New mum hangs brilliant “No Breastfeeding Zone” sign above her hospital bed
US mum Meghan Koziel has recently welcomed a daughter – baby Kendra – and a new mama shot she’s shared on Instagram is attracting plenty of attention.
“No Breastfeeding Zone”
The image features a newly postpartum Meghan in her hospital bed in the labour ward. Above her head? A homemade sign emblazoned with the words “No Breastfeeding Zone”.
So what’s brought this graphic ‘no boobs please’ declaration on, you might be wondering? Well, Meghan’s feeding her gorgeous baby formula from day dot, because breastfeeding is simply not a possibility.
This lovely new mum was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015, necessitating a series of gruelling treatments – including a double mastectomy.
Brilliantly, she’s gone on to survive and thrive, welcoming baby Kendra last month. In the hours following the birth, she was keen to ward off well-intentioned attempts to get her daughter on the boob, popping a sign above her bed to stop any breastfeeding chatter in its tracks.
“NO BREASTFEEDING ZONE,” the sign reads. “Though breastfeeding is a very special task, please be aware before you ask. Our miracle baby will be formula fed, and it will not affect her future ahead. This mommy is a survivor.”
Read more about bottle feeding:
- How and when to introduce a breastfed baby to the occasional bottle
- Chrissy Teigen “unapologetically” feeds her bub formula AND breastmilk
- Milk wars: ‘It’s time join forces instead of fighting about feeding babies’
“I do not have boobs (or nipples)”
Meghan shared her story on Instagram in celebration of her daughter – and to raise awareness of the issues that new mums who have been treated for breast cancer may face.
“Attention please, attention please,” her Instagram posts reads. “We do indeed have a mommy-to-be who had breast cancer and a mastectomy which means, without boobs in the houseeeee!”
“Got the banner raised just in case people are confused at why we are NOT going to be breastfeeding our little bundle of joy. Yes I have foobs, no I do not have boobs (or nipples) therefore … my body is incapable of breastfeeding:) – sign was made by me!!!!!)”
#Brilliant
Just use donor milk? No.
Because it’s the internet, some people promptly delivered unsolicited advice, asserting Meghan could have used donor milk for her child. She politely debunked their suggestion with some cold, hard facts.
“Mastectomy mommies don’t qualify from donor milk from the bank,” Meghan explained. “I’ve looked into different share organisations but the milk isn’t tested and different diseases are also carried through breast milk and I’m not willing to risk my babies life for “healthier” milk.
“I was furious”
Some other mums shared their own similar experience, and congratulated Meghan on sparking an important conversation.
“LOVE this!” one mum wrote. “Just had my little miracle baby in May! Had a double mastectomy in June 2012 at 24 … During my prenatal appointments, the nurses would always ask if I plan to breastfeed (which totally didn’t bother me) and I would just say no and that was that. But one nurse actually looked at me all and said “what do you plan to do with all that nice breast milk? Just let it dry up?” I was furious! She got educated really quick!”