Made In Chelsea star Alice Vanderpump has responded directly to social media trolls who questioned her feeding choices for her newborn son. The 24-year-old reality television personality, who welcomed her first child with husband Sam Vanderpump last month, shared a candid update about motherhood with her 238,000 TikTok followers this week.
Addressing The Criticism
In a video posted to her social media account, Alice was seen bottle-feeding her son while discussing their first month together as a family. Some followers immediately commented on her feeding method, with one top comment asking: "Can I ask why you chose to bottle feed?"
As other users defended Alice against what they perceived as intrusive questioning, the new mother calmly explained her situation. "Its breast milk and i still breast feed too," she clarified. "I dont use formula. He had a tongue tie and destroyed my nipples. Now i feel as though he doesnt get enough milk when hes just fed on the breast."
The Reality of New Motherhood
Alice spoke affectionately about her son Marmaduke, affectionately called Duke, describing how her life has transformed since his arrival. "Where has the time gone, I feel like you have doubled in size. I feel like life has not started until you came into it," she told her baby during the feeding session.
However, she also revealed the less-discussed aspects of becoming a parent. "No one tells you about the anxiety as well, I wake up in the middle of the night and I'm worried he's dead. It's so morbid," Alice confessed. "Or the fear of someone holding him, that stresses me out. If I'm not seeing him if I'm in the other room I have severe anxiety that I'm not around him. It's just so scary, it's so beautiful but so scary."
A Challenging Journey to Parenthood
The couple's path to welcoming their son has been marked by significant health challenges. Sam Vanderpump, 28, became seriously ill with flu in late 2024, developing sepsis and suffering liver and kidney failure. He was later diagnosed with irreversible end-stage liver disease and is currently on the transplant waiting list.
Despite this uncertainty, the couple chose to marry in an intimate ceremony at Chelsea Registry Office just before Christmas, prioritizing their relationship while Sam was well enough. They arranged the wedding within four weeks, opting for a low-key approach without traditional elements like a first dance or extended speeches.
Family Connections and Naming
The couple announced their son's birth to Hello! magazine, revealing they had chosen the name Marmaduke as a tribute to Sam's late father, Mark Vanderpump, who died in 2018 at age 59. Sam explained the sentimental choice: "My dad is no longer with us, but he always wanted to call my brother 'Duke' because he believed my brother would one day become Prime Minister, Duke Vanderpump."
Alice gave birth at the Kensington Wing of the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital on Monday, 9 February. The couple had announced they were expecting a baby boy in September, with a due date coinciding with Valentine's Day.
Health Struggles and Emotional Resilience
Sam has been open about the emotional toll of his health struggles, particularly after learning Alice was pregnant. On the We Need To Talk podcast with Paul C Brunson, he described fearing he might not live to meet his son after being told he needed a liver transplant.
"I always get sad when I think my dad's never going to see his grandchild," Sam shared. "To now start having that thing dawned on you. Am I going to see my child? That's terrifying."
Sam was born with rare conditions including congenital hepatic fibrosis of the liver and polycystic kidney disease, which remained dormant until last December when his organs began shutting down.
Looking Forward
The newlyweds plan to host a larger celebration in May 2027, following the arrival of their son. Sam proposed to Alice in March, after being hospitalized in January with the life-threatening health crisis.
Despite the challenges, Sam expressed his happiness about their marriage to Hello! Magazine: "I was struggling emotionally in the weeks leading up to the wedding because of everything going on with my health. But I have been so over the moon happy these past few days."
Alice's response to feeding criticism highlights the complex realities many new mothers face, particularly when medical complications influence feeding decisions. Her openness about both the joys and anxieties of motherhood has resonated with followers navigating similar experiences.
