Breastfeeding in public is still somewhat of a hot-button topic. Many mothers have been scolded or shamed if the opt to breastfeed in public. Well, actress and mother KeKe Palmer is speaking out, letting everyone know that she is no longer going to feel “shame” about breastfeeding in public.
“I think I carry a lot of shame sometimes when I’m in public spaces,” the 30-year-old said on a recent episode of her “Baby, This Is Keke Palmer” podcast. “I don’t want to make other people uncomfortable and I’ve had to really kind of come around to, like, not worrying about that.”
The Nope actress continued explaining to her position even more so to multi-hyphened entertainer, Janelle Monáe. Monáe was a special guest on the September 19 episode.
“It’s a really bad feeling when you feel that you’re embarrassing somebody that you’re with or you’re being an embarrassment in public. So, I’ve had to kind of just push that to the side. And then it’s been similar with the pumping. And I know people are trying to be helpful, but I’ve been pumping in public, and it’s like, ‘It is what it is, motherf–kers.’”
Monáe couldn’t have agreed more with the host. The 37-year-old Antebellum actress said that people are “getting free” as a result of Palmer setting an example.
“You say, ‘You don’t tell me what to do with my body. You don’t tell me how to act as a mother. You don’t define that. I define that,’” Monáe said. “And that is what I’m saying too.”
If you remember, back in June of this year, Palmer had an experience in a Houston, TX airport that she deemed as “breast milk discrimination.” She immediately took to X (formerly Twitter), in order to let fans know that a TSA agent had threatened to throw out her breast milk.
Breast milk discrimination at the Houston airport ruined my mood. I should’ve popped my tit out right then because the discretion and comfort of pumping is thwarted with threats to throw out over 16oz my babies food?!?!!! Why is that not a crime??
I’M A MOTHER for crying out…
— Keke Palmer (@KekePalmer) June 12, 2023
According to the World Health Organization, (WHO), breastmilk is the ideal food for infants. It is safe, clean and contains antibodies which help protect against many common childhood illnesses. Breastmilk provides all the energy and nutrients that the infant needs for the first months of life, and it continues to provide up to half or more of a child’s nutritional needs during the second half of the first year, and up to one third during the second year of life.
Palmer shares her son, Leodis with Darius Jackson. The pair welcomed their son into the world in February of this year.
Photo Credit(s)/Featured Images: Keke Palmer Instagram
