Halsey welcomed her first child in July, but because they’re still breastfeeding, the singer has had to miss out on several important social engagements, including the 2021 Met Gala.
The new mother turned to Twitter to explain her absence from the fashion-forward event, whose theme was Americana this year. “I only had my baby 7 weeks ago,” Halsey wrote. “There’s nothing more ‘American fashion’ than moms having to go back to work after just giving birth.”
“Idk I got leaky, hurty boobs, a swollen uterus, and a human being that depends on me as a life force,” they wrote.
Halsey said that while they could’ve chosen to pump before and during the even, they worried it would be “insanely painful” and not worth it. The musician also acknowledged how “incredible privileged” they are to take time off of work, noting that many American mothers don’t have the same luxury.
The singer ended their explanation by clarifying that they’re not trying to complain. Rather, Halsey’s hope is to challenge the societal expectation that new parents need to be back to normal immediately after having a baby. “Postpartum does not discriminate,” she added.
Taking to Instagram in late July, Halsey announced the birth of their baby, Ender Ridley Aydin. This is the singer’s first child with boyfriend, screenwriter Alev Aydin. Halsey posted a series of black-and-white images of themself, Alev, and their newborn in the hospital.
The “Without Me” singer, who changed their pronouns to she/they earlier this year, originally announced their pregnancy in January. They posted a series of maternity photos featuring themselves in a rainbow, crochet bra and baggy jeans, putting their baby bump on full display.
Prior to getting pregnant, Halsey had been open about their difficult fertility journey. The singer has disclosed they’ve been diagnosed with endometriosis, a painful disorder that causes a myriad of side effects, including difficulty getting pregnant. Halsey has also revealed they suffered several miscarriages in the past.
While expecting, the singer defended themselves against criticism several times. In March, for instance, Halsey took to social media to confirm their pregnancy was very much planned. She slammed the public for speculating about another person’s fertility and conception.
"My pregnancy was 100% planned, and I tried very hard for this bb,” the musician wrote on their Instagram Story. “I would be just as happy even if it were another way.”
More recently, Halsey claimed they weren’t treated seriously while pregnant. During an interview with Zane Lowe for New Music Daily on Apple Music 1, Halsey said people treated them like a “teen mom,” as they received many inquiries about whether she was an appropriate age and financially stable enough to have a child.
Sources: Twitter @halsey, PEOPLE Magazine,