'Breastfeeding is NOT indecent exposure' Mum hits back at man who 'humiliated' her in a restaurant

A mum's Instagram post has gone viral after sharing a story of being 'humiliated' whilst breastfeeding in a restaurant.

Kelly Stanley, 23, who runs the account kellymarie_yoga, was nursing her 9-month-old daughter Maya at the dinner table when one of her fellow diners grabbed a cloth napkin and attempted to cover her up.

'Apparently that is too "nice" of a restaurant to nurse a baby uncovered,' Kelly explains in the post, which has since had more than 6,000 likes. 'I wish I could say I was polite and respectful about the situation. Actually, I lied. I don't wish that. I went off on him and I'm glad I did.'

She adds that she found the gesture 'humiliating', writing: 'No woman should ever feel like she is being inappropriate or immodest by feeding her baby, anywhere, ever.'

'Breastfeeding is NOT indecent exposure. It's not inviting men to gawk at my breasts. EVEN IF GOD FORBID THE BABY UNLATCHES AND THEY SEE MY BARE NIPPLE.'

'No, I'd rather not pull my shirt down in a public place or a nice restaurant. I'd rather people NOT see my stretch marked breast or scratched nipples. But you know what? We can't sit here and tout that breast is best and then have a fit about how inappropriate it is to feed a baby in public.'

'Breastfeeding is a normal and natural thing, and if someone has a problem with me feeding my child whenever and wherever, that is THEIR problem. It should NEVER be the breastfeeding mom's problem,' she concludes.

Kelly quickly received hundreds of supportive comments about her experience.

'You are my inspiration!!! I still get nervous to nurse in public with my 7 month old. Love this so much 💕💕💕' one mother wrote, whilst another agreed, 'Way to go mama! You do what is best for your child!'

However, others debated her decision, saying that seeing her breastfeed at the table would have made them uncomfortable too.

'It seriously is not something everyone wants to see regardless. I'm a woman and I find it disgusting to watch a child nurse why I'm trying to eat. You are just as disrespectful as the ones you claim are disrespecting get you,' one such commenter posted.

What's your take - would you cover up when breastfeeding in public, or would you have reacted in the same way as Kelly? Let us know your thoughts in the comment box below!