Singer and new mother Beyonce has once again made headlines because of her daughter, Blue Ivy. However, this time, she is not being criticized for what may or may not have happened in a Lenox Hill maternity ward. Beyonce has now joined the ranks of women who are proudly nursing their babies in public.
While dining with husband Jay Z at the Sant Ambroeus restaurant in New York last weekend, Beyonce was spotted breastfeeding her seven-week-old daughter.
Breastfeeding advocates are singing Beyonce’s praises for nursing her baby in public.
Although the American Academy of Pediatrics and the World Health Organization both recommend that mothers exclusively breastfeed their children for the first six months of life and continue to provide breast milk for two years or beyond, public breastfeeding remains a controversial topic in America.
Just last December, a mother who was breastfeeding in public in a Target was harassed by store employees. That a megastar like Beyonce feels confident enough to breastfeed her baby in public despite the potential controversy may be the boost that public breastfeeding needs to gain more widespread acceptance.
As Emma Kwasnica, a childbirth and breastfeeding educator, believes:
I think Beyonce has a huge impact on being able to re-normalize breastfeeding and give women confidence to do the same. Images of pop stars and celebrities giving their babies nourishment will never harm our cause.
What do you think about Beyonce breastfeeding daughter Blue Ivy in a public restaurant while out to dinner with her husband? Will stars who nurse openly help to normalize breastfeeding?
They now have certain pumps that make a man look like their nursing so is she really nursing or using a pump under the blanket to look like she's nursing to get people off her back about a surrogate.
Or she really could be nursing her daughter.
I think it is wonderful! She is helping to normalize breastfeeding in public!
Why is this news?????????????? Why is society going this route again??? Babies are born. Babies need to eat. Breastmilk is the natural food (and the best) for infants. GET OVER IT ALREADY!!! Beyonce, good for you. Your baby will thank you.
I guess I'm Old School, but breastfeeding your infant should be done in private. Women should be alble to schedule their feedings in between their social activities. If the infant really needed to have milk while mom is dining in a public place, then the mom should try to find a lounge area to feed her baby. In the old days most women breast fed their baby up to six weeks old. I think its gross when a three or four year old is still breastfeeding. Personally, I don't care if someone breast feeds their baby while I am in a restaurant, but if that baby starts puking, I am gone.
Right… because a 7 week old baby eats on a schedule. Shame on you.
What do all you non-breastfeeding fans think breasts are for? That is the ONLY purpose they are on a human body, a cow, a cat, or an elephamt. Breasts produce milk like sweat glands produce sweat. Yet I don't see anyone saying it is indecent to work in public? I am appalled. While I never wanted to whip it out with the world watching, I don't understand why people consider it indecent. That is what they are for!
She named her kid Blue Ivy? Will the brother be Red Rover?
America's #1 searched thing on the internet is porn, yet breast feeding is controversial and seen as gross.. geez.. I'd be more concerned about that name! Lol
Sorry, I beg to differ on the 'only purpose' statement. There is one more purpose that's pretty important. Although, I totally agree that some people need to get a grip with how they view nursing! It's perfectly natural.
They want to make sure they go down in history as having a uniquely named child, since they know they're (current celebreties') own limelight fades quickly!
really…what other purpose? I'm not being a smart-a, I'm just curious. Some other natural, biological purpose? Maybe I missed something in A&P.
I totally agree, Gina!
BJ, that's the exact male-driven chauvinism that rules this country and making breastfeeding an uncomfortable topic. SHAME on you.