Marcia Leone shares candid picture of herself breastfeeding her 14-month-old daughter

A mother-of-two has shared a candid picture she ‘never wanted to post’ of herself breastfeeding her toddler daughter amid fears she would be trolled.

Marcia Leone, otherwise known as Not So Mumsy, hit back at critics for body shaming mothers as she uploaded a snap on Instagram of herself in a bikini bottom proudly nursing her 14-month-old daughter Poppy.

‘I never posted this picture because I knew I would cop it for feeding my 14 month old who “wasn’t a baby anymore”,’ the Sydney mummy blogger said.

‘But what I will say is I am a happy, loving mum-of-two who has a very healthy relationship with food and exercise and my body – and I’m raising my children to love theirs. This body grew, birthed and nourished the two loves of my life.’

Marcia Leone (pictured) hit back at critics for body shaming mothers – as she shared a picture of herself in a bikini bottom proudly nursing her 14-month-old daughter Poppy (pictured)

The mother said she never wanted to post the picture - but she decided to do it, along with a caption where she stood up to the trolls who have posted nasty remarks on her wall

The mother said she never wanted to post the picture – but she decided to do it, along with a caption where she stood up to the trolls who have posted nasty remarks on her wall

In a lengthy post, the mother called out the people for posting the nasty remarks on her wall.

‘When did it become OK to publicly shame a person for how she looks? For how long she nursed or didn’t nurse her own child? For going away for work and leaving her kids with their Dad? For taking time for self care?,’ Ms Leone said.

‘I thought we moved past that? I thought we were in the age of women empowerment or is that a hashtag that gets thrown around? “Poor girl needs some food”, “this isn’t a normal body”, “feed her” or “go eat some ice cream…”

‘The people who said these things weren’t trolls, they were just women who saw someone who looked different from them and decided it was ok to say these things without thinking that there was a real person on the other side.’

The mother with her family - husband and their two children, son Archie and daughter Poppy

The mother with her family – husband and their two children, son Archie and daughter Poppy

Ms Leone said she’s never spoken about her body or posted ‘before and after’ photographs of her pre and post-pregnancy.

‘Because I understand that every body is different and these kind of posts put pressure on new mums,’ she said.

She encouraged the nasty trolls to: ‘Ask yourself if you would say these things to your daughter, mother or sister?

Be the example for our children – they have a lifetime of this scary social media world ahead of them

‘We don’t have to agree, we don’t even have to support each other or even like each other, but there is no excuse for nastiness, ever,’ she said.

‘Put that energy into doing something good. Be the example for our children – they have a lifetime of this scary social media world ahead of them.’

Despite the nasty comments, Ms Leone said she’s proud of her body.

‘Just like you should be proud of yours. That’s the definition of body positive, not shaming anybody – celebrating all shapes and sizes,’ she said. 

‘The purpose of this post isn’t to get sympathy – it isn’t even really about body size – it’s to hopefully encourage people to think before they write nasty comments.’

Her powerful post struck a chord with thousands of mothers everywhere, as she was praised for speaking out about body shaming

Her powerful post struck a chord with thousands of mothers everywhere, as she was praised for speaking out about body shaming

Her powerful post struck a chord with thousands of mothers everywhere, as she was praised for speaking out about body shaming.

Many described her caption as ‘uplifting’, ‘honest’, and ‘beautiful’ – as they all shared their breastfeeding shaming stories.

‘Good for you for reminding women that no woman’s body is available to critique,’ one mother said.

Good for you for reminding women that no woman’s body is available to critique 

Another said: ‘My whole life I have copped the comments “you’re so skinny”, “you’re so tall” and it was always done in a patronising manner. Everyone just needs to remember that healthy comes in all shapes and sizes.’

‘Good on you for calling it out, and for doing what you do. It’s not easy to put yourself and your family out there but you do it with grace my friend,’ one said.

Another said: ‘I love your words. I’ve definitely received both comments. Proud of you for writing this.’

And one said: ‘You’re beautiful. They are bitter. Keep advocating for every woman, and maybe one day every woman will stop evaluating her worth based on what she looks like.’



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