for you.
“What’s with all this breastfeeding shame? You do what’s best for you and your baby no one’s experience is the same,” reasoned another commentator.
As the post gained more traction online, one social media user encouraged the Dubliner to turn off the comments, so as to protect women who may be vulnerable to criticism.
“I personally think you should stop comments on this post,” they wrote.
It’s embarrassing that grown women who are raising children feel it’s OK to voice such dangerous opinions without thinking about the vulnerability of people reading this horrid debate.
“I am shocked and disappointed reading the majority of this, we should be supporting each other not ripping each other apart,” they finished.
But what about you? Would you feel justified questioning a woman’s decision on the matter?
