Stars Kelly Preston & Miranda Kerr Show Soft Side of Breastfeeding

by Bettina Forbes, CLC | January 19, 2011 9:26 pm

In an exclusive interview with People Magazine, actress Kelly Preston and husband, actor John Travolta, share their joy over the birth of their new son, Benjamin. The interview is beautiful and the photo on page 56 is priceless: little Benjamin is smiling up at his mom either right before or right after nursing! If look closely at the photo you can see that her nightgown has been pulled aside over her breast, but the photo was done so tastefully that the focus is really on the magical bond between mother and baby, and probably only a breastfeeding mom or advocate would notice that she was nursing. Huge kudos to People and the Travolta family for showing breastfeeding so naturally and normally in a way that can encourage and inspire moms.

The story also has some great nuggets to help moms: Kelly Preston had a c-section and shares that Benjamin was laid on her chest immediately. Many moms and physicians don’t know that babies can be laid across the chest right after the section, and that it helps both mother and baby generate oxytocin, the anti-stress “love” hormone, keeps the baby warm better than an incubator, and facilitates the baby’s hunger cues. Kelly goes on to talk about how Benjamin “is a really good sleeper, sleeping 4-5 hour stretches throughout the night”, and that she nurses him “for an hour before they fall asleep” and ”several times throughout the night.” John explains that because Benjamin “is being breastfed, he sleeps next to Mama for easy access” . . . another great opportunity to educate moms that by keeping babies nearby (for example in a co-sleeper), moms and babies sleep better and there is a lower risk of SIDS. Finally, Kelly also talks about calming Benjamin with nursing, reinforcing the evidence that breastfeeding lowers stress hormones, that breastfed babies generally cry less, and that breastfeeding plays an important role in soothing and nurturing baby, it’s not just food! Thank you People and Kelly Preston for setting such a positive example for the 75% of mothers who decide to breastfeed!

Courtesy Kerr/Bloom Family

Victoria’s Secret supermodel Miranda Kerr, who gave birth to a 9 lb 12 oz baby boy, Flynn, on January 12, chose to post an absolutely breathtaking photo of her son nursing in the side-lying position on her website, Kora Organics. People.com shared the story, along with the details that she had an all-natural birth, free of pain medication. Wow! No easy feat with an almost ten pound baby, and one that should empower moms to have faith in their amazing bodies. Miranda’s husband, actor Orlando Bloom, took the photo–we love seeing mamas nursing through the eyes of their partners!!

We’re so thrilled that People Magazine and these lovely ladies and their families had the courage to talk about breastfeeding and to share such intimate pictures. Breastfeeding needs to be seen because it’s like riding a bike: it’s hard to imagine doing it until you see everyone else flying down the street. Breastfeeding is also learned best by seeing it, and many moms don’t even know how simple it is just to pull aside a nightgown or how easy it is (and relaxing!) to snuggle up with baby, letting him or her nurse while lying down. With the help of Kelly Preston & Miranda Kerr, more moms are seeing just how normal and wonderful breastfeeding is.

Source URL: http://www.bestforbabes.org/stars-kelly-preston-miranda-kerr-show-soft-side-of-breastfeeding