Active Female Army Soldiers Breastfeed Babies In Powerful Group Shot To 'Normalise Breastfeeding'

Breastfeeding Soliders Pose For Group Photo To #NormaliseBreastfeeding

A group of ten active female soldiers have been photographed breastfeeding to show women can be amazing mothers and soldiers at the same time.

Tara Ruby, a photographer, mother and air force veteran from Texas, took the photo and reflected on what it was like being a mother when she was in the military.

Ruby said while she was serving, it was difficult to breastfeed, but now things are improving.

Sharing the photo on Facebook, Ruby wrote: "Today I believe we made history. To my knowledge a group photo to show support of active duty military mummies nursing their littles has never been done."

The photographer said she had the idea for the shoot after hearing the news that a room at Fort Bliss - an American army post - was being set aside for mums who breastfeed.

After getting the go ahead from base officials, she called upon army mums to participate - ten women showed up.

Ruby added: "I was active duty a long time ago when support for breastfeeding mums wasn't even an option or a consideration.

"We have come so far. Breastfeeding their babies doesn't make them less of a soldier, I believe it makes them a better one.

"Juggling the tasks and expectations of a soldier, plus providing for their own in the best way they possibly can, makes these ladies even stronger for it.

"I want to say thank you to everyone that saw my vision, and helped us in succeeding in making it come true. I am 100% for #normalisebreastfeeding."

Ruby said she hopes other military mums will see the photo and feel confident they can be mothers and soldiers.

She told BuzzFeed News: "The dedication needed for these mums to continue to not just breastfeed their babies but to pump during their work days, their training exercises and their schedules while still being amazing soldiers is extreme."

The photo was shared on Ruby's Facebook page and the Facebook group Breastfeeding in Combat Boots.

Both Facebook pages have claimed the initial photo they posted was removed.

Ruby stated: "I posted this on here last night at 11:59pm. It has since disappeared from my feed and my wall. So we are posting this here again."

A member from Breastfeeding in Combat Boots wrote: "This beautiful photo, taken by Tara Ruby Photography, has been removed from both her page and this one already today. I'm reposting it again to show the world that you can be in the military and successful at breastfeeding."

HuffPost UK Parents are awaiting comment from Facebook to verify whether the photos were removed.

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