Mom called ‘disturbing’ for breastfeeding 4-year-old autistic son, defends it as ‘one thing that comforts him’
By Anna Roberts | The Sun
A mom who breastfeeds her four-year-old son has revealed people call her a pedophile.
Yakaly Di Roma, 31, from Wales, has released pictures of her breastfeeding son Hans in various poses, including at her laptop and in the middle of a bull ring.
She can also be seen posing in a Maleficent costume and tandem-feeding with one-month-old River.
Further pictures show her with her husband, Christian O’Reilly, with her son Hans breastfeeding and sitting on her lap.
But not everyone has been kind.
“I've been called a pedophile for breastfeeding my son,” she said. “I've also been told I do child porn photography because breastfeeding a child of my son's age is ‘disgusting’ and ‘disturbing’."
Despite receiving cruel comments from internet trolls calling her a "pedophile" and "disgusting", Yakaly has made it her "mission to normalize breastfeeding and doesn’t intend to stop breastfeeding her sons until they are ready.
“Breastfeeding for me, is so special. It has created an unbreakable bond that I am able to share with my children,” Yakaly said.
“Hans is autistic, and this is the one thing that comforts him the most, it makes him feel safe.
"Nothing else comes close to being able to calm and soothe him, the way I can when I feed him.
“He looks to me for security and love, and it makes me so happy that I am still able to do this for him. There are many benefits to breastfeeding and extended breastfeeding.
“It is the most natural thing in the world; it should be normalized, celebrated even.
“It isn't easy, it's actually very difficult, it is exhausting, and it can be painful, but all the sacrifice that comes with it, it's completely worth it.”
“Getting to Hans’ fourth birthday and knowing he still takes comfort from breastfeeding is a milestone,” she admitted.
“When I feed my babies, that is our time, it is the one thing I share with them that nobody else can, that is worth capturing, posed or un-posed.
“I have received many negative and hurtful comments when I have shared my photos, it can be upsetting sometimes, but I try not to let it get to me.
“I know I am doing the best for my boys, and I will continue to do so for as long as they need. I share my portraits to try and help normalize breastfeeding, to normalize something that is actually completely natural.
“I encourage all breastfeeding mothers to do the same, capture these moments while you can, enjoy every ounce of your time feeding your babies.”
She told how, as well as breastfeeding, Hans ate normally.
“I will keep sharing my photos and I am extremely thankful for all the support and love I receive,” the photographer continued.
“Breastfeeding was very difficult in the beginning; I had mastitis, all kinds of problems because I didn't know what I was doing but it got better with time.”
“I hope to normalize breastfeeding by sharing my posts.
"The more people see breasts as baby food and not something that's used to sell a product, the more people will understand that breast is best and a breast’s main purpose is to feed babies.”
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Originally Posted by Teh One Who Knocks
