Did you know that breastfeeding rates are on the rise in the US?
According to the CDC, from 2001 to 2004, the number of women who nursed their newborns jumped from 71 to 74%. And celebrity moms are no exception!
Here are six stars who opened up about their decision to forgo the bottle:
Nicole Richie
Nicole Richie talked about breastfeeding her first daughter Harlow, telling PEOPLE, “There’s so much I can’t eat because she’s so sensitive…I eat really bland [food] – chicken noodle soup, vegetables, fish. I had to cut out milk, no tomatoes, no lettuce. You think you have to cut everything out when you’re pregnant, but you really have to cut everything out when you’re breastfeeding.”
Tori Spelling
Actress Tori Spelling opened up to Jimmy Kimmel during an appearance on his show saying, “It’s been a little difficult, ‘cause I didn’t know, but sometimes you don’t produce. You’d think these things [points to breasts] would produce an abundance of milk!”
The actress also admitted on Good Morning America that she regrets getting her breasts augmented. “Well, I got my boobs done…in my early 20s. If I had known that it would or could possibly impact production or [breast] milk, I wouldn’t have had them.”
Julie Bowen
Modern Family’s Julie Bowen has three kids, including a pair of twin boys. The actress admitted that with her busy work schedule, it can be tricky to find time to nurse.
“The act of breastfeeding twins takes time – and patience!” Julie told PEOPLE. The actress even stirred up some controversy by showing a picture of her doing the “double football hold” with her sons on the Lopez Tonight Show.
Kelly Ripa
Kelly Ripa, another mom of three, told her co-host Regis Philbin, “It is very time consuming; it really is a labor of love. It depends on the child too because Lola and Michael were great eaters, but Joaquin really took his time and was like, ‘Mom, I think we should see other people.’ And he still, like to this day, is a fussy eater.”
Courteney Cox
Known for her roles on Friends, Scream and more recently Cougar Town, actress Courteney Cox chatted with the Daily Record about nursing Coco, her daughter with David Arquette.
“Breastfeeding is undoubtedly the best thing you can do for your baby,” she said. “It took a lot of persevering through the weeks because my daughter didn’t latch on properly and it really hurt, but I’m happy I stayed with it because not only do I have a special bond with my child, but it’s easy now and is also extremely healthy.”
Bethenny Frankel
And last but not least, reality star Bethenny Frankel put in her two cents on her personal blog, bethenny.
She wrote, “I breastfed Bryn and would only choose that option for my baby. For me, it was the most bonding and healthy choice and having that beautiful experience brought me closer to my child. It was a very difficult challenge for me, but I stuck with it and was better for it.”
What do you think about breastfeeding? Share your own experience or thoughts in the comment section!
