Megan Gale has taken to social media to celebrate World Breastfeeding Week, sharing a passionate message in support of breastfeeding in public — and the ongoing stigma that surrounds it.
The 41-year-old, who announced she was expecting another child with her AFL partner Shaun Hampson in April, posted the message alongside a revealing throwback picture showing her breastfeeding her son.
“I find it so shocking that breastfeeding in public is still so frowned upon and considered inappropriate in many cases,” she wrote on Instagram. “Women are being made to feel guilt and shame for breastfeeding their child when it is not only undoubtedly the best method to feed your baby, it’s also the physical function of breasts and what they’re intended for.”
Megan explained that, for her, breastfeeding hadn’t always been easy and even described the experience as “harder” than anyone could imagine.
“I have faced my own triumphs and struggles trying to breastfeed – it’s harder than one can imagine. However I (thankfully) was never told not to breastfeed in public,” she posted. “I’d like to see someone try and tell me not to.”
However, she encouraged other mothers to forge ahead, even when it’s difficult, and implored fans to do their bit to normalise the natural (and beautiful) act.
“When you finally get the hang of it and have the ability to do it, the last thing any woman wants is to be told to stop, that it’s inappropriate, wrong or abnormal,” she wrote. “It’s the most normal, natural thing in the world and it needs to be fully accepted not frowned upon.”
Megan went on to reveal that she was somewhat hesitant to post her message of support, wondering if it was “a bit too full on” for social media.
“I actually wondered whether or not to post this photo as I had the thought ‘Is it a bit too full on for Instagram?’” she questioned. “But I instantly realised it’s that exact train of thought that is encouraging the stigma. So here I am, in my most natural state, doing what comes naturally with my beautiful boy.”
The model and actress closed the powerful post with a call-to-action, urging her followers to share their own breastfeeding pictures.
Megan recently opened up about her her experience of miscarriage, explaining that it’s something she’s brought with her into her current pregnancy.
The mother-of-one, who revealed earlier in the year that she had miscarried in her second pregnancy, said there has been a marked difference in her attitude this time around.
“The pregnancy is going well,” she told Mamamia at the unveiling of her wax figure for Madame Tussauds in Sydney.
“In some ways it is different to my first [pregnancy] because of the experience of going through a miscarriage. I was very conscious to not put a lot of pressure on myself or Shaun or us or as a couple [to fall pregnant again] and let it happen organically. We very were lucky that it happened so quickly.”
“But there is a little bit of a difference. With my first pregnancy, I knew there were complications but I didn’t worry about it as much. With this pregnancy, I have been waiting for every scan and waiting on the edge of my seat for each one to pass,” she said.
“I try not to let nerves and stress play a role in it all, but you can’t help but wonder – what if it happens again? Shaun spoke about it as a couple and we agreed, whatever will be will be.”
Thankfully, the Aussie-darling told the publication that at this time everything is “absolutely flying.”
Megan, we can’t wait to meet your little bundle of joy!
