Gemma Atkinson defends decision to stop breastfeeding five-week-old son Thiago

Gemma Atkinson has defended her decision to stop breastfeeding her son after five weeks.

There is no rule book for this whole parents malarkey, unless you are the woman who provided a rule book for those coming to see her newborn for the first time, of course.

But in all fairness, there is no right or wrong way of doing things, though that doesn't stop people from having an opinion on how certain new parents should do things.

The former Hollyoaks star recently revealed that she has stopped breastfeeding her five-week-old son Thiago, admitting that ditching breastfeeding is 'easier' and 'less stressful' for her.

Atkinson welcomed Thiago in July which is her second child with Strictly professional dancer Gorka Márquez, after giving birth to daughter Mia in 2019.

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After posting a video of herself feeding Thiago from a bottle on Instagram, one of Atkinson's followers asked: "Why did you stop breastfeeding? When you had lots of milk? Just asking, no judgement."

Explaining her decision, she said: "Asked this a lot too which I get . I personally only wanted to do 5wks BF.

"That's what I did with Mia so I set myself that target. I was fortunate enough to be able to express a lot so he ended up having about 6wks."

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Atkinson continued: "My choice to stop was because it was exhausting on my own.

"My boobs & back were quite sore and knowing I had school coming up for Mia and knowing Gorka would be away in London I knew it would be easier & less stressful on the bottle and I've always said that's how feeding should be.

"I enjoyed feeding them both and having the 5 wks with them both, but I'm enjoying this time too. Esp the bit where I know there's other ppl can step in and feed him."

The mum-of-two concluded: "I know there’s a lot of judgment on mothers who bottle feed. There shouldn't be, but there is.

"My thoughts are 'fed is best' and as long as the mum and baby are happy, that's what matters."

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Atkinson announced her happy baby news in an Instagram post in July.

She wrote: "Little man is here! He arrived safe and sound and he's utterly wonderful..."

The actor-turned-radio host continued, noting that her daughter Mia had already met her young brother.

Atkinson joked: "Mia is already the mother hen we expected her to be."

She went on to reveal that the family are now enjoying some well-earned rest, after welcoming the bouncing baby boy, saying: "We're all home together soaking up this lovely little bubble before Gorks has to leave for Strictly rehearsals next week."

Atkinson concluded by thanking fans for their well wishes, adding that her family was 'now complete'.