Married at First Sight star Jamie Otis has slammed Instagram trolls in defense of her decision to continue breastfeeding her one-year-old son Hendrix.
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"I wish our western world society would stop hyper-sexualizing breasts and telling mothers it's 'weird' to FEED your child with [breasts] that are literally only intended to FEED children," the Season 1 Married at First Sight alum, 34, captioned the selfie.
Jamie wrote some of the specific nasty comments she had received from trolls criticizing her upload.
"He's getting a little big to nurse if he's playing with your boob," one Instagram user wrote.
"Jamie, that pic with baby on your breast is disturbing," another person complained.
And a third commenter called the visual of Jamie breastfeeding her 12-month-old son "pedo-ish."
The comments clearly hit a nerve with Jamie, who lashed out at haters, "My son JUST turned one. I'm not a pedophile because I nurse him. My sweet boy is just a BABY, he isn't 'playing' with my breasts in a sexual way."
Jamie continued in her Instagram caption, "The World Health Organization and UNICEF recommend that babies be breast-fed for at least two years, but as long as seven years. Even though I learned in nursing school that 'breast is best' (bc of the many, many benefits of breast milk), I've always believed that FED IS BEST."
Jamie pointed out, however, there are many reasons why a woman may choose formula over breast milk.
"Breastfeeding is seriously hard work... it's literally like a full time job. Some women can't produce enough milk. Some don't get enough time off work to pump. Some ladies supply doesn't ever increase to meet their growing babies demand," Jamie explained.
"The list goes on & on as to why breastfeeding mamas need or want to end nursing. There should be no shame in choosing to end your journey of breastfeeding whenever you and your baby are ready."
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Jamie went on to insist, "All of the reasons a woman may choose to completely forego breast-feeding or stop early are reasonable and acceptable except this one: she's shamed for nursing her baby/toddler/child so she chooses to only nurse in private or not at all when both she and her baby enjoy the (highly nutritious) bonding experience. How heartbreaking."
Jamie admitted she used to be "kind of quiet and shy" about this topic -- but not anymore!
"Man, we need to speak out about this bc it's not ok to be mom-shamed and/or bullied just because you are trying to bond, nourish, and care for your baby the best way you know how," Jamie wrote.
"Boobs aren't meant for anything other than to produce milk for babies... if you think it's 'weird' or 'pedo-like' when a woman is nursing her child the problem lies with you."
Jamie concluded, "Mamas, somehow we gotta spread the message that breastfeeding is not an act of pedophilia & no one should be shamed for it."
Jamie's husband Doug Hehner showed his support for Jamie, whom he married on Season 1 of Married at First Sight in 2014, in the comments section.
"I'm proud of you for going over a year strong breastfeeding @hendrix_hehner -- I know how frustrating it became at times but you stuck with it, just like you said you would. However... I am looking forward to the day when I get your boobs back," Doug wrote.
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Trolls bashing her parenting decisions is probably the last thing Jamie needs right now considering she recently admitted to having a "mental breakdown" and is currently experiencing trust issues and going through a "rough patch" with Doug.
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"I had this mental breakdown a couple weeks ago and since then Doug & I have been really trying," Jamie recently shared on social media.
"We aren't giving up on each other. So yeah, our grass isn't always green. But we both vowed to water the ish outta it til it's vibrant with life again. #marriedlife."
Earlier this year, Jamie revealed on social media she and Doug began trying for a third child, and she even filmed herself taking a pregnancy test on the toilet in her bathroom.
After getting married as complete strangers on reality TV in 2014, Jamie and Doug lost a son they named Johnathan in 2016.
Jamie and Doug then welcomed their first child, Henley, into the world in August 2017, before battling through the pain and hardship of subsequent miscarriages.
The pair was therefore thrilled to announce in September 2019 they had Baby No. 2 on the way, and their son Hendrix arrived in a natural, home birth last spring.
The home birth was featured in a June 2020 episode of Married at First Sight: Couples Cam, which will be premiering its third season on Wednesday, June 2 at 8PM ET/PT on Lifetime.
Following their stint on Married at First Sight's first season, Jamie and Doug co-starred on Married at First Sight: The First Year, a spinoff which continued to follow the two MAFS Season 1 couples who opted to remain together during their first year of marriage.
Jamie and Doug also later starred on Married at First Sight: Jamie and Doug Plus One, their own spinoff which premiered in December 2017.
Jamie now serves as the host of Married at First Sight: Unfiltered, the show's post-episode discussion show that also airs on Lifetime, and she and Doug also shared commentary on Married at First Sight: Couples Couch.
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About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski
