Without a doubt, one of the most hotly-debated topics on Internet message boards, mommy blogs, and social media comments sections is none other than PUBLIC BREASTFEEDING.

It just seems like folks are either super supportive of it or super against it— and trust us, there aren’t a whole lot who are in between!

Just over the past year alone, we have shared several tales of public breastfeeding controversies that have really gotten the peanut gallery talking, from a mother who plans to breastfeed her kindergartner to age 10 to a super-fit momma who prefers to breastfeed while doing yoga.

But those are just the more extreme stories. We’ve also shared with you stories of public breastfeeding injustices, like when this new mother was asked to leave a restaurant because she was simply breastfeeding her newborn. How rude is that?!

But, with all of this chatter, we sometimes forget that breastfeeding really is a natural, healthy act that advocates are doing their best to normalize every day, in some very creative ways.

Just take today’s viral video, for instance. It stars a gorgeous runway model strutting her stuff on the catwalk … while breastfeeding her 5-month-old baby daughter.

Nope, we’re not kidding. Talk about multitasking!

How this runway model has quickly become an overnight breastfeeding icon

Surprised to see a model breastfeeding her baby while walking down a runway? We were too! Here’s the scoop:

The model, whose name is Mara Martin, walked in the Sports Illustrated Swim Search fashion show this past weekend, a fashion event devised by the iconic magazine to help bring more diversity to its brand. Martin had been chosen to be one of the 16 models to be part of the elite group.

Before she was set to make her big debut, though, she had to nurse her 5-month-old daughter, Aria. It was at that very moment that SI Swimsuit editor MJ Day strolled past the nursing momma and offered her the opportunity to share the catwalk with her hungry baby.

MJ explained:

It was very spontaneous. When I was talking with the girls backstage prior to the show beginning, I saw that Mara’s baby was sleeping and peacefully nursing. I asked Mara if she would want to walk and continue to nurse. She said ‘Oh my gosh, yes! Really? Are you sure?’, and I said absolutely! I loved the idea to be able to allow Mara to keep nursing and further highlight how incredible and beautiful women are. For me, I nursed two babies myself, so I find it to be one of the most powerful things the female body can do. It was the easiest decision I have had to make in months.”

How cool is that?!

Of course, the powerful image caused quite the stir, so much so that news outlets the world over published images of the unique runway “accessory”. The next morning, Martin took to Instagram to share her emotions:

Wow! WHAT A NIGHT! Words can’t even describe how amazing I feel after being picked to walk the runway for @si_swimsuit. Anyone who knows me, knows it has been a life long dream of mine. I can’t believe I am waking up to headlines with me and my daughter in them for doing something I do every day. It is truly so humbling and unreal to say the least. I’m so grateful to be able to share this message and hopefully normalize breastfeeding and also show others that women CAN DO IT ALL! 

Talk about a revolutionary moment! To see Mara Martin’s incredible runway walk for yourself, be sure to watch the video below.

We can’t wait to hear your take on this surprising breastfeeding locale. Are you a fan of the catwalk display? Why or why not? Do you think public breastfeeding should be normalized?