The breastfeeding stigma needs to end already.
Phot via Gap/Instagram
THE GOOD NEWS:
Gap’s new ad is helping fight the stigma against breastfeeding.
Breastfeeding is one of thing a woman can do to raise a healthy baby. Breast milk contains powerful antibodies that help babies fight off viruses and bacteria. It also has the perfect mix of fat, proteins, and vitamins for baby to grow.
Even though the public has become better educated about the benefits of breastfeeding, there’s still a social stigma attached to doing it in public. It’s 2018, and far too many people can’t stand the sight of an exposed breast in public. For some women, performing this most basic expression of love can feel like an act of social defiance.
An ad by Gap for its new luxe line, Love by Gap, is earning praise from mothers for helping to “normalize” breastfeeding. The ad features model Adaora Akubilo wearing a Gap sleep shirt breastfeeding her 20-month-old son, Arinze.
\nGap gets praise from moms for breastfeeding Instagram post https://t.co/pmjju7jM5i pic.twitter.com/AJOZtnS25v
— Forbes Showbiz (@ForbesShowbiz) February 26, 2018\n
The breastfeeding photo came out of a happy accident during the shoot. Akubilo asked for a break because her child was hungry. When she began feeding, the photographer asked if he could take some shots, and she obliged. The tender photo ended up being the one used in the ad.
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Akubilo has no problem feeding her son on the set. “I’m so comfortable just nursing my son anywhere,” she told The Chicago Tribune. “If my son needs to nurse, I’m going to nurse him.” Akubilo hopes the image will help other mothers feel more comfortable about breastfeeding. “I don’t want women to feel shamed,” she said. “It’s so important to encourage mothers.”
The ad is getting a lot of love on social media:
\n@Gap damn boo, you have the most comfy pj’s AND you’re normalizing breastfeeding?!
— sara C.L (@sarasarafofara) February 26, 2018\n
\nI also have to mention, the fact that the little one featured is at the toddler stage removes the taboo of only breastfeeding newborns, and empowers those going the extended #breastfeeding route, gets extra Thank you @Gap! #normalizebreastfeeding
— VidaWithChristie (@VidaWithC) March 1, 2018\n
\n.@Gap got it right with the @gapbodytweets ad. A simple photo of blk mom #breastfeeding past 1 made me cry. Then it made me want the shirt.
— Tai N. (@NichofTAIme) March 1, 2018\n
\n@loosewomen Breastfeeding is the most natural thing in the world yet still one of the most covered up. The more it is normalised in the media so women can do it in public without being scorned at the better. Good on GAP.
— Richard Catmur (@RichardCatmur) March 1, 2018\n
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