Remember when Facebook wouldn’t allow users to post breastfeeding photos because they violated the site’s nudity policy?
Just five years ago, posting a breastfeeding photo was an act of defiance. Because of those acts of defiance, breastfeeding photos are no longer a big deal.
In fact, it can be quite beautiful. Now, Facebook welcomes mothers to share their experiences – experiences which can include feeding your baby on your wedding day.
Michelle Branch got married to the Black Key’s Patrick Carney in New Orleans, and now the singer-songwriter’s wedding album is going to include an ode to motherhood. Branch posted a photo of herself breastfeeding her son, Rhys, while clad in her wedding dress and veil.
Branch captioned the Instagram post with “a baby has to eat when a baby has to eat,”making the point that you never stop being a mom, even on your wedding day.
" expand=1]Branch’s photo is another punch in the fight to destigmatize breastfeeding. By posting the photo, Branch shows that nursing mother have to do it whenever, wherever. Not only is breastfeeding natural, but you can look elegant while doing it.
The photo garnered a lot of support onInstagram, receiving an overwhelming amount of positive comments.
“And THIS is why women are amazing!! You’re a queen!” one person wrote on Instagram. “Such a beautiful bride.in a tender moment,” wrote another. One user put it simply: “#normalizebreastfeeding.”
Branch was also an inspiration to other moms just by posting a photo of breastfeeding in such a casual, normal way.
“Loveeeee,” wrote one commenter. “@alifedotowsky just posted a memory of her feeding her daughter in her wedding day and I just think it's beautiful. I have been struggling to feed my ten week old soon (tongue/lip ties, thrush, clogged ducts, etc) and these images help me wanna keep going!”
Other women were motivated to share their breastfeeding stories, including those who had to wear the mom and bride hat on the same day.
“This is the best- I remember nursing my oldest daughter on my wedding day in my dress and being so worried about her spitting up on it 😆congratulations!” wrote one person. “Giiirlll, I’ve had my teets out everywhere breastfeeding,” wrote another user.
Branch’s photo helps demonstrate that it’s important for mothers to post about their experiences. By posting a photo in such a casual way, it destigmatizes the act by refusing to accept there’s a stigma in the first place. Additionally, it tells other mothers that there’s nothing wrong in nursing your child. And what can be more beautiful than that?
Overwhelmed with emotion.
Stressed at the desk, seeking a moment of calm.
Storytime circle with kids and teachers in the classroom.
Man sitting on chair covering his eyes.Photo by 
Dishwasher and dishes.via 
A woman washing dishes.via
Communications expert shares the 7-word phrase to shoot down anyone being disrespectful
Try this method next time someone says something rude.
A woman can't believe what she just heard.
Getting caught off guard by a rude comment from a coworker, family member, or total stranger can throw you for a loop. You immediately start wondering how you should respond. Should I insult the person right back or play it cool without stooping to their level? Everyone is going to be thrown by a disrespectful comment at some point, so it’s good to have a response in your back pocket for that moment when it comes.
Communications expert Jefferson Fisher provided a great response that we can all use recently on the Mel Robbins Podcast. Fisher is a Texas board-certified personal injury attorney and one of the most respected voices on argumentation and communication in the world. He is also the bestselling author of The Next Conversation: Argue Less, Talk More.
How to respond to a rude or disrespectful comment
Fisher told Robbins that the first step in responding to the comment is nonverbal. You say nothing. “A lot of silence. So often, if you just wait 10 seconds that you're gonna add distance between what they said and how you're going to respond,” Fisher said. “They're saying this to get something out of you, cause in that moment, they're feeling something, whether it's a fear or an insecurity, whatever it is, you're not going to deliver on that same plane that they are.”
The next step is to let the rude person know that their behavior will not be tolerated in a confident manner.
“So somebody says something disrespectful, you give enough silence to make sure that it's a little awkward, and then you're going to say something to the effect of, ‘That's below my standard for a response.’ All of a sudden, you're now making it clear that what you just said was beneath me. And I don't respond to things that are beneath me in that way.”
Throw it back on them
If you prefer to put someone back on their heels instead of squelching the situation as Fisher recommends, John Bowe, a speech trainer, award-winning journalist, and author of I Have Something to Say: Mastering the Art of Public Speaking in the Age of DisconnectionI Have Something to Say: Mastering the Art of Public Speaking in the Age of Disconnection, says that you should respond with a question: “Do you really mean that?”
“Say it with outrage or dripping sarcasm, with raised eyebrows or deadpan calm. It doesn’t matter. This phrase is quietly disarming and deceptively powerful,” Bowe writes for CNBC. Bowe says the response does two great things for you. First, it gives them a chance to reconsider their words because most rude comments are said without thinking. “By responding with curiosity instead of defensiveness, you’re holding up a mirror. Often, that’s all it takes for the other person to walk back their offense,” he writes.
After the person is asked if they meant what they said, they can double down on their rude comment, but they are probably more likely to backpedal or apologize.
Unfortunately, it’s a fact of life that, unless you live under a rock, you’ll have to deal with people making rude comments. But the best thing you can do is to prepare yourself to confidently put someone in their place so they’ll think twice about ever being rude to you again.