There's a growing social media trend that has breastfeeding mothers sharing their "brelfies" or breastfeeding selfies" on the internet. If you're one such mom who is still quite hesitant to join in the fray, then know that the United Nations actually think that you should go ahead and take photos of your breast while you're feeding the baby.
For the agency, seeing brelfies is a good way to encourage other mothers to persevere with breastfeeding. It's also going to help breakdown the stigma surrounding public breastfeeding, which shouldn't be an issue in the first place.
The U.N. -- along with the World Health Organization and UNICEF -- supports brelfies among moms and sees the act of sharing photos of breastfeeding on social media as a "golden opportunity" to spread the word on feeding naturally, as Fox reports. Many babies are still deprived of the benefits that come with breastfeeding, per UNICEF. Some mothers easily give up doing this, even when it's most crucial during the first few weeks of a newborn's life. But perhaps if they see photos of breastfeeding moms living up to the challenge, then they might be inspired to stick with breastfeeding as well.
Countless of studies have proven that breastmilk does wonders for the baby's immunity, which determines the infant's general health as she grows older. It is no wonder why health agencies are pushing this. "If all babies are fed nothing but breastmilk from the moment they are born until they are six months old, over 800,000 lives would be saved every year," the UNICEF report stated.
Sharing #brelfies is the new big thing, and we're so happy about it! Check how celebs #breastfeed their babies! pic.twitter.com/1IrfOzMzkP
— babyhome Official (@babyhome_social) July 14, 2016
Then there are mothers who breastfeed in public, but are sometimes shamed for doing what should have been a most natural and maternal act. However, if more mothers share their brelfies online, then this will become a common fixture in daily life. The brelfies could also highlight, rather than stigmatize, why natural feeding is important to baby's health and development.
The drive comes as World Breastfeeding Week is celebrated beginning Aug. 1. So go ahead, moms - take a snap of yourself as you breastfeed and share it online! Tell the world that breastfeeding is a most natural act for moms and their infants, and inspire other moms to keep at it as well.
