Love Island star Anna Vakili's influencer sister Mandi faces fierce backlash after saying she doesn't like seeing women breastfeed in public

Love Island star Anna Vakili's influencer sister Mandi has sparked fury after she said seeing women breastfeeding in public makes her 'uncomfortable'. 

The 34-year-old has gone viral after she voiced her opinion on mothers breastfeeding their babies in a now-deleted clip from their podcast, Sisters In The City. 

Mandi said: 'I'm going to be the first one to say it. I don't like it when I see women breastfeeding in public. It makes me uncomfortable. 

'Look, I'm not saying don't do it. It's my opinion. If I'm just in a restaurant and the woman is next to me with a human sucking on her and her breast is moving, I just get a bit uncomfortable. 

'I don't really know what to do and sometimes my dad's there and I get uncomfortable around my dad. My dad gets awkward. We all get awkward.

'Everybody's like women we're free, we're feeding, we're reproducing. We are mother nature.'

Mandi also made hand gestures to mimic breastfeeding which provoked a furious response from viewers on social media. 

People wrote: 'Mandi Vakili saying women breastfeeding in public makes her uncomfortable is so embarrassing for her. Her opinion is rooted in misogyny and pushes the narrative that women's bodies are for the male gaze. 

'Breasts are literally designed to feed children if it's possible. She can have an opinion - albeit a WEIRD one - but to announce it publicly is wild. 

'Her response was also completely tone deaf, some thoughts should stay thoughts.'

Others added: 'Years and years of trying to normalise something natural within society for a doris with a mic to try undo it all.' 

'I'm sorry but calling breastfeeding in public 'uncomfortable' is not just an opinion when we already have mums hiding to feed their babies. 

'Breastfeeding in public is legal. It isn't sexual, it isn't inappropriate, and it isn't a mum's job to make herself smaller so everyone else feels more comfortable. Sisters In The City and Mandi Vakili, you've got to do better girls. I sat and had your podcast when I was lonely and postpartum alone at home for company, this is just so disappointing'. 

Others said: 'Sickening' and 'How can you say you just shared an opinion when in actual fact you fully mocked women who choose to breastfeed with your theatrics. Then you choose to over-sexualise breastfeeding.'

'If it makes you uncomfortable, get up and leave. That's a you problem, not a baby needing to be fed problem.'

Mandi then hit back at the backlash as she said in a follow-up comment: 'I'm not talking about the women who cover and breastfeed. I am saying the women who have their entire boob out next to me while I'm having my eggs florentine at the café makes me awkward and uncomfortable. 

'Nobody said they shouldn't do it or be allowed to do it. But I can share an opinion that it makes me awkward and uncomfortable.

'I also respect your opinion if you disagree. Problem these days is everyone so sensitive and soft and annoyingly "omg can't believe you said that" that life is becoming muted and dull. 

'I listen to opinions about me daily that cuss me and what I do, how I live, how I look. And I don't get. I don't get THAT offended. Everyone needs to toughen up... in my opinion.' 

Some fans did come to Mandi's defence as they wrote: 'I couldn’t agree more and I’m a woman!'

'Breastfeed in public but cover up. There's so many breastfeeding covers out there'

'Me too tbh it makes me uncomfortable. Nothing wrong with that.' 

The Equality Act 2010 protects the rights of breastfeeding mothers, who cannot be discriminated against in public by being asked to leave cafes, shops or public transport.

Guidance on the NHS England website tells parents: 'You shouldn't ever be made to feel uncomfortable about breastfeeding in public.

'In fact, the Equality Act 2010 has made it illegal for anyone to ask a breastfeeding woman to leave a public place, such as a cafe, shop or public transport.'