Argentinian police officer promoted after photo of her breastfeeding neglected infant goes viral

Hoy recibimos a Celeste, la oficial que amamantó a un bebé en el Hospital de Niños de #LaPlata para notificarle su ascenso. Queríamos agradecerle en persona ese gesto de amor espontáneo que logró calmar el llanto del bebé. La policía que nos enorgullece, la policía que queremos. pic.twitter.com/8aBp0Xj4Zj

— Cristian Ritondo (@cristianritondo) August 17, 2018

Ayala was among a team of officers who took six siblings into state custody in a municipality near Buenos Aires as they were in a miserable condition in their home, The New York Times reported. When the police officials reached the hospital, the youngest among the children was wailing. Being the mother of 16-month-old daughter, Ayala quickly realised the infant was crying due to hunger. After seeking permission from the staff at the hospital, she sat there on a stall with the baby to feed it.

“I didn’t doubt it for a second,” she told the Argentine television show Cronica.

The photo of her nursing the baby went viral, after one of her colleagues uploaded the photo on Facebook and lauded her for the selfless act. Along with the photo, Heredia also said that the hospital staff called the baby “smelly and dirty”, but Ayala was not bothered by it.

The news of her promotion was celebrated, and people said such appreciation and recognition would inspire others to help more.

Reminds me of the ending of “The Grapes of Wrath” which offers hope to all of us. No matter how hard life is. No matter what happens to us, strength and love can sustain us. This infant, abandoned and dirty was taken into the arms of this young woman police officer & breastfed. https://t.co/iqftY8Nrd7

— Walt Cronin (@waltcronin) August 23, 2018

The humanity shown by officer Celeste- towards an innocent little child- is unfortunately rare in today’s world- but serves to restore our faith in humanity, and also highlights the many police officers out there who go beyond the call of duty every day. Celeste- we salute you! https://t.co/4JwZdRZYzQ

— Shane McCarrick (@shanemccarrick) August 22, 2018

Love ❤️ love 💕 love 💗 this story so much. Especially now. Breast feed- anytime, anyplace and if a baby needs it- ANY baby. (Hey @GOP this is what you do AFTER you stop the abortion!) https://t.co/ld9TqsUjAn

— Bayleigh (@_Bayleigh_) August 22, 2018

People being awesome. Police officer breastfed a struggling baby in the hospital. https://t.co/FYVKMYQQ1O

— OneLPhil (@Philme01) August 21, 2018

When we see start to see humanity as human beings regardless of race, sex, gender, background, etc, kindness becomes an instinct. Thank you Officer Alaya for showing us what happens when we stop focusing on our differences and realize just how alike we all are. #CelesteAyala https://t.co/fxGTSRN1Kr

— EYOB Foundation (@EYOBFoundation) August 21, 2018

💓 #stayhuman #CelesteAyala 💗 https://t.co/AXfp0eSQX6

— Luca Capone (@LucaCapone6) August 22, 2018

#Argentina celebrates the natural business of breastfeeding! So much so: they promoted a selfless police officer for feeding a patient’s malnourished, hungry baby, while on duty. Instead of shaming her, men took photos and hailed her #HERO #CelesteAyala https://t.co/EGCpFtXE1W

— PunkRockFarm (@PunkRockFarm) August 21, 2018

This is on duty police officer #CelesteAyala. She asked to look after a baby crying as overloaded staff in an Argentine hospital were unable to see to him. she then breastfed him like an absolute trooper. The power of woman. And the kindness of people #breastfeeding #police https://t.co/SW6nmor6S8

— Kerry Gooderson #FBPE (@Kerry_Gooderson) August 17, 2018

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