There has been strong reaction after Newstalk presenter Dil Wickremasinghe appeared on the panel of TV3's 'Midday' show - and breastfed her son Phoenix live on air.
Dil was there to discuss attachment parenting with the panellists Tina Koumarianos, Sonia Harris and Terry Prone.
Dil breastfed her new-born baby as she joined 'Midday' host Elaine Crowley, and panellists Tina Koumarianos, Sonia Harris and Terry Prone.
As they discussed attachment parenting, Crowley pointed out that Dil was discreetly breastfeeding live on air, which led to a massive reaction from viewers.
@DilW @TV3Ireland @tv3midday disgraceful all time low for tv3. #timeandplace
— deirdre c (@61deirdre) August 6, 2015
Speaking about the show, Crowley explained that it was a very conscious decision to include this on the show.
"I think mothers should be free to choose how, where and when to feed their babies without judgement or condemnation. If I didn't point it out, there is no way anyone would have known little Phoenix was having his lunch live on air".
"All mothers should be supported no matter what they want to do, and if you're lucky enough to be able to take your baby to work and he happens to be hungry, well what are you gonna do".
Quite a reaction to @DilW breastfeeding on @tv3midday ! What a gorgeous little family with Annemarie and Phoenix xx pic.twitter.com/iJyAsZkaaB
— Elaine Crowley (@ElaineCrowley) August 6, 2015
Dil (far left) with baby Phoenix | Image: TV3
TV3 says it received both positive and negative responses to the show.
One viewer texted in and said: "Great to see breastfeeding on the show - it's not promoted positively enough in this country, well done! - Donna."
While another said: "Thank you Dil for: 1) breastfeeding on TV and 2) explaining attachment parenting with such easy matter of fact-ness. It was the best description of attachment parenting I have ever heard."
A caller, Karen, said that it has turned her off watching the show.
"No need for Dil to be breastfeeding on TV. I won’t be watching the show again when she’s on it. She’s a self-promoting gobs!*te. Has she ever heard of a breast pump?".
While another viewer texted in to applaud the balanced nature of the show.
"I did not breastfeed my baby and he is fantastic, very strong and very smart...He is 7 years old now and last year in school he had to do English and Maths from second class...Bottle feeding makes no difference. My son is very strong tall and smart and very well balanced and I decided to bottle feed him because breastfeeding kind of disgusted me...Thanks for not talking down bottle feeding mother's Elaine, we do our very best too."
And Dil's reaction to all this?
So I breastfed on telly today & got quite a reaction. Good to know my 41 year old boobs still got it! 😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/MJaBGPhNo3
— Dil Wickremasinghe (@DilW) August 6, 2015
