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Senator Becomes 1st Woman In Australian Parliament To Breastfeed In Her Seat: Pic

Senator Breastfeeds
Associated Press
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Celebrity Baby Editor

SO inspiring! Empowering moms everywhere, Aussie woman Larissa Waters, who also happens to be a member of parliament, casually breastfed her newborn daughter during a vote, becoming the 1st woman to ever do so! For Larissa, it’s all about proving to women that you really CAN do it all.

Australian politician Larissa Waters, 40, made history on May 9 when she became the first person to breastfeed in her country’s Parliament. How cool is that? The new mom had just returned from a 10-week-long maternity leave, and went to work as usual — but this time with her newborn daughter Alia Joy. “So proud that my daughter Alia is the first baby to be breastfed in the federal Parliament! We need more #women & parents in Parli #auspol,” Larisa tweeted.

By doing so, the dedicated mother proved that she not only can talk the talk, but she walks the walk as well! After all, Larissa was instrumental in passing a rule just last year that allowed for parliament members to breastfeed in the senate chambers, according to The Courier Mail. While announcing her daughter’s birth on March 7, the parliamentarian even hinted at the possibility she would breastfeed in Parliament upon her return.

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“I’ll be having a few more weeks off but will soon be back in parliament with this little one in tow,” Larissa wrote in a Facebook post. “She is even more inspiration for continuing our work to address gender inequality and stem dangerous climate change. (And yes, if she’s hungry, she will be breastfed in the Senate chamber).” Even still though, Larissa was surprised her actions received so much attention.

“Well I think it’s slightly ridiculous that feeding one’s baby is international news — women have been breastfeeding for as long as time immemorial,” Larissa told the BBC. “But in another sense, this is the first time this has happened in our Parliament in 116 years, so it’s definitely world history-making.” The politician continued, “I had hoped to not only feed my baby, but also to send a message to young women that they belong in the Parliament, and that they can be both Parliamentarians and be moms.”

Apparently, Larissa’s message is being received loud and clear! “Lots of women thanking me for doing it, not just for normalizing breastfeeding, which is itself an important issue, but there’s still a little bit of stigma in some corners of society,” she said. “But it’s been lovely to hear from the young women and the other moms who’ve said, this is a role model for my daughter or for myself, to know that we can aspire to this sort of occupation.” Amazing!

Tell us, HollywoodLifers — are you inspired by what Larissa did? Do you think it’s important for girls and young women to see this photo?