David Beckham: "...you have no right to criticize me as a parent…"

You tell 'em, David Beckham.

In Australia, we say this: mind your own beeswax.

Responding to an article in The Daily Mail, with the jarring headline:

Why does Harper, four, still use a dummy? Experts warn David and Victoria Beckham's little girl may end up with 'speech or dental issues' if she continues to use one.

In reply, just a few hours ago, David posted this on his Instagram:

Why do people feel they have the right to criticize a parent about their own children without having any facts ?? Everybody who has children knows that when they aren't feeling well or have a fever you do what comforts them best and most of the time it's a pacifier so those who criticize think twice about what you say about other people's children because actually you have no right to criticize me as a parent ...

<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-version="4" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:8px;"> <div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"> <div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAAGFBMVEUiIiI9PT0eHh4gIB4hIBkcHBwcHBwcHBydr+JQAAAACHRSTlMABA4YHyQsM5jtaMwAAADfSURBVDjL7ZVBEgMhCAQBAf//42xcNbpAqakcM0ftUmFAAIBE81IqBJdS3lS6zs3bIpB9WED3YYXFPmHRfT8sgyrCP1x8uEUxLMzNWElFOYCV6mHWWwMzdPEKHlhLw7NWJqkHc4uIZphavDzA2JPzUDsBZziNae2S6owH8xPmX8G7zzgKEOPUoYHvGz1TBCxMkd3kwNVbU0gKHkx+iZILf77IofhrY1nYFnB/lQPb79drWOyJVa/DAvg9B/rLB4cC+Nqgdz/TvBbBnr6GBReqn/nRmDgaQEej7WhonozjF+Y2I/fZou/qAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"></div></div> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://instagram.com/p/6NZyxMTWdt/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top">Why do people feel they have the right to criticize a parent about their own children without having any facts ?? Everybody who has children knows that when they aren&#39;t feeling well or have a fever you do what comforts them best and most of the time it&#39;s a pacifier so those who criticize think twice about what you say about other people&#39;s children because actually you have no right to criticize me as a parent ...</a></p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A photo posted by David Beckham (@davidbeckham) on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2015-08-10T16:23:24+00:00">Aug 10, 2015 at 9:23am PDT</time></p></div></blockquote> <script async defer src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script>

Petition aims to ban baby ear-piercing: why I won't sign

I have signed online petitions before. Yes, I have.

Mainly when people seek to change laws concerning kids and animals, anything relating to violence against women. Gay rights. You know, meaningful things.

But this.

I truly can't even.

And I don't say 'can't even.'

A petition which aims to ban baby ear-piercing?

It strangely makes me think of 'Mean Girls': "stop trying to make 'fetch' happen."

As it applies to this: stop trying to make us 'outraged' about something that has nothing to do with you. Stop trying to make something that is not relevant to you happen.

Piercing my daughter's ears? Butt out.

I had my daughter's ears pierced when she was about five months old. And I think I left it too late!

For us (and by us, I mean people of Italian background), it's a cultural thing.

My mother had my ears pierced when I was young.

It involved my mother, my godmother, my aunt… and some metho.

And guess what? I don't remember it.

Isn't that the whole point? It's done when you're too young to recall the pain?

This petition wants to:

Make it illegal for babies/toddlers to get their ears pierced. Set a minimum legal age requirement.

They say:

Why is this important?

It is a form of child cruelty. Severe pain and fear is inflicted upon infants unnecessarily. It serves no purpose other than to satisfy the parent's vanity. Other forms of physically harming children are illegal- this should be no different.

I don't even know where to start with this. So I will start here: 'cruelty'. 'Parent's vanity.' 'Illegal'.

As my parents used to say, "Fatti i cazzi tuoi."

Which means, "Mind your own effing business."

It's almost funny, this petition. As funny as sending it to Italy and South America where piercing is the norm, and is done sometimes before the baby leaves hospital.

The Italians and South Americans can have a chuckle over their caffe, over your concern for their child.

Kate Murray: Breast Cancer New Mother PHOTOS

These photos by photographer Kate Murray have blown me away.

Spotted on social media last night, they have quickly gone viral.

The post, by Kate herself, are captioned:

This is the definition of strength, love, and pure raw beauty. Mom was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer halfway through pregnancy with her surprise gender baby. She had one breast removed and underwent chemo while carrying her miracle baby. She was induced at 36 weeks in order to receive more treatment. Baby BOY was born ready to prove to the world his strength he inherited from his strong mommy. He latched on to her remaining breast all on his own and the room erupted in so many emotions. Breastfeeding is such a sacred bond, and this one just makes my heart break and swell at the same time. I am beyond blessed to have met and gotten to know this woman and her family, and so honored she asked me to be there to document these precious moments. Please share, and continue to pray for this family as they go into their next journey together!

Possibly the most moving newborn photos I have ever seen.

Instagram Breastfeeding and Nude Photos: Policy Change

With parents and celebrity mums and dads often complaining that their social media photos featuring breastfeeding and ample skin and nudity are taken down by the social media platform Instagram, Instagram themselves have just released new guidelines pertaining to these very photos.

The NEW guidelines below, but first, some celebs who have been breastfeeding and posting  on social media for eons:

Miranda Kerr

Natalia Vodianova

Olivia Wilde

Pink

Community Guidelines

The Short

We want Instagram to continue to be an authentic and safe place for inspiration and expression. Help us foster this community. Post only your own photos and videos and always follow the law. Respect everyone on Instagram, don’t spam people or post nudity.

The Long

Instagram is a reflection of our diverse community of cultures, ages, and beliefs. We’ve spent a lot of time thinking about the different points of view that create a safe and open environment for everyone.

We created the Community Guidelines so you can help us foster and protect this amazing community. By using Instagram, you agree to these guidelines and our Terms of Use. We’re committed to these guidelines and we hope you are too. Overstepping these boundaries may result in a disabled account.

Post photos and videos that are appropriate for a diverse audience.

We know that there are times when people might want to share nude images that are artistic or creative in nature, but for a variety of reasons, we don’t allow nudity on Instagram. This includes photos, videos, and some digitally-created content that show sexual intercourse, genitals, and close-ups of fully-nude buttocks. It also includes some photos of female nipples, but photos of post-mastectomy scarring and women actively breastfeeding are allowed. Nudity in photos of paintings and sculptures is OK, too.

People like to share photos or videos of their children. For safety reasons, there are times when we may remove images that show nude or partially-nude children. Even when this content is shared with good intentions, it could be used by others in unanticipated ways. You can learn more on our Tips for Parents page.

Before the update, Instagram's community guidelines were a little vague and only used language like "keep your clothes on" and be "respectful."

The old guidelines are still viewable through an archive page - they didn't mention breastfeeding. These new rules are more precise. While Instagram did not mention why it changed its guidelines, the social network has recently gone under fire for banning accounts of mothers who post stretch marks (yes!) or somewhat expose their breasts in a breastfeeding photo.

And more celeb breastfeeding photos they've popped up on social media:

Alanis Morrisette

Alyssa Milano

Angelina Jolie

Doutzen Kroes

Gisele Bundchen

Gwen Stefani

Jaime King

Jessie James Decker

Jessie James Decker using a breast pump

Julie Bowen

Salma Hayek a baby in Africa

Tila Tequila

Mum of 13 is pregnant with quads - at age 65: Annegret Raunigk

A 65 year old woman from Berlin, who already has 13 children, is pregnant again with quadruplets, Germany's RTL broadcaster reported on Sunday.

The woman's pregnancy - she is a Russian and English teacher - follows several attempts abroad at artificial insemination over the last year-and-a-half, according to the TV channel.

Annegret Raunigk decided to try to have another child because her youngest daughter, who is nine, wanted a little brother or sister, the channel said on its website.

RTL said it would broadcast an interview with the pregnant mother, who has seven grandchildren, to track her through the pregnancy and afterwards.

Raunigk will be the world's oldest mother of quadruplets.

Newspaper Bild am Sonntag reported the pregnancy, quoting the prospective mother-of-17, whose oldest daughter is reportedly 44, recalling the moment doctors broke the news.

"Certainly that was a shock for me. After the doctor discovered there were four, I had to give it some thought to begin with," Bild quoted her as saying, adding she had not considered it an option to reduce the number of embryos.

"On the scan it was just clear to see,." 

She added:

"I'm not actually afraid. I simply assume I'll remain healthy and fit. In matters of organisation I have enough experience, that's not new for me," she said.

Asked about any moral doubts, RTL quoted her as saying: "How does one have to be at 65? One must apparently always fit some cliches which I find rather tiring.

"I think, one must decide that for oneself."

Her gynaecologist, Kai Hertwig, was quoted on the RTL website as saying that quadruple pregnancies were always a strain but that everything was going well.

The biggest risk for the babies is being born prematurely and doctors are doing all they can to prevent that, the gynaecologist added.

Mrs Raunigk made headlines 10 years ago too, when she gave birth to her 13th child at the age of 55.

"At first, I only wanted one child," Bild quoted her as saying at the time. "Not all were planned, but then things happen. I'm not a planner, but rather spontaneous... and children keep me young."

What are you thoughts?

'One Day Young' - first day of baby's life book by Jenny Lewis

This book, just released: ‘One Day Young’ by Jenny Lewis.

Jenny Lewis's portraits of women and their newborns - all taken within 24 hours of birth in East London - offer a rare glimpse into the beating heart of family life and celebrate the intimacy, joy and resilience of new motherhood.

SO beautiful - the vulnerability, the innocent, the frailty of life. Here's a glimpse:

The book is 112 pages, hardcover, gold foiled, and 145 x 205mm in size.

To buy it, go here.

Kim Zolciak and Kroy Biermann drink placenta smoothie

Kim Zolciak and Kroy Biermann drank the pulverised placenta from Kim's body just after the birth of their twins, all mixed up in a smoothie.

I'll let that just sink in for a bit. I will not be held responsible if you feel queasy. I did. Vom.

Imagine if you'd seen the clip. I watched the scene when the show Kim and Kroy star in screened this week on Australian TV - it's a Foxtel show called 'Don't Be Tardy', which started this week exclusively on the Arena channel. It's now season three of the show, with the first season called 'Don't Be Tardy for the Wedding', documenting the couple as they prepared for their wedding and as well as the wedding day itself. More on the show below.

I actually could not watch abovementioned placenta smoothie scene. I covered my eyes and looked away but I did not mute it. I wanted to hear the exchange between husband and wife (who got married in series one of the show, and who already have two boys together, after joining Kim's daughters, Ariana age 12 and Brielle age 17, from her previous relationship).

Said Kim in the placenta smoothie episode:

“I’m nervous,” Zolciak says when the placenta encapsulation specialist arrives at her hospital room. “What do you do with the smoothie? Tell me about it.”

After revealing that she will take a piece of Zolciak’s placenta and put it in a smoothie, the expert describes it as “just like raw meat.”

“Dr. Hood has really scared the sh*t outta me with this whole postpartum depression, especially with twins because your levels are through the roof and my friend told me eating your placenta can help with that,” Zolciak says to camera. “I can do anything by my babies.

But Zolciak’s husband Kroy Biermann isn’t really on board at all when she tells him to drink a smoothie with her.

“I love my wife and I’ll do a lot for her, but you might as well pick your nose and throw a few boogers in. It’s been inside of you,” he says to Kim.

“Physically you’ve been inside me, right?” she says to Kroy.

“Yeah, my penis,” he says, “but that’s fine.”

Zolciak tells him, “Don’t f**ckin’ back out on me, I just pushed out two of your children and one of them breach and my p*ssy’s tore to hell because of it. You are drinking the f**king smoothie Kroy.”

"Afterbirth is what's for dinner", adds the placenta-smoothie woman Melanie Nasmyth (she's actually called a 'placenta encapsulation specialist), expertly blending what looks like chopped up meat in a bag.

So after blending and a mutual “cheers!” between the duo, they take their first sips.

“It tastes like a fruit smoothie,” says Kim. “Kroy, just drink it,” she tells her husband.

“Oh, there it is,” Kroy says after a cautious sip. “I got a three minute delay aftertaste.”

Kim isn’t the first celeb to eat their placenta after birth — Holly Madison talked about eating hers after giving birth, as well as January Jones and Alicia Silverstone.




Here are some photos for you to feast on. Yummy. And below… the entire first ep.

You can follow the social media convo with the hashtag #DontBeTardy.

'Don't Be Tardy' screens in Australia on Foxtel on Arena on Wednesdays at 9.30pm. Look at guides for repeats throughout the week.

Here is the entire first ep, including the placenta smoothie (at around 9min, 30sec):

After a successful season one, it was announced the series was to be renewed for a second season, with the series being renamed to its current title. Season 2 premiered in the US on April 16, 2013.

The second season shows  Zolciak as she moves on from 'The Real Housewives of Atlanta' to take care of her family, building her dream home and living out of the townhouse with the couple's growing family.

Kroy met Kim in May 2010 while Zolciak was attending the 'Dancing Stars of Atlanta' charity event to support her 'Real Housewives' cast member Sheree Whitfield. Biermann and Zolciak started dating and just three months later, Zolciak was pregnant. On May 31, 2011, Zolciak gave birth to son Kroy Jagger Biermann Jr. with then-boyfriend Biermann. This was Biermann's first child and Kim's first son. The couple wed at their previous Atlanta home on November 11, 2011. On March 20, 2012 Kim announced via Twitter that she and Kroy were expecting their second child together. On August 15, 2012, they welcomed their second son Kash Kade Biermann. It was announced on June 5, 2013, that the couple is expecting their third child together and Zolciak's fifth. It was then announced on August 19, 2013, that the couple was expecting a set of twins, which is the couples' third and fourth child together and Zolciak's fifth and sixth. Zolciak announced that she gave birth to her twins on November 25, 2013. The girl is named Kaia Rose after "Psychic Rose" - who Kim is seen visiting throughout her time on The Real Housewives - while her boy, Kane Ren, includes Ren after Zolciak's Ob-Gyn who has delivered 5 out of her 6 children.

Bravo announced the third season renewal of 'Don't Be Tardy' in April 2014. Season 3 premiered on July 17, 2014. The third season features Kim and Kroy's two new twins (a boy and a girl), their first two children together (both boys) and their two teenagers (adopted by Kroy but from previous relationships of Kim's). The four younger children are all under the age of four. Kroy dealt with a football injury that temporarily suspended his football career. The family has moved into their completed 17,000 square-foot home and Kim has hired a team of staff to maintain the estate.

Here are some snap of the big, happy family (all photos Life & Style magazine - click here for more):