01 January 2023 , 10:44
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Stacey Dooley 's fans have rushed to her defence as online critics give the pregnant star some unsolicited advice.
As the former Strictly Come Dancing champion, 35, celebrated her final day at work last week, ahead of giving birth to her first baby very soon, the mum-to-be joked about how she was preparing for life with a baby.
Stacey and dancer Kevin Clifton announced they were expecting their first baby in August last year, after meeting on the star-studded BBC dancing competition in 2018 and striking up a romance alongside lifting the Glitterball trophy together.
Last week, Stacey took to Instagram to give fans a glimpse of her blossoming bump in a crop top as she showed off a boxy blue crossbody bag sitting neatly above her stomach.
Strictly professional Kevin Clifton and Stacey Dooley will welcome their first child into the world this year (Dave J Hogan/Getty Images)
The pregnant star shared a message with her fans as she signed off work last week ready to give birth (Instagram)The mum-to-be captioned the snap: "My penultimate day of work before the baby comes.
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"I haven't got a steriliser yet, but I have got this completely impractical bag for expectant mothers so DON'T WORRY, (I'm gonna be great at this clearly)," as she added plenty of laughing emojis to her update.
Many Instagram users were quick to see Stacey's caption as a declaration the star won't be breastfeeding when she becomes a mother, and didn't hesitate to let her know what they think of that possible decision.
Kevin and Stacey first met when they won their series of Strictly in 2018 (PA)"If you’re breastfeeding you won’t need a steriliser… problem solved," one commentator told the star, with another adding: "Steriliser just another way to make money out of parents. Not needed!"
Another quipped: "Breastfeeding doesn’t require sterilisers #normalisebreastfeeding".
The NHS does recommend giving nothing but breast milk for about the first 6 months (26 weeks) of a baby's life, but also offers help and advice to parents who decide to feed their baby formula. The decision whether to breastfeed or not is a personal choice.
The journalist hasn't revealed her plans regarding breastfeeding yet (Stacey Dooley/Instagram)Some mothers may opt to bottle-feed their newborn due to not being able to produce a healthy breast milk supply, while others may take certain medications or need to undergo a medical treatment that isn't breastfeeding safe. Many also make the decision not to breastfeed for their own reasons.
Stacey has not yet revealed whether she plans to breastfeed or not when she gives birth this year, but that didn't stop many Instagram users assuming she will bottle-feed thanks to her post last week.
Many of the pregnant star's fans rushed to support the investigative journalist as some offered their unsolicited advice and opinions - reminding people not to judge.
Stacey shared this snap to announce her pregnancy to fans last year (Instagram/ Kevin Clifton)
The star is expected to give birth to her first child early this year (Dave J Hogan/Getty Images)"So much judgement. I had absolutely no [intent] of breastfeeding. I didn’t want to. And I wasn’t going to be pushed into it," one of Stacey's fans began with when sharing a lengthy reply to some of the critics. "You do you and all the best for your new arrival. You will make all the right decisions for you and your baby xxx."
"You’ll make a cracking mum," another added, as a third commented: "It’s fine, we’re all winging it pretending we know what we’re doing anyway. 15 years and 3 kids in and I still don’t have a clue what I’m doing."
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One fan of Stacey sweetly told the mum-to-be: "All they need is your love, which you have so much to give."