A photo of a mom breastfeeding her baby on a Disney World ride has sparked a heated online debate about whether or not it was appropriate. The incident occurred on the Frozen Ever After ride at Epcot in Orlando, Florida, where mom Meredith Barnayak decided to breastfeed her one-year-old daughter, Poppy.
Barnayak, who was visiting the park with her family, including her husband, three-year-old son, and her mother and stepfather, said she didn’t think twice about feeding her baby on the ride. “She would just pull on my shirt and I thought, ‘OK, it’s dark out. We’re all humans. We’re all honestly going to enjoy the ride a lot better and you’ll be happier being fed,’” Barnayak told Today.
The photo of Barnayak breastfeeding on the ride was captured on the amusement park’s camera and soon circulated the internet, making Barnayak the center of a heated online discussion. However, the mom defended her actions, stating that she is a strong supporter of breastfeeding and believes that mothers should be able to feed their babies wherever and whenever they need to.
“In any way you can feed your baby, you should be able to do it- in any place,” she stated.
Barnayak also mentioned that she didn’t realize the ride camera had gone off until she saw the flash and worried that other riders would see her breastfeeding. She sent the photo to her family and her cousin, Jo Goddard, who runs the women’s lifestyle website, Cup of Jo, asked if she could post it on their Instagram page.
Some people are attacking, others defending this mom for breastfeeding her baby on Disney ride #frozen ride no seatbelts needed https://t.co/xiewXHoFPu
— Suzie S (@suziesuchi) November 17, 2023
However, the photo received mixed responses, with some applauding Barnayak for being a “supermom” and taking care of her baby in all circumstances, while others criticized her for seeking attention and putting her baby in danger. Some commenters even questioned the safety of breastfeeding on a ride.
Barnayak clarified that the Frozen Ever After ride is a boat ride without seat belts and is relatively peaceful, except for a sudden drop towards the end. She also added that the infamous photo was taken during the drop and not during any intense moment of the ride.
Despite the backlash, many came to Barnayak’s defense, praising her for normalizing breastfeeding and standing up against the stigma surrounding it. Some even called her a hero for taking care of her baby’s needs, regardless of where she was.
In conclusion, the incident has sparked a larger conversation about breastfeeding in public and the societal pressure on mothers to hide their feeding in public. However, it is moms like Barnayak, who boldly stand up for their right to breastfeed, that are slowly breaking down these barriers and normalizing a natural and essential act of motherhood.
