Broadcaster praised after breastfeeding live on TV3’s Midday
Not a whole lot really - a hungry baby got fed. And the world didn’t end.
Broadcaster Dil Wickremasinghe joined fellow panellists Tina Koumarianos, Sonia Harris and Terry Prone on the TV3’s Midday today to discuss breastfeeding and attachment parenting.
During the live discussion, presenter Elaine Crowley pointed out that the Newstalk presenter had been discreetly feeding her newborn son Phoenix behind the table while they had been talking.
Elaine then went on to say it had been a conscious choice to include Dil feeding Phoenix on the show:
"I think mothers should be free to choose how, where and when to feed their babies without judgement or condemnation. If I didn’t point it out, there is no way anyone would have known little Phoenix was having his lunch live on air.
"All mothers should be supported no matter what they want to do, and if you’re lucky enough to be able to take your baby to work and he happens to be hungry, well what are you gonna do?"
So I breastfed Phoenix live on TV on @tv3midday today. So far no reports of any exploding tellys... Pity! 😂 #WBW2015 pic.twitter.com/dDo8ETLJsY
— Dil Wickremasinghe (@DilW) August 6, 2015
Quite a reaction to @DilW breastfeeding on @tv3midday ! What a gorgeous little family with Annemarie and Phoenix xx pic.twitter.com/iJyAsZkaaB
— Elaine Crowley (@ElaineCrowley) August 6, 2015
Most viewers had nothing but praise for the move, saying it normalised what is a natural act.
@DilW @tv3midday if a baby's hungry feed it that's what boobs are for It's misogyny that turns them into sexual objects for men to enjoy
— Cactus Jack Fan (@Cactustravelfan) August 6, 2015
@darraghdoyle @TV3Ireland @DilW as a 1st time bf mum thats wonderful to see. Bf is something so natural & should not have to be hidden away
— Kat (@katlaing1) August 6, 2015
@darraghdoyle @TV3Ireland @DilW Fair dues to her, lots wouldn't do it - it's natural and doing nobody harm - don't understand bad reaction.
— Lisa Ryan (@XOLisaRyan) August 6, 2015
And others pointed out that this may be a first for Irish TV.
@DilW @tv3midday AWW <3 Is this an Irish telly first?
— Fiona Hanley (@GreenClouds4) August 6, 2015
One woman rang in to complain saying that there was no need for it.
"No need for Dil to be breastfeeding on TV. I won’t be watching the show again when she’s on it. She’s a self-promoting gobsh*te. Has she ever heard of a breast pump?" said Karen.
Oh well, can’t win them all over.
Another viewer named Donna texted in to say that she thought it was "great to see breastfeeding on the show ".
"It’s not promoted positively enough in this country, well done!"
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
