Ferne McCann has hit back at claims she is an ‘attention-seeker’ after using her social media platform to be vocal about her breast feeding journey.
The mother-of-two is choosing to still breastfeed her second daughter Finty who turned two years-old in July.
Speaking in a candid piece with Grazia, Ferne empathised with those women who feel pressure or shame surrounding breastfeeding as she opened up about the stigma attached to it.
She explained: ‘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.
‘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.’
Ferne breastfed her daughter Sunday for just six months due to work commitments, but she explained that with her second daughter she has been able to be at home and continue breast feeding for longer.
Ferne McCann has hit back at claims she’s an ‘attention-seeker’ as she revealed why she’s still breastfeeding her daughter Finty at two in a recent interview
Ferne empathised with those women who feel pressure or shame surrounding breastfeeding as she opened up about the stigma attached to it
She added: ‘With 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.’
According to NHS guidelines ‘exclusive breastfeeding (breast milk only) is recommended for around the first 6 months of your baby’s life. Breastfeeding alongside solid foods is best for babies from 6 months.
‘You and your baby can carry on enjoying the benefits of breastfeeding for as long as you like.’
Ferne also explained how at first Finty was unable to breastfeed and couldn’t latch on.
Her birth had been so fast that her jaw had locked during the delivery and she ended up needing to have cranial therapy to release her jaw.
After that she was then able to feed and Ferne has no plans to stop any time soon.
Ferne has previously defended her breastfeeding choices and divided opinions during an appearance on This Morning in August.
The star insisted that critics are ‘oversexualising’ her, while others potentially may ‘feel triggered’ by her because they have been unsuccessful during their own journey.
Ferne breastfed her daughter Sunday for just six months due to work commitments, but she explained that with Finty she has been at home and has continued breast feeding for longer
The former TOWIE star welcomed Finty with her fiancé Lorri Haines in July 2023. She also has a daughter Sunday, seven, with her ex-boyfriend Arthur Collins
Ferne opened up to Andi Peters and Emma Willis about the mum-shaming and negative comments she has received about her choice to do so with her youngster.
She said: ‘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.
‘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.’
Emma asked: ‘What kind of negative comments were you getting?’
Ferne revealed: ‘The most common one is “Here she is, getting them out again!” and it’s like “Alright, okay, we all know that you breast feed”.
‘They are not my intentions….
‘Society – 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, every post… this isn’t to shame or make anyone feel like it failed.’
