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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Amy Denman

Ashley James cruelly mum-shamed as she breastfeeds baby daughter outside DJing gig

Ashley James has been hit with cruel mum-shaming comments after she shared a video of herself juggling work as a new mum-of-two.

The Made In Chelsea star, 36, gave birth to her second child – a baby girl called Ada – in March this year. The busy mum has returned to work as a DJ and gave fans an insight into juggling her life as a mum to a baby and a DJ.

In a candid video posted to her Instagram page, Ashley was seen juggling nursing her three-month-old baby girl while getting glammed up for the event.

Ashley is later seen with her partner Tom Andrews and daughter Ada outside the venue, as she explains the tot 'wasn't allowed inside'.

She is then seen heading into the venue before playing a DJ set.

As she posted the video on her Instagram page, Ashley penned a lengthy caption, where she candidly discussed the "invisible and almost impossible juggle" of being a mum.

Ashley then added: "I feel like I'm an a bit of an impossible juggle at the moment with a 3 1/2 month old and work. Especially as I can't leave her due to breastfeeding."

Ashley James was targeted by cruel critics (ashleylouisejames/Instagram)
Ashley gave birth to Ada earlier this year (ashleylouisejames/Instagram)

Many of Ashley's 336,000 followers were filled with praise in the comments as one wrote: "Love the real vibes of this video so much!"

Another added: "Gooo Ashley! You’re amazing" and a third penned: "Love this round up!!! Well done what a team effort, rocking it mama xxxx".

But some left comments quizzing her on where her older child, Alfie, was.

One troll asked: "Where on earth was Alf all day and night the poor boy? I admire your juggling but you haven’t mentioned or shown him once? Have I missed something?"

Another wrote: "Also I feel like this venue should’ve been more accommodating for you. I think it’s shocking they wouldn’t let Ada in. Id rather refuse to DJ than make my baby wait in the street at night bless them xx".

"I think it’s horrendous u had to feed her on the street and she wasn’t allowed in," a third added.

Ashley's caption read: "A realistic day in the life being a DJ with a baby.

"I wanted to make this video as an insight into the juggle. I mean, I know work looks very different for everyone, but no matter what any of my working mum friends do - from corporate to creative to part time to full time - every single one struggles with the juggle. And I feel like people have no idea about the everyday negotiating and logistics in households.

"Saying that, I still think the true heroes are the stay at home mums (and single mums). I think most working parents would say that going to work (without your child) feels like a holiday. Getting to commute without having to entertain a baby or toddler on the way? Pure bliss.

Ashley shared a video of her juggling being a DJ and a mum to a three-month-old (ashleylouisejames/Instagram)
Some criticised the fact Ada wasn't allowed in the venue (ashleylouisejames/Instagram)

"I can't believe I thought mums 'didn't work'. I think that's the biggest con in this patriarchal world. I feel like if it was more common for men to do all this unpaid labour they'd give out medals and knighthoods.

"I was chatting to a friend today about how there's this crazy pressure on mums to achieve the impossible. And it's almost invisible. Obviously this applies to lots of dads too but I'd say the expectation is largely on the mums.

"Let's take working mums: If you think that a standard job is 9-5, but school or nursery is 9-3/5 the maths just ain't mathing - especially when you consider commuting times.

"I feel like I'm an a bit of an impossible juggle at the moment with a 3 1/2 month old and work. Especially as I can't leave her due to breastfeeding. It's next to impossible to be the best mum entertaining Ada - especially now she's the age she wants entertaining - whilst keeping to work commitments and deadlines. I also feel like there's an overall lack of empathy or understanding when we talk about this juggle. ("Well don't have kids if you don't want to look after them" "don't be negative" - we hear people say to dismiss the struggles etc).

"I've noticed to that we're praised for 'doing it all'. When actually, we should celebrate those who don't do it all. Because what's more important than raising the next generation?

"It's mindblowing society doesn't understand the invisible and almost impossible juggle we go through every day!"

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