'Brelfies' shared to celebrate breastfeeding at exhibition

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Breastfeeding exhibitionImage source, DMU
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Ms Telling said she got the idea for the exhibition after seeing a magazine cover abroad

Hundreds of women have shared their own "brelfies", or breastfeeding selfies, for an art exhibition.

The "brelfies" feature in the exhibition, which aims to celebrate breastfeeding, at De Montfort University in Leicester.

Midwifery student Rebecca Telling organised the display after being inspired by an image of a woman breastfeeding on a magazine cover.

The showcase also include contributions from students and worldwide artists.

Image source, DMU
Image caption,

The display at De Montfort University includes photos, paintings and sculptures

Image source, DMU
Image caption,

Hundreds of women have shared photos of themselves for a "brelfie wall" at the showcase

Ms Telling, 21, who is in her third year, said during her research she discovered a whole movement for breastfeeding art.

"I didn't know it was a thing but there were a lot of photos and paintings out there," she said.

"And as more and more of this art appears, it gets out into the world.

"Just within the last couple of months, there are more people talking about it."

Image source, DMU
Image caption,

The midwifery student said she would love the exhibition to go beyond Leicester

Image source, DMU
Image caption,

Ms Telling said people needed to have more conversations about breastfeeding

Ms Telling said she hopes the exhibition helps more people to talk openly about breastfeeding.

"We wanted breastfeeding to be celebrated in lots of different ways," Ms Telling added.

"I would love to see the stuff we have done go beyond the exhibit and inspire people.

"I hope it will make Leicester more breastfeeding-friendly and aware, and I would love to see people that haven't necessarily been involved in breastfeeding being inspired by it, and realise that actually it does affect all of us far beyond mum and baby."

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