Claire Rothstein, the founder and editor of the magazine who also photographed McAdams, said in an Instagram post that although they’re still in disagreement over whose idea it was, the message they wanted to send was clear — breastfeeding is normal, natural and amazing.
Rothstein uploaded the glamour shot to her personal Instagram page sharing that the new mom was six months postpartum when they were doing the shoot and was pumping in between shots.
“Breastfeeding is the most normal thing in the world and I can’t for the life of me imagine why or how it is ever frowned upon or scared of,” wrote Rothstein. “I don’t even think it needs explaining but just wanted to put this out there, as if it even changes one person’s perception of something so natural, so normal, so amazing then that’s great.”
While Rachel is pretty private about her personal life, Claire said the star was very open about needing to breastfeed during the photoshoot.
“Breastfeeding is the most normal thing in the world, like breathing and I can’t for the life of me imagine why or how it is ever frowned upon or scared of,” Claire continued on Instagram. “I don’t even think it needs explaining but just wanted to put this out there, as if it even changes one person’s perception of something so natural, so normal, so amazing then that’s great.”
People on social media are understandably praising both the photo and the actress for shattering stigma. “Rachel McAdams is killing the game,” one enthusiast tweeted. “This photo of Rachel McAdams breastfeeding while wearing Versace and dripped in Bulgari diamonds is proof that yes, actually, women really can have it all,” wrote another.
this photo of rachel mcadams breast feeding while wearing versace and dripped in bulgari diamonds is proof that yes, actually, women really can have it all pic.twitter.com/zLbMvHVm7i
— Shira Tarlo (@shiratarlo) December 19, 2018
Rachel McAdams for cover of
Girls. Girls. Girls., in one of the most badass magazine covers ever. All hail the kween 👑 pic.twitter.com/rhhhCIXTRc— YellowGlassDragon (@karishmau) December 19, 2018
This Rachel McAdams pumping photo warmed my heart. pic.twitter.com/fJ4WmkTreJ
— Lorena O'Neil (@lorenaoneil) December 19, 2018
Rachel is clearly embracing the new territory that comes with being a mom. “It’s the greatest thing that’s ever happened to me, hands down,” McAdams said of motherhood, in an interview. “[People say] your life is not your own anymore, but I had 39 years of me, I was sick of me, I was so happy to put the focus on some other person.”
So yeah, kudos to Rachel and Claire for working to normalize breast pumping (and breastfeeding in general). And, while this is clearly a very extra way to do so (again, Rachel’s rocking Versace), Claire also admitted that not everyone can look like Rachel while pumping. “Side note: I did not look anywhere near as fabulous as this when feeding/pumping,” Claire wrote. “And that’s okay too.”