Lily Collins told to ‘get educated’ after facing backlash over snap with newborn daughter
'I noticed that immediately...'
Lily Collins and her husband Charlie McDowell have faced backlash over a photo with their newborn daughter.
The Emily in Paris actor, 35, and film director, 41, welcomed their first child, Tove Jane McDowell, via surrogate in January.
Taking to Instagram, new mum Lily shared a beaming selfie alongside Charlie and Tove walking on a beach together.
‘Tove’s first beach day!…’ she wrote in the caption alongside the snaps which show the newborn in a baby carrier being worn by Charlie.
However, various followers urged Lily to ‘get educated on how to babywear’ slamming the position of Tove in the carrier.
‘It is not safe to carry a baby like that. I recommend to change your carrier,’ nosze_z_miloscia commented.
Lily and Charlie welcomed Tove earlier this year via surrogate (Picture: Instagram/lilyjcollins) The Emily In Paris star shared a picture with her daughter that has faced backlash (Picture: Instagram/lilyjcollins)‘Please get educated on how to babywear,’ Viridirosa wrote, while J.bleauphoenix replied: ‘I know I looked at that immediately. The baby is too small to be in that carrier.’
Romifasol also added: ‘This is not about “she pleases without your comments”. She can hurt the baby with that position.
‘You can use ergonomic but IT HAS TO BE ergonomic, and that is with legs in a M position.’
The user is referring to what is also known as the M-position, which supports the baby’s hips and spine and reduces strain on their joints, according to Natural Baby Shower.
Lily tagged Najell in the post, the company that produced the carrier in the photo, with the website stating that many of their baby carriers can be worn ‘from newborn to 15kg.’
The website additionally states: ‘All of Najell’s baby carriers are recommended as hip healthy carriers by the International Hip Dysplasia Institute.’
Users urged the star to change the position of Tove in a baby carrier worn by Charlie (Picture: Instagram/Lily Collins)Founder of Carifit and babywearing movement expert Vern Hill told Metro that the parent’s babywearing journey is ‘something to be celebrated’ but had some ‘sensitive pointers for improvements in positioning.’
‘This post has caused a bit of a stir on social media particularly in the comments section but what is actually going on in this photo – is baby in a dangerous position or simply in a suboptimal one in a carrier that’s currently a bit big for baby?’ he said.
‘Best practice babywearing would mean using the simple guide of high, tight, visible and kissable.
‘This is true for all baby carriers and slings but will mean learning how your baby carrier adjusts and whether it’s truly suitable for newborn babies or you need to wait a while until your baby is a little bigger.
‘So is this all achievable in this particular carrier? Yes and no. This carrier, like many fixed panel carriers, has a main part that is a fixed size and shape and as such it won’t immediately go small enough for newborns despite the carriers passing the safety regulations that allow them to claim a 7lb starting weight as suitable.’
Vern Hill's tips for safe babywearingHigh – high on the wearers torso so that the top of babies head is readily kissable without straining your neck downwards.
Tight – Tight enough that your baby doesn’t slump or slip in the carrier and that their posture, spine and hips are ergonomically supported.
Visible – babies face should be visible. The carrier should come to the nape of babies neck or midline of the ear and you should be able to see your baby’s face.
He went on to explain how Tove’s positioning in the carrier was ‘suboptimal’ but not ‘dangerous.’
‘Could this carrier be better fitted and adjusted to baby and wearer than it currently is, yes, because it’s not meeting high, tight, kissable and visible,’ he continued.
‘But is what is going on dangerous and worthy of some of the more vicious comments? No, and particularly not on a flat chest male landscape.
‘So suboptimal and definitely worth Lily and crew getting some fitting support but how wonderful to see parents getting some fresh air, movement and bonding.’
It comes after the couple faced intense backlash for ‘normalising’ surrogacy, with Charlie taking to the comments of their baby announcement post.
It comes after the star faced scrutiny for welcoming her daughter via surrogate(Picture: Instagram/Lily Collins)
He wrote: ‘Thank you for all the kind messages and love. We are overjoyed and very grateful.
‘In regards to the unkind messages about surrogacy and our path to having a baby— it’s ok to not be an expert on surrogacy.
‘It’s ok to not know why someone might need a surrogate to have a child. It’s ok to not know the motivations of a surrogate regardless of what you assume.
‘And it’s ok to spend less time spewing hateful words into the world, especially in regards to a beautiful baby girl who has brought a lot of love into people’s lives.’
He concluded: ‘That’s all for now because she just pooped and I need to change her diaper.’
Metro.co.uk has contacted representatives for Lily Collins for comment
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us [email protected], calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
