Nicole Curtis, the 41-year-old HGTV star, isn't one to back down from a fight, especially when it comes to her parenting choices and her child's well-being. On Monday, April 2, she took to Instagram to address the online backlash she's been receiving over her decision to continue breastfeeding her nearly three-year-old son, Harper, amidst an ongoing and emotionally charged custody battle with the child's father. Nicole’s post was a powerful reminder of the importance of supporting mothers who face criticism and judgment in their parenting journey.
A Powerful Message to Moms
In her Instagram post, Nicole shared a throwback photo of herself in labor, captioning it with a heartfelt message. "I’m getting bashed on People.com for extended breastfeeding and accused of alienating a father… again," she began. "Mamas out there in similar situations, DON’T HIDE. It is one hundred percent natural to still nurse your child—your body was made for it." Nicole's words were not just a defense of her own choices but a rallying cry for all mothers who might be facing similar challenges.
Support Systems Are Key
Nicole went on to emphasize the importance of having a strong support system during pregnancy and motherhood. "And if you are going [through] a pregnancy or motherhood alone—LOAD UP on good people to support you," she advised. "I labored for 13+ hours and my best friend is pictured on the right rubbing my shoulders and my doula on the left." Nicole highlighted the absence of Harper's father during this pivotal moment, adding, "Note, no supportive, excited father and that’s okay, but any woman who goes through this moment alone and then gets accused of ‘alienating.’ May the Dear Lord grant you grace and patience." Her message was clear: mothers deserve empathy and understanding, not judgment.
Read also:Celebrity Chef Katie Lee Says I Do To Ryan Biegel In Paris
View this post on InstagramAmazing week speaking out for women supporting women. Ladies don't give into this hype that there's some "balance" to achieve between work and home -it's bs-no one ever asks a man how they find it 🙂 the answer is you don't and if someone says they found it ? They're lying 🙂 love your babies and go on with your badass self. Surround yourself with women that support NOT judge. (Oh, and practice being that kind, as well-and own it & retract when we aren't) I don't have too many regrets in life, but I wish I had trusted myself more and listened to others less.
Addressing the Critics
Nicole addressed the critics directly, pointing out the absurdity of some of the comments she's received. "And people actually state—pump your milk and put it in a sippy cup! What? What? What???" she exclaimed. "Yeah, hey it’s a natural body function—would you tell someone to wear a catheter? So whacked out." Nicole encouraged her followers to help normalize breastfeeding and support mothers in similar situations. "#NormalizeBreastfeeding #BabyLedWeaning," she added. Nicole also clarified that the backlash wasn't coming directly from People.com, though she wished the publication would highlight more positive stories about moms in these situations.
The Custody Battle Continues
Nicole's Instagram post comes just months after her ex, Shane Maguire, argued that their toddler "no longer needs to nurse" and sought more parenting time with Harper. According to The Blast, Shane filed Michigan court documents last fall requesting a change to the former couple’s custody arrangement. After Nicole and Shane split several years ago, they were granted joint visitation of their son. However, Nicole fought for full custody because Harper was still being "exclusively breastfed." She explained to People, "You would think that something so natural was just an automatic right to the baby and to the mother. I don’t think courts understand basic scientific logistics of breastfeeding—they see it as, just give the baby a bottle." Nicole recently opened up about her decision to continue breastfeeding Harper, emphasizing that it’s not about the child's age but rather his readiness to wean.
The Emotional Toll of the Journey
Nicole shared the challenges she faced in her breastfeeding journey, particularly when it came to producing enough milk for Harper during his time with his dad. "I had to pay an outside licensed lactation specialist to witness me pump without results," she revealed. "I sat in my living room with my shirt off, hooked up in front of a stranger to document that my body did not produce enough." Despite these difficulties, Nicole was granted access to see Harper during Shane’s visitations to breastfeed her son. She expressed her frustration with the court's assumptions about breastfeeding, saying, "The court just assumes I’m a refrigerator full of milk, and that’s not how the human body works. This has been the scariest part of my journey."
Read also:The Return Of Cagney Amp Lacey Sharon Gless Reflects On The Iconic Show And Its Legacy
View this post on InstagramThe woman who took this pic warned me she really didn't know how to—um, this is the most ripped I've ever looked. Very sad I didn't exchange info and hire her to shoot my promo pics 😂celebrating the rescue of our kite off the roof behind us (the kind manager climbed up and got it) baby yogurt cone (cause candy sprinkles on a twist are only for mommies😌) and happy to hang with our papa who reminded me that we don't have many years left ….now you know why I needed the ice cream. Love your old people, people ;)#oldhousesoldpeopleolddogs #nicolecurtis #rehabaddict
A Fighter at Heart
Nicole concluded by reiterating her stance as a fighter for what she believes is right. "If something’s not right, I’m the first person to stand up," she said. "And I don’t believe that my child should have to wean because of our situation." Nicole's determination to protect her child's well-being and her advocacy for mothers everywhere is a testament to her strength and resilience. Her story serves as a powerful reminder that every mother deserves the right to make choices that are best for her and her child, free from unnecessary judgment and criticism.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(786x0:788x2)/nicole-curtis-son-e4c0ce01652b4f43b1fabd643bcd95b5.jpg)
