Supermodel, body positivity advocate, and mom of three, Ashley Graham has always kept it real when it comes to motherhood — and this time, she’s opening up about a deeply personal decision that many moms grapple with: why she stopped breastfeeding her 5-month-old twins.
In a recent interview and series of candid social media posts, Ashley shared the emotional and physical challenges that led her to stop breastfeeding her sons, Malachi and Roman, who were born in early 2022. Her honesty is striking a chord with mothers everywhere who’ve felt the pressure to conform to an idealized version of motherhood.
“I tried. I really, really tried,” Ashley confessed. “But my body, my mind, and my babies were telling me something different.” 🫶
The Breastfeeding Pressure is Real 😰🍼
Ashley described the immense pressure she felt to breastfeed — not just from outside sources, but from herself. “With my firstborn, I breastfed for 13 months,” she said. “So when I had the twins, I thought I would do the same.”
But twin feeding was a whole new world. “It was nonstop. Literally, every time I finished feeding one, the other would start crying. I was either hooked up to a pump or had a baby on each breast.” She compared it to a full-time job with no breaks, no sleep, and no end in sight.
“I felt like a milk machine. Not a person. Not a woman. Just… a provider.” 🥺💔
Her Mental and Physical Health Came First 💆♀️❤️
Beyond the sheer exhaustion, Ashley opened up about how the relentless demands of breastfeeding started to affect her mental health.
“I was losing myself,” she said. “I was anxious, overwhelmed, and not bonding with my babies the way I wanted to. I started to dread feedings — and that’s when I knew something had to change.”
Her husband, filmmaker Justin Ervin, encouraged her to listen to her instincts and reminded her that her well-being mattered just as much as her babies’. Ashley said it took time to shed the guilt, but making the switch to formula was ultimately empowering.
“Fed is best. Full stop. Whether it’s breastmilk or formula, love is what nourishes them most.” 💯🍼💖
Normalizing Every Mom’s Journey 👏🤱🏽
Ashley emphasized that this wasn’t an easy decision — but it was the right one for her. And that’s a message she wants to drive home to her fans and followers: every mom’s breastfeeding journey looks different, and no mother should be shamed for doing what’s best for her and her family.
“I want women to stop feeling like failures if breastfeeding doesn’t work out. Your worth as a mom isn’t measured in ounces.” 🧡💪
In true Ashley style, she’s using her platform to spark honest conversations and break taboos — especially around topics that are often shrouded in shame or silence. Her openness is helping women everywhere breathe a little easier and trust their own journeys.
The Takeaway: Empowerment Over Perfection 🌈👩🍼✨
Ashley Graham’s story is a reminder that motherhood isn’t one-size-fits-all. Whether you’re breastfeeding, bottle-feeding, combo-feeding, or doing something else entirely — it’s your choice, and it deserves respect.
For Ashley, choosing to stop breastfeeding was an act of self-care, not selfishness — and her twins are thriving. That’s what matters most. 💖
“We’re all just doing the best we can. Let’s support each other — not judge each other.” 🙌💕