Parenting
Hockey Player Breastfeeds Between Periods Like a Pro
by Emily Carter
March 30, 2018
In the world of motherhood, the job never truly stops, even during a hockey game. For one determined player from Alberta, this means juggling the responsibilities of being a new mom while competing on the ice. During a recent match, she took a moment to breastfeed her baby between periods, aiming to change perceptions about public breastfeeding.
24-year-old teacher and Grovedale Vipers player, Mia Johnson, from Grande Prairie, Alberta, shared a touching photo on Facebook of her nursing her eight-week-old daughter, Ava, during a game. Captured by her mother, the moment encapsulated the beauty of motherhood, and after some thought, Johnson felt compelled to share it with others.
“It was incredible to watch her prepare for the game while nurturing her daughter. I’ve never seen anything more beautiful,” Mia’s mother, Sarah Johnson, told HuffPost Canada. The photo eventually reached Mia’s lactation consultant, who posted it online with a powerful message: “You CAN pursue your passions while breastfeeding. You don’t need to choose between them. Babies can nurse anytime, anywhere. Embrace your interests and keep your child close for mutual happiness.”
Mia expressed that she feels a sense of empowerment when breastfeeding openly, believing that as a confident young mom, she can help destigmatize the act and showcase its normalcy. “I want breastfeeding to be viewed as beautiful and natural, which it truly is,” Mia remarked to HuffPost.
In the past, Mia attempted to cover up while feeding Ava, but found it difficult for the baby to latch on properly. Therefore, she decided to breastfeed without a cover, encouraging anyone uncomfortable to simply look away. It’s disheartening that mothers still face scrutiny over how and where they feed their babies, especially when it’s such a natural process. Each image shared, like Mia’s, plays a part in normalizing breastfeeding.
“I hesitated to share this photo that means so much to me. Society has turned breastfeeding into something sexualized,” Mia wrote on her Facebook. “Despite the occasional judgmental gaze, I feel more empowered than ever to meet my baby’s needs as nature intended. Forgetting my pump added new challenges, and I could feel my milk leaking while playing. Between periods, I would quickly change to feed my little one.”
“I’ve come to truly appreciate how amazing our bodies are,” Mia concluded. This experience marked a significant moment for her.
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Summary:
Mia Johnson, a 24-year-old hockey player and new mom, confidently breastfed her daughter, Ava, between periods of a game. Sharing her experience on social media, she aimed to challenge the stigma surrounding public breastfeeding and promote its normalization. Despite societal pressures, Mia feels empowered to embrace her role as a mother while pursuing her passions.
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