Ferne McCann praised for normalising breastfeeding with 'empowering' magazine cover shoot
Amber Middleton
Content writerMum-of-two Ferne has been praised for posing on the cover of OK! magazine breastfeeding her baby, however trolls said the shoot could 'offend people'
Ferne McCann has stunned fans with a breastfeeding cover shoot alongside her six-month-old daughter, Finty.
The ex-TOWIE star posed for photos on the cover of OK! Magazine, showing the world that breastfeeding is not something that should be hidden away.
Acknowledging that not every mum chooses to, or can breastfeed, she explained that she feels more connected to her kids because of it.
The mum-of-two said: 'Not every mother can do it physically for various reasons, but for me, it’s been such an empowering, beautiful and very intimate experience.'
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'It blows my mind'
In the interview with OK!, which can be found here, Ferne, 32, said breastfeeding helped her 'grow resilience'.
She added: 'And I love the warmth of snuggling up to my baby and feeding her from my body. It blows my mind.'
Ferne, 33, has two daughters: Finty, born in July 2023, who she shares with fiance, Lorri Haines and eldest daughter, Sunday, six, who she shares with a previous partner.
But as much as she's pro-breastfeeding, she says she's 'not anti-formula', explaining that she gave Sunday formula after she stopped breastfeeding.
'What is so important is that mothers have a choice,' she said.
'Normalising breastfeeding!!!'
The mum posted the OK! Mag cover to her Instagram, in which readers can see Ferne breastfeeding Finty while dressed in a sheer white gown and lacy underwear.
One fan praised Ferne: 'Normalising breastfeeding!!! Thank you!!'
And breastfeeding publication, boobingit commented: 'Everyone should have a breastfeeding photoshoot. Photos to remember the most precious time and bond with your babe 😍❤️.'
While another comment read: 'Amazing, well done for normalising breast feeding' then adding: 'shame on all the negative comments 🙄'
Another mum said: 'YES FERNE!!!!!! Breastfeeding on the front page of OK !!!! I’ve breastfed my 3 children and am still breastfeeding my daughter who turned 3 last week !'
Others praised her as a role model: 'Fab to see breast feeding role models, and glamour with it too. Breastfeeding rates in the UK are shocking and that’s got a lot to do with the lack of visibility and examples.'
While another said: 'Normalising breastfeeding is amazing so many younger mums feel a sense of feeling too uncomfortable to feed their child and that should never be the case !!!! Well done ! Xx'
'This can offend people'
But some had negative comments about the post.
'Its a natural thing but do you need to put it on the front of a magazine, its private thing not a worldwide thing,' one user questioned.
A second said: 'I agree with breastfeeding. But this can offend people. I don’t think it warrants being on the front cover. It’s a bit much and your baby is really exposed.
'Regardless of not seeing the n**ple I do think it’s slightly too much to show.'
While others were confused about the sultry nature of the pictures.
Another comment read: 'I think it's great to celebrate breastfeeding but why does it have to be a sexy, glamourised photo shoot?!'
Others questioned: 'Breastfeeding is normalised though? So I’m not sure I get the point but do you.'
And a third felt bored of Ferne discussing breastfeeding: 'We get u breastfeed. Your not the only one!!'
'People be causing uproar over anything'
Many rushed to the comments to defend her: 'What happened to the whole "be kind" thing. People’s comments on here are unnecessary,' one comment read.
'Ignore the trolls!!! This is beautiful to see ♥️ I’m still breastfeeding my two-year old x,' said another mum.
A third fan said: 'People be causing uproar over anything, sexualising everything and So quick to complain yet forget the cause.
'Boobs were made for feeding babies. Anyone saying or thinking different need to go have a word with themselves. This picture is beautiful ❤️'
While others pointed out: 'My god the comment section proving why this cover is sooo important 😢'.
'People think you are attention-seeking, but you’re not'
In her interview with OK!, Ferne explained that 'lots of people think you are attention-seeking, but you’re not,' she said on documenting her breastfeeding journey.
'It’s literally capturing a moment of motherhood,' she said. 'I think, especially with motherhood, people online can be opinionated, which is fine. I’ve said before, I welcome the mum police in. It really doesn’t bother me.'
Ferne also joked about having Lorri drink her breast milk – and it's not the first time she's mentioned it.
Speaking on Steph's Packed Lunch In October last year she mentioned having tried her own breast milk.
She said: 'I wanted to try it just because I was curious. It's quite sweet. Lorri was like, "absolutely no way, I'll never try it whatsoever". And I was like why? It's feeding our baby, she absolutely loves it.'
She later added: 'It got me thinking, I actually want to see how well it froths up, because Lorri loves his macchiato and he's very particular, so imagine if it froths so I could slip a little bit into his morning coffee.'
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