While the movement to normalize breastfeeding endured more than its share of trolls this year, there are some superstars out there who made us stand up and cheer.Â
Here are the 15 best breastfeeding stories of 2015, and here's to a 2016 free of eye-rollingly ignorant breastfeeding objections.Â
Image via Ivette Ivens Photography
Packing Our Bags
Discrimination rages against women who nurse their children in public in Sao Paulo, Brazil. But city officials fired back this year with a bill that fines any organization that attempts to stop a woman from breastfeeding, to the tune of $150.
Put'em Away! Not.
In her hilarious satirical video, â4 Reasons Women Should NEVER Breastfeed in Public,â Kristina Kuzmic employed humor to take down the common arguments people use to tear down moms who breastfeed their hungry kids in public. Itâs funny because, ladiesâunless theyâre dairy-free. Then show them off.â
Committed
Twenty-one years ago, Phyllis Omidoâs son fell ill after nursing at her breast. Once she realized that pollution from a local factory was poisoning mothers and children in her Kenyan community, she founded the Center for Justice Governance & Environmental Action. And this year, she won Goldmanâs Environmental Prize for her activism.
It's About Time
As of September, a new law requires the State of Texas to provide all public employees with âreasonable accommodationsâ for pumping at work, from breaks to private spaces.
More from The Stir:Â 16 Times Breastfeeding Moms Were Shamed in 2015 (PHOTOS)
Fists Up!
In September, actress and breastfeeding advocate Alyssa Milano made it clear that she cares not at all about what trolls say about her posting pictures of feeding time online: âIâm going to keep breastfeeding, maybe even until [Elizabella is] 6!â
Ethereal Mamas
Photographer Ivette Ivens imagined breastfeeding moms as goddesses, and the result was breathtaking.
Bullseye
Photos of Targetâs breastfeeding policy made the Internet rounds, making it clear that moms are welcome to nurse anywhere in the store, and telling associates how to respectfully interact with them.
Cover Star
Elle Australia devoted the subscriber edition of its June cover to a photo of model Nicole Trufino nursing her son, Zion. Not only did the magazine welcome the child on at the cover shoot, but they also thought the image was worth sharing with the world.
More from The Stir: 16 Moments From 2015 That Restored Our Faith in Humanity (PHOTOS)
Literally
When a business posted a sign telling moms to cover up when nursing, Breastfeeding Mama Talk did just that — to hilarious effect. The campaign quick caught fire, as moms began posting their own covered-up pictures with the hashtag #ThisIsHowWeCoverBFMT.
No Shame Here
Anyone who has gotten the question âYouâre still breastfeeding?!â knows how annoying it can be to have people judge the way you choose to nourish your child. Photographer Natalie McCainâs photo series âWe Are Not Still Nursing, We Are Just Nursingâ goes a long way to illustrate the beauty of families who nurse beyond 12 months.
Family Matters
Magazines continue to make inroads in this area. In its March issue cover feature, Vogue Netherlands used an image of model Doutzen Kroes breastfeeding her baby while her partner snuggled with their son.
All Together Now
After a mom posted on Facebook about being forced out of a Marshalls fitting room and told to nurse in a bathroom stall, a group of 20 local moms gathered at the store for a nurse-in.
More from The Stir: 10 Best States for Breastfeeeding Moms (PHOTOS)
Like a Boss
A photo of Argentine National Congress member breastfeeding while making laws circulated on the Internet, giving the world an honest view of how some mothers balance it all.
Under the Radar
In August, Illinois passed a law that requires Chicagoâs airports to provide lactation rooms for passengers. And there is pending federal legislation that would require all medium and large airports to follow in their footsteps. Here's to easier travel!
Change of Heart
When a Florida woman was thrown out of a restaurant for breastfeeding her child, she posted about the incident online. What happened next was not typical: The owner apologized, vowed to make his restaurant breastfeeding-friendly, and even retrained his staff.
