Tia Mowry Recalls Breastfeeding Struggles In Honor Of National Breastfeeding Awareness Month

Tia Mowry inspires mothers as she gets candid about her breastfeeding challenges. 

For those unaware, the 45-year-old German-born actress is a mom of two kids — Cree and Cairo from her ended marriage to Cory Hardrict. As August marks National Breastfeeding Awareness Month, aimed at supporting and empowering breastfeeding mothers, Mowry is showing support with her personal stories! 

The “Sister, Sister” actress rang in National Breastfeeding Awareness Month, recalling her days as a nursing mom. On her Instagram, she uploaded several throwback pictures capturing different times of her lactating experience. 

In the first image on the carousel, the mom of two was seen breastfeeding her daughter Cairo, who appeared to be immersed in the moment.

Another photo captured Mowry with a breast pump attached to her while she grinned. Elsewhere on the carousel was an emotional photo of Mowry with teary eyes as she held onto storage bags of breast milk. 

Alongside the pictures was a caption where the “Twitch” actress detailed her struggles with breastfeeding. “When I had Cree, I was struggling to breastfeed him,” Mowry shared. “I was only able to breastfeed for 3 months before having to switch to formula.”

The “Detention” actress further disclosed that breastfeeding her daughter was different as there was Instagram, where she learned more about breastfeeding and got support from other women. Hence, she “was able to breastfeed Cairo for 13 months.”

However, the actress noted that while she had the support, the lactating ride wasn’t a smooth one. In her words, “Nonetheless, the journey was difficult. I was pumping every 3 hours at work while working 14-hour days on set, and at times I would have to breastfeed on set as well.”

Mowry added that due to the stress of breastfeeding, she had “mastitis, which is a painful infection of the breast tissue, and had to be hospitalized.” But being hospitalized didn’t stop her from feeding her little one. “But even through the long days and the hospitalization, I still didn’t give up. I continued to breastfeed through the pain and pushed through.”

Rounding up her experience, the “Seventeen Again” actress left encouraging words for mothers struggling with breastfeeding. She wrote,

“And if you are struggling with breastfeeding, I want you to know that it is more than okay to feed your children formula. As long as your children are fed, loved, happy, and supported, that’s all that matters.”

Two days before Mowry got candid about her struggles with breastfeeding, she sent out a PSA to all mothers, saying motherhood isn’t about perfection. In the inspirational video, the Tv producer stated, “You don’t have to be perfect to be a good Mom. You don’t need to compare yourself to other moms.”

“It’s okay if you feel overwhelmed by motherhood. This s--- is hard. You can take a break … the world won’t stop turning. I’m so proud of you.”

For Mowry, her two children mean a great deal to her, and she previously revealed that they served as an inspiration as she made the tough decision of filing for a divorce. 

The Tv personality explained the vital role her kids played in her big decision. She said, “A part of my decision was also for them. For them seeing their mother walk in truth. I feel like it’s a great lesson for them because it was not an easy decision.”

She added, “It was one of the hardest decisions that I had ever had to make in my entire life. But if they see that mommy can do it, that mommy, no matter what people say, no matter, even if there’s some sort of doubt, whatever, mommy pushed through.”

According to the producer, she decided to show her kids she is living her truth and letting them know it’s ok to live their lives for themselves. The former Disney star admitted that it is “the best gift” she can give her two kids. 

“I want for them not to live a life that I want them to live, for them not to live a life that everybody else wants them to live or what they think that they should be or live. I want them to see that it is okay to have a bad day. I want them to see that it is okay to chase your joy. I want them to see that it is okay to live your truth.”