MY DAUGHTERS AND I STARRED IN THAT COMMERCIAL SO MANY OF YOU SAW

Breastfeeding. It is such a controversial topic but it is a conversation that needs to be had more often. I knew I always wanted to breastfeed my children, even before I had them, but I never guessed in a million years that I would be doing it for the entire world to see!

In January, my daughters and I had the amazing opportunity to star in a breastfeeding commercial for Frida Mom. This ad depicted the highs and lows mothers face during the duration of their breastfeeding journey while also advertising Frida Mom’s new line of postpartum breast care products. No one ever really prepares you for the struggles you are bound to face throughout your breastfeeding journey, so it was utterly amazing to be a part of a project that I am all too familiar with and have experienced with my own children. Breastfeeding isn’t easy and it’s time we start opening the dialogue to talk about side effects like

overproduction, underproduction, pumping, improper latching, pain, engorgement, leaks, etc.

This commercial meant so much to me because I wasn’t acting. I look tired in the commercial because I am actually tired in real life. Navigating through life with three young children is exhausting. When you’re pregnant, the idea of breastfeeding feels so easy and cookie-cutter. You want to breastfeed, so you just assume you will. I personally never knew about or was really prepared for the difficult journey ahead of me. When you get home, you are solely responsible for nourishing this tiny human you’ve just brought into the world, and it can become extremely stressful when it isn’t a smooth experience.

My identical twin daughters, Arya and Wynter, are represented by an agency in Los Angeles and when our agent presented this casting, I knew we would be perfect for the job. This was a rare TV commercial that portrayed a real mom actually breastfeeding her baby. It was shocking to me that it was so rare to air a commercial like this especially since I have seen so many

This commercial isn’t just for women, it is for everyone! It is important that we are all aware of the sacrifice and hard work and emotion it takes to do this.

questionable commercials and ads that were far worse than a mother feeding her baby. Breastfeeding is such a natural and beautiful experience to share with your child, and it is sad to me that so many people see otherwise. Society and the media have massively oversexualized women’s breasts, when, to keep it simple, they were made to feed!

I was compelled to share my story and participate in this commercial because I feel very strongly about breastfeeding. This is my reality. Lack of sleep, keeping up with a pumping schedule, ensuring I am eating properly, feeding my hungry baby, there are so many things that go along with it. I personally have had many ignorant comments and statements directed at me surrounding breastfeeding about how women should cover up, or how “nasty” it is. It makes me so upset that some people are just extremely unaware of the toll such remarks can have on some women.

I feel so honored that I was able to be a part of history and represent women worldwide, sending the message that while our journeys may not exactly be the same, a lot of our thoughts, worries and fears are! I have always been passionate about seeing and making real changes, and my hopes are that this commercial sparks some needed conversations surrounding breastfeeding. This commercial isn’t just for women, it is for everyone! It is important that we are all aware of the sacrifice and hard work and emotion it takes to do this. It is nothing to be ashamed of. It should be celebrated! Motherhood isn’t all glitz and glam. There are a lot of tears, and self-sabotage moments as well.

It is important for women to know that they are not alone in this. There are so many resources and products that can assist. As a mother of three, if there is anything I’ve learned, it is that a fed baby is a happy baby. Whether you’re breastfeeding, pumping, bottle feeding or formula feeding, this venture into motherhood is so new and different for us all. To any mama out there struggling with breastfeeding, feeling less than, or just downright tired, your feelings are validated! You are exactly what your baby or babies need, and you are enough! I see you, I hear you, I am you! You got this!