Candice Swanepoel slams double standards over breastfeed shaming – but not her topless shoots

Swanepoel said she has felt a pressure to “cover up” while feeding her son in public
Speaking out: Candice Swanepoel was praised for addressing the stigma
Jewel Samad/AFP/Getty
Emma Powell19 December 2016
The Weekender

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Candice Swanepoel has slammed the double standards that have seen her shamed for breastfeeding – but not for her topless modelling shoots.

Swanepoel – who gave birth to her son Anacã with her fiance Hermann Nicoli in October – said those who find offence in a woman breast feeding in public need to be “educated”.

The Victoria's Secret model said despite the act being “natural” not “sexual” she has felt a pressure to “cover up” while feeding her son in public.

Swanepoel hit back at critics on Instagram where she posted a black and white picture of herself breastfeeding.

She captioned the shot: “Many women today are shamed for breastfeeding in public, or even kicked out of public places for feeding their children. I have been made to feel the need to cover up and somewhat shy to feed my baby in public places but strangely feel nothing for the topless editorials I've done in the name of art..?

“The world has been desensitized to the sexualisation of the breast and to violence on TV...why should it be different when it comes to breastfeeding?

“Breastfeeding is not sexual it's natural – Those who feel it is wrong to feed your child in public need to get educated on the benefits breastfeeding has on mother and child and intern on society as a whole.”

Swanepoel was praised online for speaking out on the stigma with one user posting: "Thank you so much for speaking out on this. people need to stop sexualizing everything. it's a child's source of food."

Another commented: "Preach... I'm not a mom but this is hands down praiseworthy."

Victoria's Secret 2016 Fashion Show - In pictures

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