Alexandra Burke praised for wearing breast pump at Notting Hill Carnival
Alexandra Burke has been praised by fans for wearing a breast pump under her costume at the Notting Hill Carnival.
The former X Factor winner, 33, who welcomed her first child in July, looked incredible wearing her pump underneath her extravagant feathered and sequinned outfit while taking part in day three of the annual celebrations.
Appearing alongside family-run band Utopia Mas UK, who also wore breast pumps under their costumes, Burke was showing her support for the Pumps on Parade campaign, which aims to tackle taboos about breastfeeding and expressing in public.
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Speaking about her experience of wearing her pump at the event Burke said: “I think every mum is a little nervous about getting out and about again after giving birth. I’ve felt it, especially as I’ve been in a complete bubble at home since the little one arrived.
"Today at Carnival I’m feeling proud to be alongside The Utopia Band and wearing the Elvie Stride breast pump.
"And having been the first-ever ambassador, Notting Hill Carnival has a special place in my heart. It’s an incredible environment and experience to be immersed in, where all cultures come together and feel as one through great music, food and good vibes."
Watch: Alexandra Burke welcomes first child
Following the event Burke shared videos of her pumping carnival experience to her Instagram Story.
Alongside one clip she wrote: "Feeling empowered today - pumping at carnival and having the best time! Mamas, we got this!"
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She also posted an image in her carnival costume which lead to her followers praising her for helping to normalise breastfeeding and expressing.
"Thank you for promoting breastfeeding and pumping," one fan wrote. "It's incredible to know someone else is on this crazy journey."
"You are an absolute legend! Well done mumma," another fan commented.
"I just wanted to say kudos to you, complete respect," another added.
"Saw you dancing with your breast pump, Alexandra. Go girl," yet another fan wrote.
Last month Burke revealed that she had become a mother, by sharing a picture of her new baby on social media.
The singer - who rose to fame after winning The X Factor in 2008 - announced in February that she was expecting her first child with footballer boyfriend Darren Randolph.
To announce the arrival of her newborn, the new mum shared a photo of her baby's tiny feet wrapped in a wool blanket on Instagram, saying: "Welcome to the world our little grape. We already love you more than words can say."
Burke and Randolph began dating last year while the singer was performing as the Narrator in the West End revival of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.
The star recently confessed to her Instagram followers she had struggled to accept the changes to her body during pregnancy at first.
"The first three or four months of pregnancy I really struggled accepting all the changes to my body because it was totally out of my control," she wrote on Instagram.
"I’ll be honest and admit I’ve been through quite a few ups and down privately, BUT I now find myself in a totally different head space and I finally feel good about my body."
Read more: Celebrities breastfeeding: From nursing twins to public feeding, mums busting taboos
She added that being pregnant had helped her to love her body more.
"Having the blessing of growing a little human these last 9 months has honestly been one of the best feelings in the world. Feeling comfortable in my own skin I’ve decided to try and never be unkind to myself or my body moving forward...
"What I’m trying to say, pregnancy aside, is that we must try to love our bodies more rather than looking for negatives or comparing ourselves to others."
