Myleene Klass defends sharing breastfeeding photos and criticises trolls for ‘chastising’ mothers

Myleene Klass has publicly defended her decision to breastfeed her children and called for people to “support and respect, not critique” mothers.

On Tuesday, the 42-year-old radio host shared a gallery of photos on Instagram of herself breastfeeding her 11-month-old son, Apollo.

In the caption, Klass shared her thoughts on breastfeeding in public and questioned why some people find it so offensive.

“Uh oh. Some of us mums are being chastised for pumping,” she wrote. “No one bats an eyelid prepping their own breakfast, why choose to get flustered over my baby having his? Boobs were designed to feed.

“How funny that some fat, cells and glands could so deeply offend so many. Being a mum is hard enough. You can't do right for doing wrong. Seemingly, everyone knows how to raise YOUR baby except you.”

The musician went on to highlight the criticisms mothers face about how they feed their baby and said photos of breastfeeding help to “normalise” the process.

“If you feed with formula, you're supposedly the devil, if you breastfeed, you're offending those that don't or can't and worse yet, the patriarchy won't be able to control themselves...stop titillating the men folk!” she wrote.

“My body, my baby, my choice. I've been exclusively breastfeeding Apollo for 11 months. He's my miracle baby. It's a part of our bond. I love, LOVE doing it for him.

“The photos of other women breastfeeding, pumping, normalise things for me and if mine, in turn, do the same for other mothers who feel embarrassed, judged or that they should need to stifle their baby under a muslin lest they offend some wallflower with their life giving, breastfeeding skills, I'll continue posting.”

Klass concluded her post by calling on people to respect breastfeeding mothers and listed a series of struggles many women face, including cracked nipples, mastitis and blocked ducts.

“The leaking, the boulder sized bras cutting up your shoulders, the extra weight your body clings onto, trying not to spill a drop as you decant at work, timing your feeds so you don't explode, watching what you eat and drink, these mums deserve support and respect, not critique. What a bunch of babies,” she added.

The former Hear’Say star’s words were applauded by her followers and celebrity friends, with model Erin O'Connor writing: “AMEN,” alongside a praying hands and kissing face emoji.

Coronation Street actor Helen Flanagan also commented: “Ah how beautiful” alongside a pink hear emoji.

Klass later thanked her followers for their support and sharing their own experiences with a message on her Instagram stories.

“Completely blown away by all your messages since my BF post. From men and woman alike. OMG. The guilt, the sadness, the regret, the lack of confidence that women have been made to feel,” she wrote.

“The looks you get and the judgement are the projection of that person’s insecurities or wishes, and ultimately, it’s no one’s business but yours and your baby’s. Keep up the good work mamas and don’t feed in the loos. You and your baby belong on a pedestal.”

Earlier this year, Klass said she was on a mission to “normalise” breastfeeding and does it everywhere, including at work and when travelling on the train.

“It's important to normalise breastfeeding, it's more in this country because I think when you're abroad there's a different feel to it,” she told the Daily Mail. “I just want to normalise it so it makes it easier for everyone.”

Myleene is also a mother to daughters Ava, 12, and Hero, eight, and is a stepmother to her partner’s son and daughter from his previous marriage.