Sadly, moms being shamed for breastfeeding in public is nothing new, but I've never heard of a breastfeeding mom being accused of trying to steal another woman's boyfriend. What? Really?
As someone who has breastfed a baby, I can tell you that seduction is the absolute last thing on our minds when we're trying to feed our child.
Unfortunately, this did happen to one mom who spoke out in the hopes of preventing another mom from going through this.
Originally born in Helsinki, Finland, Reka came to New York to study photography and has primarily worked from the city since then.
In Finnish, Ilo's name means "happiness". Isn't that so sweet?
She said in an interview that since breastfeeding is so natural to her as a mom, she didn't hesitate to share the images with her followers.
She's staged elaborate photoshoots for herself and models that focus on the topic of breastfeeding. These images truly highlight the beautiful bond between a mother and child.
She's been open about her decision to breastfeed her daughter into her toddler years and has opened up about how strangers have tried to shame her for her choice.
A woman sitting in front of Reka openly shamed her while she nursed her daughter during the plane's landing.
"She called me ‘disgusting’ followed by a litany of degrading swear words. Apparently she thought I was trying to steal her man by quietly breastfeeding my baby during the landing of the plane," Reka said.
She hopes that by people hearing her story, we can finally learn to normalize breastfeeding once and for all.
It's so important for breastfeeding moms to share the good and bad parts of their journeys with each other. This is how we build a community of strong breastfeeding moms!
She said, "Now that my daughter is 34-months-old, I get judged and criticized a lot. Friends and family roll their eyes, give disapproving stares, and tell me that I should quit."
"...but I found so much evidence that extending breastfeeding past one-year is extremely beneficial for both the mum and child."
“Talking with accomplished, experienced paediatricians sealed the deal. I was not pushing it."
"But it’s harder because you have to deal with a toddler who does acrobatics while they have a nipple in their mouth. It’s also harder because people judge you, and you have to constantly explain yourself."
"Breastfeeding and extended breastfeeding should be normalised. I feel sad when I read about a lot of mothers who breastfeed past a year but hide it because they feel ashamed or judged."
"But some of the benefits of extended breastfeeding include: boosting the child's immune system, helping brain and intellectual development, and making children more socially adaptable and independent.”
Reka is standing up for what she believes in, and we are here for it!
