Yummy Mummies star Jane Scandizzo wants Australia to know one thing – she doesn’t agree with co-star Maria DiGeronimo’s views on breastfeeding in public.
Maria sparked controversy – and calls to ban the show – before the Channel Seven reality series even aired when promos surfaced of her saying breastfeeding in public was, for her, “illegal”.
However, Jane wants to make it clear her views do not represent that of herself or fellow mums Lorinska Merrington and Rachel Watts, telling YahooBe the comments were “sad”.
“Those really silly comments by Maria made us all look really bad…” the mum-of-two said.
“I think it’s really sad. Obviously, not everyone can breastfeed, but if you can I think it is the best start for a little one, especially the first six weeks, and if you can – do it – it’s awesome, but if you can’t obviously you have to try other things.
“I don’t believe it should be illegal. It’s terrible, and it’s sad, what’s the world coming to if that’s your opinion.”
The Melbourne mum, who breastfed her son Jagger and 11-month-old baby (who she was pregnant with while filming), said she can understand why the comments caused such a stir.
“I always breastfeed my kids, so I probably would have gotten upset anyway if I didn’t know what the show was like,” she said.
In a statement published in the Adelaide Advertiser on Tuesday, Maria clarified her comments as being about her own choice and not the opinions of others.
Listen: The Binge weighs in on the new show. (Post continues after audio.)
“My main premise for the comment I made in Channel Seven’s new reality show, Yummy Mummies, that “breastfeeding in public, for me, is illegal” derives from my notion that the sacred act of breastfeeding is physically and emotionally intimate and is not just about feeding, but equally as important is the connection and bonding of mother and child,” she told the newspaper.
“So you can argue your opinion on this matter and go against mine but realise there are women, like myself, who prefer to choose to be discreet in breastfeeding and opt for comfortable conditions in which to breastfeed with intention of providing the solo intimacy for both mother and baby.”
Mamamia reached out to Maria DiGeronimo for further comment.
Top Comments
Oh great I'm glad she feels it's so sacred that she won't BF in public, so when the Bub comes nobody will have to see her for at least 6weeks then! Or longer, because so sacred. She will be missed.
I breastfed both of my children and I couldn't do it in public. For me personally, I preferred to be discreet. I wish I had the guts to breastfeed in public like so many other women do (it would have been so much easier for me!!) but I just couldn't. I tried a couple of times, but just felt like the whole world was staring at me and my baby so chose not to. I would just get comfortable in parent's room or if I had to in my car and feed. Everyone has the right to do what makes them feel comfortable so I guess I can understand where she comes from - maybe she just chose the wrong words to express how she feels about it all, or maybe she is back-peddling because there was such a negative reaction to her comments and she genuinely doesn't like women feeding in public. Who knows with these sorts of shows...