Holly Willoughby has fought a fierce debate with a guest on This Morning who suggested that breastfeeding women should aim to be more discreet in public.
The conversation was sparked by a now-deleted Facebook post on a community page in Bristol, which recalled the commenter's experience witnessing a mother feeding her baby while drinking wine in a pub.
'When is it acceptable to take a five week old baby to one of the busiest pubs in North Street... then have two glasses of wine... and then think it appropriate to flop a breast out in the middle of a very busy pub and so say feed it (unfortunately I really don't think there would be much milk it would be receiving...more like 14% Pinot Grigio),' the user in question wrote.
After the post went viral, This Morning opened up the debate with two guests, mum-of-one Nilufer Atik and mummy blogger Natalie Brown - and Holly wasn't shy about disagreeing with the viewpoint of the former.
Nilufer Atik (left) and Natalie Brown debate the appropriateness of breastfeeding in a pub
'It's a beautiful and natural thing but they don't always cover up. It can sometimes be a shock. He didn't feel it was appropriate visibly,' Nilufer said.
'I just think the pub is not an appropriate place. I'm not against breastfeeding in public, but some people are uncomfortable with it.
'I wouldn't get my breast out, people think it's different if you're breastfeeding but it's the same.'
However, Holly quickly responded: 'It is different. You're feeding a child!'
'If you were to stand in the pub with your breasts out that is weird but she was breastfeeding her child,' she continued. 'And, breastfeeding is not that easy… It's really difficult. Some babies, if you cover them up, they can't feed.'
Co-host Phillip Schofield chimed in, saying: 'It's not that difficult to avert your eyes. Sheldon should grow up, they're only boobs', whilst Natalie added: 'Breastfeeding is a totally normal thing and it's wrong to say women are made to feel they're doing something not normal.'
The discussion also prompted a huge response on social media, with one person tweeting: 'Genuinely, the debate on #ThisMorning is making me want to go to the pub *to* breastfeed.'
'I don't have kids and I don't think it's inappropriate to breastfeed in a pub, surely its only natural? Get in the 21st century #ThisMorning' another agreed.
What do you think - should new mums breastfeed in the pub? Let us know your thoughts in the comment box below!
