Jamie Otis from MAFS Responds Strongly to Breastfeeding Critics
Jamie Otis is perplexed by the growing “sensitivities” surrounding breastfeeding.
“The number of individuals who get offended by a breastfeeding mother will always surprise me,” the Married at First Sight alum, 38, shared on Instagram on Friday, May 23, alongside a video of her pumping (using a hands-free breast pump) in her vehicle. “A woman FEEDING her baby — in whatever way — deserves support. No questions asked.”
Otis has four children with her husband, Doug Hehner, including 8-month-old twin boys — Hawkins Tyler and Huxley James — whom she is currently combo-feeding. (Their family also includes daughter Henley, 7, and son Hendrix, 5.)
“Breastfeeding is the most natural and basic means to nurture your infant, yet I can guarantee I’ll receive comments about how inappropriate it is to pump my breast milk in the car line or nurse my twin babies in public,” she continued. “Honestly, the reason society reacts so strongly to women breastfeeding in public is because they simply don’t see it enough. A century ago, there wouldn’t have been any issue because that was the only way to nourish a baby.”
Otis noted that the increased prevalence of formula has influenced contemporary views on breastfeeding, even though it is “the most natural thing a woman’s body is designed to do.”
“And just to clarify, I breastfeed AND supplement with formula, so this isn’t a critique on formula. I’m incredibly grateful for it! I nurse my twin babies when I have breast milk and prepare formula when I run low — wherever I may be. Yet, I often feel a bit shy about nursing in public due to society’s judgment,” she expressed. “However, I believe that normalizing breastfeeding in public is crucial to changing the stigma surrounding it. So here I am, sharing publicly on my social media to help desensitize the most primal, natural way a mom can nourish her baby.”
She concluded: “I know some will challenge me, but I wholeheartedly believe that a mom should be able to feed her baby anywhere and any way — without facing judgment or shame. … So I’ll accept the backlash to help society recognize breastfeeding for what it truly is — nurturing and feeding our babies.”
Otis received encouragement from fellow parents in the comments section of her video post, titled, “Pumping my breastmilk in car line pick up… nothing to see here.”
“Amen! You’re doing an amazing job, Mama!!,” one commenter expressed, with another replying, “Lol. I use a cover but I breastfeed anywhere and everywhere.”
Otis met Hehner, 41, during season 1 of MAFS in 2014 after being a contestant on season 16 of The Bachelor in 2012. She has openly discussed her challenging journey to motherhood, sharing experiences of multiple miscarriages and the loss of their first child, Johnathan Edward, at 17 weeks in 2016.
“As a labor and delivery nurse, I’ve envisioned the day I would hold my baby more than I ever imagined getting married or anything like that,” Otis stated in a 2019 episode of their former podcast “Hot Marriage Cool Parents.” “Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would end up delivering a 17-week-old baby who would immediately go to heaven. He was perfectly formed — all 10 fingers, all 10 toes, a little button nose. A perfectly formed baby who couldn’t cry or communicate with us, leaving us unable to protect him.”
The couple has now been married for 11 years, with Otis expressing on Instagram on Saturday, May 24, “There’s absolutely no one I would rather live this life with. I love you, @doughehner! Thank you for always being so loving, kind, and PATIENT with me.”
