Ashley Graham Explains Why She Stopped Breastfeeding Her 5-Month-Old Twins

Ashley Graham is one of the most relatable models and public figures out there. After becoming the first-ever plus-size model to be featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated, she has made it her mission to spread the body positivity message. And since Graham is keeping it real in every aspect of her life, she also held nothing back throughout her pregnancies, showing what it really takes to be a mom.

Being a mom to a boy and 2 twins, Graham is spreading a message that every mom has a right to choose whether breastfeeding is right for them, regardless of society’s expectations.

In a recent interview, Graham got candid about the consequences of being pregnant that every woman goes through but prefers to not be too vocal about. The model said she also considered keeping some things to herself, admitting, “Especially with how your body is changing when you’re pregnant, and stretchmarks, and the saggy skin, formula, breastfeeding. Cause there’s also this whole thing with people telling you how to feed your child.”

Ashley proceeded to explain her experience with breastfeeding: “With my first kid, I was like, ’I can only breastfeed! This is the right way!’ Then I had the twins, and I was like, ’I’m not doing this. This is not working here. Both of you want both of these? This is a lot of work.’ So I stopped breastfeeding when they were 5 months, and I gave them the best formula that I could find… And these little guys are so strong and so happy.”

Ultimately, Graham believes it’s up to every mom to decide between formula or breastfeeding based on their personal experience. She drove her point home, saying, “I don’t think we should be telling people how we should be feeding our kids.”

The model then became even more relatable, sharing her physical struggles after giving birth. She said, “Your body just fills up with nutrition, and the baby sucks it out of you. And then the baby comes out and all of a sudden you’re just fully depleted of everything, so your hair falls out, you get acne, I mean, the weight doesn’t come off.”

Graham explained her candidness, saying, “I like to represent myself as someone who’s just happy with who I am. And I had a journey, like, it is a journey, body confidence, being okay with who you are is a journey… I don’t ever want to lie.” And we’re all grateful for the model sharing her experiences with us, as it makes mothers around the world feel seen and heard.

Preview photo credit ashleygraham / Instagram, ashleygraham / Instagram

Brave toddler agrees to sing national anthem before crowd, only to have 6,000 people on their feet

I’ve always loved theater, and I think it takes a lot of confidence to walk up on stage and sing or act.

To reach to the point where they can act, sing, and dance on stage with ease, adults must practice and train for years.

The child performer you are going to witness is a 3-year-old boy, who is arguably the youngest I have ever witnessed playing the National Anthem. He is not an adult.

He is winning so many hearts with his talent that the video of him singing has already garnered nearly half a million views.

Drake Winslow, age three, is the youngest individual to have ever sung the National Anthem during a Syracuse, New York, School Day game.

This self-assured young performer gave a faultless performance of the song in front of 6,000 spectators.

There was a standing ovation for his outstanding performance.

Drake’s mother, Chelsea, stood behind him throughout his performance and remarked, “I just think he’s too little to realize how big of a deal it is.”

We simply try not to bring it up too often and to be composed for him. He isn’t asked if he feels anxious. Perhaps he won’t consider that after that. He doesn’t truly understand what nervousness is yet.