Kym Marsh has called for people to "stop bashing each other" about breastfeeding.
The ‘Coronation Street’ star – who has kids David, 24, and Emilie, 22, from her previous relationship with Dave Cunliffe, and eight-year-old daughter Polly from her former marriage to Jamie Lomas – insists her older children "turned out just fine" without being breastfed, and believes people should do what is right for themselves.
She said: "There’s a lot of pressure on new mums, particularly around breastfeeding. I did try my best to breastfeed after I had Polly but she was in special care and I wasn’t making enough milk. In the end, I was advised to stop trying.
"That said, I didn’t breastfeed with David or Emilie and they turned out just fine. I think people have to stop bashing each other."
Kym’s daughter Emilie is expecting her first child in the coming months, and the ‘Corrie’ star is delighted her partner Scott Ratcliffe was able to go to her daughter’s antenatal appointment recently because neither the Weatherfield favourite nor Emilie’s boyfriend of two years, Mikey Hoszowskyj, couldn’t attend.
Writing in her OK! magazine column, she added: "Emilie had an antenatal appointment and neither Mikey or I could make it due to work, so Scott went along with her.
"It’s lovely to see how well they get on and Scott loved hearing the baby’s heartbeat."
Kym – who plays Michelle Connor on the soap – will depart the ‘Corrie’ cobbles this week, and recently admitted one of her reasons for leaving the show is so she can spend more time with her soon-to-be-born grandson.
She said: "I’ve loved every minute of working there and I’ve made some great friends at work but now feels like the right time for me to take a break and spread my wings.
"There were reports that I was going to appear in the next series of Strictly or I’m A Celeb … as wonderful as those shows are, I’m not leaving Corrie after thirteen years to do reality TV.
"Another big factor in my decision to take a break from Corrie is the impending arrival of my grandson.
"I’m looking forward to having more time to spend with him and Emilie after he’s born this summer."