Pole dancing has never been associated with breastfeeding mothers. Ashley Wright, however, has taken a bold step to combine her two loves - being a mother and pole dancing. This apparently is Wright's contribution to encouraging breastfeeding mothers that nourishing their children need not always mean putting normal activities on hold.
The Huffington Post reports that breastfeeding mother Wright, who is now eight years into pole dancing, waited until her four-year old daughter Shannon turned one before she started trying out some of the easier moves. Little Shannon had eventually gotten used to her mother's routine that she actually enjoyed being carried by Wright while doing pole practice.
"I didn't start climbing up the pole with her (in a carrier), until she was one or a little closer to two years of age," Wright related. "There are moments in which she would rather spin around with me, than to sit on the floor and do something else. And I, as her mother, am completely okay with having to adjust my pole practice to have her on me."
The practice of babywearing or attaching the child to a parent through a sling or a carrier gave Wright the freedom and flexibility to move as she needed. Wright explains, however, that combining pole dancing with breastfeeding was not something she planned to do.
Understanding, however, that Shannon's need to breastfeed is not just for nourishment and immunity but also for connection, which in turn gives comfort, enabled her to combine the two. Ultimately, she finds that being able to fulfil her need as an active person while nurturing Shannon to be a true reward.
A photo posted by Ashley Wright / Red Swan (@mswrightsway) on Jan 18, 2016 at 11:21am PST
Wright's social media posts of photos and videos while pole dancing and breastfeeding met with mixed reactions. Understandably, many find cause for concern that such an intense physical activity is not something associated with a breastfeeding mother who is on breastfeeding duty.
Facebook comments on her recent video while pole dancing and breastfeeding was quote positive. "Attachment parenting, at its finest! Excellent workout and bonding experience," one comment said.
Another person found personal encouragement from Wright. "Just as I start thinking today that there is so much I cannot do anymore because I'm a Mum... thank you! I needed this so much," the post read.
One negative post stressed the safety issue. "Even extremely talented athletes slip and fall every now and then. Was the risk to your child really worth the Facebook likes," the commenter asked.
Wright's Instagram post caption summarised how she dealt with motherhood, womanhood, people's mixed reception of her stand. She also cautioned people from spontaneously trying out what she does. "I can't imagine still continuing to live life limited by everyone else's comfort levels and shadowed thoughts; hell even by my past fears and barriers," Wright wrote.
"Yet to walk freely inside myself is to journey courageously amongst others.
"Life didn't stop for me because I had a child... It got better. I have the best doubles partner in the world!"
