Breastfeeding: the gift that lasts a lifetime...
There are many famous moms who have breastfed or are currently breastfeeding. Did you know that both Hillary Clinton and
Tipper Gore were breastfeeding moms? Tipper has been very vocal about her breastfeeding experiences:
"I breastfed all my children and I am a very strong proponent [of breastfeeding]. It was one of the most rewarding and satisfying
experiences of motherhood, so far. It is very healthy for the child which should appeal to all mothers. It is basic nutrition.
It's nature's way, and that's a good thing. It helps with emotional bonding."
(Chicago Sun-Times, April 11, 1993)
Working mothers are demanding changes in the workplace so that they can pump, if they choose to, in a warm and comfortable setting. With breastfed babies being so healthy there is less
time lost for illnesses. Some mothers are even able to take their babies with them to work. Joan Lunden who was on ABC's Good Morning America (GMA) breastfed her daughters. She
even brought them to work with her when they were little.
One of my favorite breastfeeding scenes on TV was on the Roseanne Show. Roseanne's sister, Jackie was breastfeeding
her baby at her own wedding (two-piece wedding gown). She did this very discretely (as the baby got hungry just as the vows
were being spoken), and you really couldn't tell he was nursing,
unless you "knew". It was humorous, but also so very humane to do something so natural...even in *gasp* public!
Mary, Mother of Jesus
Princess Grace of Monaco
Princess Caroline of Monaco, oldest child of Princess Grace
Diana, Princess of Wales
Queen Elizabeth II of England breastfed Prince Charles. (The book, "The Royals," spends about two paragraphs telling about the Queen breastfeeding the infant prince. It goes on to say that this fact couldn't be publicized at the time because it would be considered bad manners to discuss the "royal breasts.")
Queen Sirikit, of Thailand
Kelly Ripa, actress and talk show host
Jada Pinkett Smith, actress, and wife of Will Smith
Andie McDowell, model, actress
Holly Robinson, actress, nursing twins
Keely Shaye-Smith, companion of Pierce Brosnan
Anita Baker, singer
Connie Selleca, actress,
husband John Tesh talked proudly on TV about extended breastfeeding
Mia Farrow, actress
Katherine Ross, actress
Jayne Kennedy, actress
Susan St. James, actress
Linda Kelsey, actress
Mariette Hartley, actress
Demi Moore, actress
Adrianne Barbeaux, actress, over 50 and nursing her twin sons
Melissa Gilbert, actress
Cybil Shepard, actress (nursed twins)
Rita Wilson, actress wife of Tom Hanks
(she commented at some award show, perhaps the Oscars,
that they couldn't stay out late and her dress *fit* so well because she was breastfeeding!)
Madonna, singer and actress
(who can forget her singing on the Rosie Show that "the milk truck" is the only role I play!)
Jane Seymour, actress, (nursed twins)
Lindsay Wagner, actress (The Bionic Woman),
and a strong supporter of breastfeeding,
nursed her children for an extended period of time
Cathy Rigby, gymnast, olympic gold medalist
Mary Lou Retton, gymnast, olympic gold medalist
Mrs. Jordan, Michael Jordan's mom breastfed him for 3 years
and said "I feel that is why he is the athlete he is."
Cheryl Swopes, BB player
Joan Rivers, talk show host and comedienne
Tracy Pollan, actress, wife of Michael J. Fox
Christie Brinkley, model
Nicole Simpson
Eleanor Roosevelt
Marilu Henner, actress
Julianne Moore, actress
Patricia Richardson, actress (nursed twins)
Carly Simon, singer (ex-wife of James Taylor), breastfed her children long term
Valerie Bertinelli, actress
Katie Couric, host, Today Show
Pamela Anderson Lee (with implants)
Ruth Pointer, singer, (nursed twins)
Miss Lillian breastfed, Jimmy Carter, but bottlefed Billy (not confirmed)
Pele's mom breastfed him
Laurie Metcalf, actress
Ursula Andress, actress
Sophia Lauren, actress
Meryl Streep, actress
Jacqueline Smith, actress
Kathie Lee Gifford, talk show host and singer
Carrie-Anne Moss from the Matrix movies is still nursing her one year old son.
Catherine Bell, actress
Gwyneth Paltrow, actress
Debra Messing, actress
Cindy Crawford, model
Jane Kaczmarek, actress
Celine Dion, singer
Sarah MacLachlan, singer
Victoria Beckham aka Posh Spice from the Spice Girls
Angie Harmon, actress
and many more mothers that I have missed
This listing was compiled by contributions from many nursing moms, and I thank them all for taking the time to help me with this fun project!
Note: The names have not been checked for spelling
correctness, as I did not have the time to do this, so please let me know if there are any mistakes. Thanks!
To all the moms who wanted to nurse or tried to nurse and didn't
feel successful, your babies are better for your desire to breastfeed. If you breastfed at all, your baby benefitted from
the milk they received from you. In many cases it is lack of proper breastfeeding support that causes the problems. Many moms
have found help and support from La Leche League Leaders, Peer Counselors, friends who breastfed, knowledgeable Health Care Professionals, or Lactation Consultants (IBCLC). It is worth it to find
help and support before your baby is born. The best gift you can give your baby is the "gift" that lasts a lifetime.
La Leche League International, a wonderful source of Breastfeeding Information and Support
If you know any more famous moms who breastfed, please email me with the information, and I will add them when I get a chance:
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