Ferne McCann’s Stand Against Breastfeeding Stigma
Ferne McCann, a former star of The Only Way Is Essex, has spoken out against the criticism she faces for openly discussing breastfeeding. At 35, she is the mother of two daughters—Sunday, 8, with her ex-partner Arthur Collins, and Finty, 2, with her fiancé Lorri Haines. Ferne has chosen to continue breastfeeding her second daughter, who is now a toddler.
In a piece for Grazia, Ferne shared her experiences and the stigma surrounding breastfeeding. She explained that some people have accused her of being attention-seeking for talking about it so 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,” she said.
However, Ferne emphasized that many mothers do experience shame due to a lack of support and education. “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.”
A Journey of Growth and Confidence
When it came to her first daughter, Ferne was only able to breastfeed for six months due to work commitments. But with her second child, she has been able to spend more time at home, allowing her to continue breastfeeding for longer.
“Over the years, my confidence with breastfeeding has grown massively. These days, I don’t even think about it apart from the odd moment when people question why I’m still feeding Finty, who’s now a toddler. There’s definitely a societal pressure around feeding older children, but for us, it’s just normal,” she wrote.
Ferne also mentioned that Finty had some initial challenges with latching on. During her delivery, Finty was born so quickly that her jaw locked, requiring cranial therapy to release it. After that, she was able to feed successfully.
Supporting Mothers Through Shared Experiences
According to the NHS, breastfeeding is recommended for around the first six months after a baby is born, after which solid foods should be introduced. The World Health Organization recommends continuing breastfeeding for up to two years.
Recently, Ferne spoke about her decision to continue breastfeeding during an appearance on This Morning. She also addressed the issue of critics oversexualising her.
“Every time I posted, even when she was younger, it really did split hairs. It was challenging for me because I felt like I had to justify,” she told hosts Andi Peters and Emma Willis.
Ferne clarified that she is not anti-formula. “What is so wonderful is that women have choice. Not all new mothers can breastfeed 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 breastfeeding community.”
Addressing Public Perception
A common comment Ferne received was: “Here she is, getting them out again!” She explained that she believes some people have issues with breastfeeding because women’s breasts are oversexualised. “For other people, it felt they had failed,” she added.
Ferne stressed that showing her successful breastfeeding journey was not meant to shame anyone or make others feel like they had failed. “It was just about supporting other mums and sharing my experience,” she said.
Encouraging Open Conversations
Ferne’s openness about breastfeeding has sparked important conversations. She encourages other mothers to share their experiences and support each other. “I think the key is to keep the dialogue going and help reduce the stigma around breastfeeding,” she said.
Her journey highlights the importance of understanding and respecting different choices in parenting. Whether a mother chooses to breastfeed, use formula, or a combination of both, the goal is to provide the best care for their child.
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