Queer Eye star Tan France recently opened up about the criticism he’s received for formula-feeding his infant son.
According to PEOPLE Magazine, the television personality previously teamed up with formula company Bobbie in August, which was Breastfeeding Awareness Month, to challenge stigma around feeding infants formula instead of breastfeeding.
At the time, Tan made an Instagram post in which he emphasized that it’s important to support “every kind of feeding journey,” noting that there are many parents who can’t or choose not to breastfeed and they shouldn’t be shamed for their decision.
"No one should ever feel guilty for feeding their baby formula. 'How is feeding going?' as opposed to 'How is Breast Feeding going.' A fed baby is what matters most," he wrote in the caption.
Now, the designer revealed he received a boatload of criticism over the Instagram post. Speaking about the subject on the We Are Family podcast, Tan said he got many online messages targeting him personally for not breastfeeding his infant son.
"There was absolutely a lot of hate. It didn't bother me, because there was also so much love between women,” Tan explained. He said he saw a lot of comments from parents who admitted feeling guilty for not being able to or not choosing to breastfeed.
The father-of-one went on to explain his decision to formula-feed his baby. Tan and his husband, Rob France, welcomed their first child, son Ismail, via surrogate in July.
Since their surrogate wouldn’t be able to pump breast milk for them, the couple looked into whether using donor milk would be a good option ahead of their baby’s arrival. Ultimately, they decided that formula feeding would better suit their family.
“We did a lot of research into donor milk, and for us, it just wasn't right for us," Tan explained.
Tan added, “I 100 percent believe that breastmilk is the gold standard,” and said that he would’ve loved to breastfeed his infant if physically able. But the new father emphasized that no one should be ashamed for not having that ability: "I can't. Therefore, I need to not be shamed for that."
Experts often recommend breastfeeding exclusively for the first six months of an infant’s life, if possible, as breast milk contains antibodies that help babies fight infections. It’s also been known to lower the risk of asthma and allergies, in addition to having other health benefits both for mom and baby.
However, there are a variety of reasons why some people aren’t able to breastfeed – they may have supply or latch issues, are physically incapable of breastfeeding, and/or nursing can take a toll on mental health. Formula is a reliable alternative to breastfeeding, and with many different types of the market, it’s possible to find one that suits your baby's needs.
Speak to your child’s doctor to discover if formula-feeding is right for your family, and what type is recommended. Remember, fed is best, whether by formula or breast.
Sources: PEOPLE Magazine, Entertainment Tonight,