Elsie Hewitt, a 29-year-old model and fashion icon, recently penned an essay for Elle magazine, delving into her decision not to breastfeed her newborn daughter, Scottie Rose Hewitt Davidson. The couple welcomed their baby in December 2025, choosing the name that honors Pete Davidson’s father, who tragically lost his life during the September 11 attacks.
In the piece, Hewitt candidly discusses the myriad factors influencing her choice to forgo breastfeeding despite its numerous benefits. She acknowledges her mental health and recovery from postpartum depression as critical considerations, alongside her personal vision of motherhood. “The most crucial aspect was ensuring I provided my baby with the best possible care,” she emphasizes.
For Hewitt, stepping away from exclusive breastfeeding isn’t just a decision but an internal struggle rooted in deep-seated emotions and primal instincts. “My body is innately equipped to nourish my child, and opting out feels like reneging on something deeply ingrained,” Hewitt writes. “It’s hard not to feel a sense of rejection when such a natural instinct is bypassed.”
Despite her belief that the formula she feeds Scottie is safe, healthy, and packed with necessary nutrients, Hewitt still wrestles with lingering feelings of guilt. This emotional burden persists even as she strives for mental and emotional well-being. “The pressure to excel in motherhood isn’t just physical but also psychological,” Hewitt reflects.
Through her essay, Hewitt seeks to normalize this decision by emphasizing that being a good parent encompasses both the practical care infants need and the emotional satisfaction of choosing what feels right for them and their baby. Her candid account invites conversations about personal choices within parenting and highlights the complexities involved in making such decisions under significant life changes.