It’s a tale as old as (human) time—a baby is hungry, so the mother nourishes him/her through breastfeeding. This activity, while natural, is often considered taboo because many people are uncomfortable with it being done in public. But, a lot of women, including Naomi Jael Covert, feel that it should be done anywhere and everywhere. The 21-year-old from Vilseck, Germany is mom to a 10-month-old boy named TJ. Recently, she attended a wedding and breastfed her son during the reception while having her picture snapped.
After the photo was taken, Covert posted it to Instagram. For her, it was normal because she regularly shares breastfeeding images on her account. The picture went viral, however, after being shared on the @empoweredbirthproject Instagram, garnering attention around the world and continuing the conversation on breastfeeding. “I wanted to show that it’s literally no big deal to breastfeed,” Covert told Buzzfeed, “no matter the circumstances.” In the picture, she’s making a silly face that reiterates how unremarkably normal it all is. “It’s just a breast; that’s what God gave me to use when baby is hungry.”
Through these everyday breastfeeding photos, it helps to erase the stigma that surrounds the ancient practice—one that often embarrasses a mother. With this small action, Covert hopes to empower women to live motherhood on their own terms.
