Shropshire mother's breastfeeding photo removed from Facebook- and 'goes viral'

Emma Bond's picture of herself feeding newborn daughter Carene was removed by Facebook moderators after an anonymous person reported it.

Ms Bond later uploaded it to a pro-breastfeeding group – where it attracted 166,000 "likes" and 22,000 "shares".

"The picture represents more than just me breastfeeding my newborn baby," said Ms Bond, from Oswestry.

"Carene is very poorly and we fought very hard to get to this point. We were actually told we wouldn't get this chance with her.

"So it was a very special moment I wanted to share with my friends and family.

"I was upset when it was reported. It is something very natural and special and should be promoted."

Miss Bond said she had received hundreds of encouraging messages from supporters around the world.

She said: "You can clearly see that Carene isn't a perfectly healthy baby in the image as well, so it is upsetting.

"I have complained to Facebook but on the positive side I have received hundreds of encouraging messages from women around the world – some of whom are from Australia, America – it really did go viral.

"I have even had young girls telling me that I have encouraged them to give breast feeding a go.

"Yes it has been removed and I think that is out of order but it has had a positive impact. It is a shame breastfeeding is still frowned upon."

Sarah Crown, editor of parenting website Mumsnet, said she was "not surprised" someone had complained about the original post.

"We have a problem with photos of women breastfeeding on Facebook because they involve breasts," she said.

Ms Crown likened it to posting a photo of any other "incredibly personal, intensely intimate moment", such as a baby sleeping.

• Facebook has since republished the photo and decided that photos that show nursing mothers' will be allowed.