Breast-Feeding Bride Speaks Out Against Critics
"I had never felt judged or anything before now when it came to breastfeeding."
— -- When mom of two Christina Torino-Benton's 6-month-old daughter Gemma wouldn't stop fussing, she just did what she would normally do.
She breast-fed her.
Never mind that Torino-Benton was in the middle of her wedding ceremony to childhood crush Danny Benton, and no matter that she was as dressed up and glammed up as a bride could be.
"It wasn't even a thought that crossed my mind to not feed her," Torino-Benton told ABC News. "It's always my reaction when she gets upset. It was the only thing to do. That's what she wanted. So I complied. I always do. It was so natural and instinctive. When I looked at Danny to let him know that's what was happening, it was more of a giggle between him and I, rather than a discussion. He is just as on board as I am when it comes to caring for our baby."
She posted to popular Facebook page Breastfeeding Mama Talk. From there, it took on a life of its own.
"I have shared a few breast-feeding bride photos in the past," the page's founder, Kristy Kemp, told ABC News, "but what made this one different is it was during the actual ceremony. I think it shows a mom willing to put her child ahead of her even on a day where it's generally supposed to be all about her."
Because baby Gemma was crying, Torino-Benton said, "I was in no way able to concentrate on my wedding because I never ever let her cry. So I just turned to my mom and asked her to give her to me. I was able to discreetly pull down one side of my gown and feed her. And she fell asleep within five minutes."
No one reacted, she said.
"I'm pretty certain nobody even knew what was going on. It was only after the fact that they had asked me if I breast-fed her during the ceremony. And when I answered yes, everyone said 'awesome!' Or something similar. Our family is very supportive, always."
And though most of the public has been supportive too, there have been critics.
"I had never felt judged or anything before now when it came to breast-feeding," Torino-Benton said. "I've heard of people coming down on breast-feeding women, and I thought that was just so horrible, but now that I've experienced it firsthand, and widely, from people all around the world, I now truly know what an issue this is.
"I hope that my photo, along with the photos it has helped inspired to come forward, really changes the views some people may have. Or at least let the women who still feed in the bathroom stalls know that it's OK, you can come out. We're all just feeding our babies."
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