Despite all the progress women have made over the years, many still take issue with the sight of a woman breastfeeding her child. Even though it's a completely natural function — and quite literally why breasts exist — women are often shamed for feeding in public, even more so if they don't take measures to conceal themselves. But over the years, photos of celebrities breastfeeding their babies have further helped the destigmatization. Here are some celebrity moms who joined the empowering breastfeeding movement, proving that nursing can — and should — be considered beautiful.
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Rachel McAdams
Last year, the 41-year-old Notebook actress graced feminist publication Girls. Girls. Girls. Magazine decked out in Versace — and her breast pump. Editor-in-chief Claire Rothstein shared on Instagram that McAdams was just six months postpartum at the time of the shoot. “Between shots she was expressing/pumping as [she was] still breastfeeding,” Rothstein wrote. “We had a mutual appreciation disagreement about whose idea it was to take this picture but I’m still sure it was hers which makes me love her even more. Breastfeeding is the most normal thing in the world and I can’t for the life of me imagine why or how it is ever frowned upon or scared of.”
While the photo certainly sparked controversy, it was largely applauded by fellow working mothers. Hilary Duff even recreated McAdams' breastfeeding photo in a hilarious Instagram post.
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Shay Mitchell
A month after announcing the birth of her daughter, Atlas, Shay Mitchell shared a stunning snap breastfeeding of her new baby. Aside from looking amazing, she gloriously clapped back at a troll who said Mitchell was connecting with the camera rather than her baby. “I missed the part in the baby books that stated I had to maintain eye contact with my daughter while she feeds rather than capturing an amazing moment we were having,” the 32-year-old wrote. “Pls let me know where I can download your parenting manual, I'll get right on it!”
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Olivia Wilde
In 2014, Olivia Wilde appeared in Glamour with her son, Otis, in an effort to normalize breastfeeding. “Being shot with Otis is so perfect because any portrait of me right now isn’t complete without my identity as a mother being a part of that,” Wilde said. “Breastfeeding is the most natural thing. I don’t know, now it feels like Otis should always be on my breast.”
Chrissy Teigen
It really shouldn't come as a big surprise that Teigen is on this list. Since becoming a mother, the supermodel and TV host has kept it real about the trials and tribulations of motherhood, breastfeeding included. The hilarious mom of two nursed her first child, Luna, in Fergie's “M.I.L.F.$.” music video, which premiered in July 2016.
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Heidi Montag
The former Hills star celebrated the bond she's created with her son through breastfeeding in a 2018 photoshoot for her upcoming book. “I love, support, and appreciate women more than I ever have before,” she wrote along with a photo of her breastfeeding her son, Gunner. “The strength and heart it takes every day. It has been more rewarding than I could have dreamed. God truly had made women to be extraordinary.”
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Tess Holliday
The model and body positive activist shared this glamorous shot, captured backstage at a photoshoot while she was simultaneously getting her hair and makeup done while breastfeeding her daughter. “[The photo] reminded me of @gisele's iconic photo breastfeeding on set. Working moms come in all shapes, sizes, colors & creeds!” she wrote. “A mom's work is never done,” one fan responded.
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Cardi B
2018 was a big year for Cardi B's career, but she also welcomed her daughter, Kulture, with husband Offset. In her music video for her track “Money,” the rapper made a statement by breastfeeding her daughter while donning high-fashion clothing. “Tbh the fact that @iamcardib shows that she can breastfeed and be a bad ass really just set the tone to normalize breastfeeding,” one fan wrote on Twitter.
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Gisele Bundchen
Gisele Bundchen proved that you can in fact be a working mom — and look good doing it. Back in 2013, the model shared a photo of herself getting pampered in the hair and makeup chair while breastfeeding her (at the time) one-year-old daughter. Of course, most working moms' lives don't look like Gisele's, but the sentiment behind the photo is still an important one.
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