Bikini model who breastfed her baby ON the catwalk said it helped empower new mothers - but GMB viewers argue it was a publicity stunt to boost her career

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The bikini model who breastfed her baby while walking down the catwalk has said the moment empowered new mothers.

Mara Martin, 30, strutted down the catwalk at the 2018 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit show in Miami, Florida, in a gold swimsuit while nursing her six-month-old daughter Aria last month.

Speaking on Good Morning Britain on Monday, Mara insisted that choosing to breastfeed her baby on the stage was 'organic' and she said she was glad it had started a conversation about breastfeeding.

However, GMB viewers accused the brand of doing a 'publicity stunt' that publicised the fashion show and boosted the then unknown model's career. 

Mara brought out her daughter Aria on GMB on Monday (pictured). The bikini model claimed the little girl was getting hungry during the show so she decided to carry on feeding her as she walked the Miami fashion show last month

Mara Martin, 30, breastfed her six-month-old daughter Aria on the catwalk while modelling the 2018 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit show in Florida last month (pictured)

The proud mother was one of 16 finalists selected from an open casting call to take part in the runway show as part of Miami Swim Week. 

Mara explained that Aria was getting hungry when the show kept getting pushed back so she had to feed the tot backstage.

She claimed the show's organisers told her she was welcome to go out on the runway while nursing.

Mara said: 'It was an organic moment. The show was being pushed back and I was feeding her. I'm so glad it started this conversation worldwide. 

Speaking on Good Morning Britain on Monday, bikini model Mara said the moment she breastfed her six-month-old daughter Aria while on the catwalk was 'empowering' for new mothers. Pictured: on the ITV chat show on Monday

'It's an awesome conversation starter of normalising breastfeeding, body positivity and being comfortable in your own skin. If you guys have a dream don't let anything get in the way of it.'

However, viewers took to Twitter to suggest that the moment was just a stunt.

One tweeted: 'Mara Martin just wanted worldwide exposure. It's that simple. She got that by using this pathetic breastfeeding smokescreen. If only she got a modelling job on merit rather than a tacky shock value moment.'

'This was absolutely nothing to do with publicity at all!' another posted.

GMB viewers on Monday accused the model of participating in a 'publicity stunt' for the show and said the act of her breastfeeding while walking down the runway in July boosted the then unknown model's career (pictured)

A third said: 'American model who nobody has ever heard of breast feeds her sprog on the catwalk, of course it was not a career move!'

'Not a publicity stunt at all,' another wrote. 

Mara defended herself from critics, insisting that the moment was completely 'organic'.

Mara claimed the show's organisers told her she was welcome to go out on the runway while nursing (pictured on the runway last month)

She explained: 'Everyone has the right to their own opinion; some people don't agree with breastfeeding in public, some people think it was a gimmick but I know what happened and the bathing suit was a full bathing suit I just happened to pull it down. 

'It was a moment that was a regular mum chasing her dream and feeling confident in her five month post-partum body. I was nourishing a baby so it really was a positive and empowering moment and that's all it's really been for me. 

'The negativity really hasn't affected me and it isn't part of the conversation for me.'