Kourtney Kardashian Under Fire for Controversial Boat Photo with Son Rocky
UPDATE 8/9/25 5:15 p.m. ET — Kourtney Kardashian has addressed the backlash over a photo of her son Rocky without a life vest during a boat trip.
“Update: I purchased a life vest that fits! Thanks for bringing this to my attention,” she shared on her Instagram Stories on August 9, along with an image of a child-sized life jacket from the Stohlquist brand’s website. “Honestly, I didn’t consider some of the risks. I appreciate you making me aware and hope this information helps other moms recognize the dangers of boating without a life vest.”
Original story continues below:
Kourtney Kardashian’s recent breast-feeding photo of her 20-month-old son, Rocky Thirteen, has ignited controversy.
“Food for the soul ✨,” Kardashian, 46, captioned an Instagram carousel on August 8.
In the first image, The Kardashians star is seen breast-feeding Rocky while seated on a speedboat in the water. (Kardashian welcomed Rocky with husband Travis Barker in November 2023.)
Many social media users took to the comments, questioning why neither she nor Rocky was wearing life jackets.
“Please, please put a life jacket on that sweet babe,” one Instagram user commented, while another added, “What no life vests? Isn’t that against the law???”
A third commenter stated, “I think life vests should be on anyone under 18 while boating. I know Idaho is pretty lenient with laws, but if that lake were a few miles west in [Washington], it would be the law for a good reason. Let’s make fun and safe water activities the standard.”
Another image in Kardashian’s series suggested that her family may have been visiting Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, where all minors are required to wear life vests on the water.
“Children aged 14 and under must wear an approved life jacket when aboard a boat that is 19 feet long or less whenever the boat is underway or under power,” according to a statement on the Parks and Recreation department website. “This safety requirement applies to manually propelled boats such as canoes and rafts, as well as powerboats, sailboats, personal watercraft (jet skis), and fishing float tubes.”
Kardashian has yet to publicly address the criticism. Us Weekly has reached out for comment.
However, the Poosh founder did take to her Instagram Stories on Friday to discuss the breast-feeding aspect of the photo.
“World Breast-feeding Week! 21 months and going strong,” Kardashian wrote on her Instagram Stories. “I told my baby we would breast-feed while he was in my tummy every day after doctors said he probably wouldn’t be able to do it.”
She added, “I prayed for it, and I believed in it. I feel blessed and grateful for this beautiful life and experience we share together.”
Rocky is Kardashian’s fourth child. She also has sons Mason, 15, and Reign, 10, as well as daughter Penelope, 12, with ex Scott Disick. Barker, 49, is also a father to children from a previous relationship, co-parenting Landon, 21, and Alabama, 19, with ex-wife Shanna Moakler, and serving as a father figure to Moakler’s 26-year-old daughter Atiana.
