Meghan Markle has had her first brush with mom shaming.
Fresh from celebrating the private christening of son Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, the duchess made a surprise appearance to watch husband Prince Harry participate in the King Power Charity Polo match on Wednesday. Baby Archie came too.
38 PHOTOSMeghan Markle and Kate Middleton attend polo match with kidsSee GalleryMeghan Markle and Kate Middleton attend polo match with kids
WOKINGHAM, ENGLAND – JULY 10: Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor attend The King Power Royal Charity Polo Day at Billingbear Polo Club on July 10, 2019 in Wokingham, England. (Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage)
WOKINGHAM, ENGLAND – JULY 10: Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Louis attend The King Power Royal Charity Polo Day at Billingbear Polo Club on July 10, 2019 in Wokingham, England. (Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage)
WOKINGHAM, ENGLAND – JULY 10: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Louis attend The King Power Royal Charity Polo Day at Billingbear Polo Club on July 10, 2019 in Wokingham, England. (Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage)
WOKINGHAM, ENGLAND – JULY 10: Prince George and Princess Charlotte attend The King Power Royal Charity Polo Day at Billingbear Polo Club on July 10, 2019 in Wokingham, England. (Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage)
WOKINGHAM, ENGLAND – JULY 10: Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor and Prince George of Cambridge attend The King Power Royal Charity Polo Day at Billingbear Polo Club on July 10, 2019 in Wokingham, England. (Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage)
Britain’s Kate, Duchess of Cambridge runs after her son Prince Louis, at the Royal Charity Polo Day at Billingbear Polo Club, Wokingham, England, Wednesday, July 10, 2019. (Andrew Matthews/PA via AP)
WOKINGHAM, ENGLAND – JULY 10: Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Louis attend The King Power Royal Charity Polo Day at Billingbear Polo Club on July 10, 2019 in Wokingham, England. (Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage)
WOKINGHAM, ENGLAND – JULY 10: Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor and Prince George of Cambridge attend The King Power Royal Charity Polo Day at Billingbear Polo Club on July 10, 2019 in Wokingham, England. (Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage)
WOKINGHAM, ENGLAND – JULY 10: Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor attend The King Power Royal Charity Polo Day at Billingbear Polo Club on July 10, 2019 in Wokingham, England. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
WOKINGHAM, ENGLAND – JULY 10: Prince George and Princess Charlotte attend The King Power Royal Charity Polo Day at Billingbear Polo Club on July 10, 2019 in Wokingham, England. (Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage)
Britain’s Kate, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Louis attend the Royal Charity Polo Day at Billingbear Polo Club, Wokingham, England, Wednesday, July 10, 2019. (Andrew Matthews/PA via AP)
WOKINGHAM, ENGLAND – JULY 10: Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor attend The King Power Royal Charity Polo Day at Billingbear Polo Club on July 10, 2019 in Wokingham, England. (Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage)
WOKINGHAM, ENGLAND – JULY 10: Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Louis attend The King Power Royal Charity Polo Day at Billingbear Polo Club on July 10, 2019 in Wokingham, England. (Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage)
The Duchess of Sussex holding her son Archie watched the Duchess of Cambridge as they attend the King Power Royal Charity Polo Day at Billingbear Polo Club, Wokingham, Berkshire. (Photo by Andrew Matthews/PA Images via Getty Images)
WOKINGHAM, ENGLAND – JULY 10: Prince George and Princess Charlotte attend The King Power Royal Charity Polo Day at Billingbear Polo Club on July 10, 2019 in Wokingham, England. (Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage)
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex with their son Archie as they the King Power Royal Charity Polo Day at Billingbear Polo Club, Wokingham, Berkshire. (Photo by Andrew Matthews/PA Images via Getty Images)
WOKINGHAM, ENGLAND – JULY 10: Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor attend The King Power Royal Charity Polo Day at Billingbear Polo Club on July 10, 2019 in Wokingham, England. (Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage)
The Duchess of Sussex holding her son Archie as they attend the King Power Royal Charity Polo Day at Billingbear Polo Club, Wokingham, Berkshire. (Photo by Andrew Matthews/PA Images via Getty Images)
WOKINGHAM, ENGLAND – JULY 10: Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor attend The King Power Royal Charity Polo Day at Billingbear Polo Club on July 10, 2019 in Wokingham, England. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
WOKINGHAM, ENGLAND – JULY 10: Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor attend The King Power Royal Charity Polo Day at Billingbear Polo Club on July 10, 2019 in Wokingham, England. (Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage)
WOKINGHAM, ENGLAND – JULY 10: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Louis, Prince George and Princess Charlotte attend The King Power Royal Charity Polo Day at Billingbear Polo Club on July 10, 2019 in Wokingham, England. (Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage)
WOKINGHAM, ENGLAND – JULY 10: Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor attend The King Power Royal Charity Polo Day at Billingbear Polo Club on July 10, 2019 in Wokingham, England. (Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage)
WOKINGHAM, ENGLAND – JULY 10: Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Louis attend The King Power Royal Charity Polo Day at Billingbear Polo Club on July 10, 2019 in Wokingham, England. (Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage)
The Duchess of Sussex holding her son Archie as they attend the King Power Royal Charity Polo Day at Billingbear Polo Club, Wokingham, Berkshire. (Photo by Andrew Matthews/PA Images via Getty Images)
Britain’s Kate, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Louis attend the Royal Charity Polo Day at Billingbear Polo Club, Wokingham, England, Wednesday, July 10, 2019. (Andrew Matthews/PA via AP)
WOKINGHAM, ENGLAND – JULY 10: Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor attend The King Power Royal Charity Polo Day at Billingbear Polo Club on July 10, 2019 in Wokingham, England. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
WOKINGHAM, ENGLAND – JULY 10: Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor attend The King Power Royal Charity Polo Day at Billingbear Polo Club on July 10, 2019 in Wokingham, England. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
WOKINGHAM, ENGLAND – JULY 10:Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor attend The King Power Royal Charity Polo Day at Billingbear Polo Club on July 10, 2019 in Wokingham, England. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
The Duchess of Sussex holding her son Archie watched the Duchess of Cambridge as they attend the King Power Royal Charity Polo Day at Billingbear Polo Club, Wokingham, Berkshire. (Photo by Andrew Matthews/PA Images via Getty Images)
The Duchess of Sussex holding her son Archie as they attend the King Power Royal Charity Polo Day at Billingbear Polo Club, Wokingham, Berkshire.
WOKINGHAM, ENGLAND – JULY 10: Prince George and Princess Charlotte attend The King Power Royal Charity Polo Day at Billingbear Polo Club on July 10, 2019 in Wokingham, England. (Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage)
WOKINGHAM, ENGLAND – JULY 10: Prince George and Princess Charlotte attend The King Power Royal Charity Polo Day at Billingbear Polo Club on July 10, 2019 in Wokingham, England. (Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage)
WOKINGHAM, ENGLAND – JULY 10: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Louis, Prince George and Princess Charlotte attend The King Power Royal Charity Polo Day at Billingbear Polo Club on July 10, 2019 in Wokingham, England. (Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage)
WOKINGHAM, ENGLAND – JULY 10: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Louis, Prince George and Princess Charlotte attend The King Power Royal Charity Polo Day at Billingbear Polo Club on July 10, 2019 in Wokingham, England. (Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage)
WOKINGHAM, ENGLAND – JULY 10: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Louis, Prince George and Princess Charlotte attend The King Power Royal Charity Polo Day at Billingbear Polo Club on July 10, 2019 in Wokingham, England. (Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage)
WOKINGHAM, ENGLAND – JULY 10:Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor attend The King Power Royal Charity Polo Day at Billingbear Polo Club on July 10, 2019 in Wokingham, England. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
WOKINGHAM, ENGLAND – JULY 10: Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex attend The King Power Royal Charity Polo Day at Billingbear Polo Club on July 10, 2019 in Wokingham, England. (Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage)
WOKINGHAM, ENGLAND – JULY 10: Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor attend The King Power Royal Charity Polo Day at Billingbear Polo Club on July 10, 2019 in Wokingham, England. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)Up Next
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The duchess held Archie throughout the match while sister-in-law Kate Middleton played with her own three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, nearby.
Photos emerged of the two families enjoying their day out, including a number of the new mom kissing and cradling 2-month old Archie.
But the parenting police were quick to call out Meghan for the way she was holding her son.
But not everyone was out to criticize Meghan, with many jumping to her defense.
According to Lucy Shrimpton, The Sleep Nanny and parenting expert at the U.K.’s The Baby Show there was nothing wrong with the way Meghan was holding baby Archie.
”While parents will adopt their own styles of holding and comforting their babies in a range of ways, the way Meghan is pictured holding Archie is actually a commonly recommended hold,” she told Yahoo Style U.K.
“She is supporting the majority of Archie’s body with her right arm while he rests his head on her chest. Babies are comforted by this position and hearing mom’s heartbeat too. So long as the face is to one side, which Archie’s is, this is a wonderfully soothing way to hold to a baby.”
11 PHOTOSKate Middleton stuns at polo matchSee GalleryKate Middleton stuns at polo match
The Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Louis attend the King Power Royal Charity Polo Day at Billingbear Polo Club, Wokingham, Berkshire.
WOKINGHAM, ENGLAND – JULY 10: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Louis, Prince George and Princess Charlotte attend The King Power Royal Charity Polo Day at Billingbear Polo Club on July 10, 2019 in Wokingham, England. (Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage)
WOKINGHAM, ENGLAND – JULY 10: Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Louis attend The King Power Royal Charity Polo Day at Billingbear Polo Club on July 10, 2019 in Wokingham, England. (Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage)
WOKINGHAM, ENGLAND – JULY 10: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Louis, Prince George and Princess Charlotte attend The King Power Royal Charity Polo Day at Billingbear Polo Club on July 10, 2019 in Wokingham, England. (Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage)
WOKINGHAM, ENGLAND – JULY 10: Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Louis attend The King Power Royal Charity Polo Day at Billingbear Polo Club on July 10, 2019 in Wokingham, England. (Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage)
WOKINGHAM, ENGLAND – JULY 10: Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Louis attend The King Power Royal Charity Polo Day at Billingbear Polo Club on July 10, 2019 in Wokingham, England. (Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage)
WOKINGHAM, ENGLAND – JULY 10: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Louis, Prince George and Princess Charlotte attend The King Power Royal Charity Polo Day at Billingbear Polo Club on July 10, 2019 in Wokingham, England. (Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage)
WOKINGHAM, ENGLAND – JULY 10: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Louis, Prince George and Princess Charlotte attend The King Power Royal Charity Polo Day at Billingbear Polo Club on July 10, 2019 in Wokingham, England. (Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage)
WOKINGHAM, ENGLAND – JULY 10: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Louis, Prince George and Princess Charlotte attend The King Power Royal Charity Polo Day at Billingbear Polo Club on July 10, 2019 in Wokingham, England. (Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage)
The Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Louis attend the King Power Royal Charity Polo Day at Billingbear Polo Club, Wokingham, Berkshire.
The Duchess of Sussex holding her son Archie watched the Duchess of Cambridge as they attend the King Power Royal Charity Polo Day at Billingbear Polo Club, Wokingham, Berkshire.Up Next
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Shrimpton pointed out that Meghan is also supporting Archie’s neck with her left arm in case his head were to lift from her chest.
”Perhaps people are confused about the safe ways to hold a baby,” she added. “There are lots of styles, some of which are less commonly seen but perfectly safe. The main thing is that the body and head and neck are all supported.”
As any new parent will appreciate, sometimes the struggle to soothe a wriggling newborn can leave your hold on your child looking somewhat unnatural.
“When a baby is born so is a mother — and it takes a little time to learn how to care for a child,” Cathy Ranson, editor of ChannelMum.com, told Yahoo Style U.K.
“Archie is only 2 months old so of course Meghan is still learning. Yes she looked a little stiff and awkward in some of the pictures, but that’s OK,” she added.
12 PHOTOSBaby Archie's christeningSee GalleryBaby Archie's christening
This official christening photograph released by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex shows the Duke and Duchess with their son, Archie and (left to right) the Duchess of Cornwall, The Prince of Wales, Ms Doria Ragland, Lady Jane Fellowes, Lady Sarah McCorquodale, The Duke of Cambridge and The Duchess of Cambridge in the Green Drawing Room at Windsor Castle. Photo by Chris Allerton. 
This official christening photograph released by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex shows the Duke and Duchess with their son, Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor at Windsor Castle with the Rose Garden in the background. Photo by Chris Allerton. 
Visitors take pictures as the Changing of the Guard takes place outside Windsor Castle in Windsor ahead of the royal christening of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s son, Archie, in the castle’s intimate private chapel. RESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Saturday July 6, 2019. See PA story ROYAL Christening. Photo credit should read: Rick Findler/PA Wire
Visitors take pictures as the Changing of the Guard takes place outside Windsor Castle in Windsor ahead of the royal christening of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s son, Archie, in the castle’s intimate private chapel. RESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Saturday July 6, 2019. See PA story ROYAL Christening. Photo credit should read: Rick Findler/PA Wire
Camilla the dog outside Windsor Castle in Windsor ahead of the royal christening of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s son, Archie, in the castle’s intimate private chapel. RESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Saturday July 6, 2019. See PA story ROYAL Christening. Photo credit should read: Rick Findler/PA Wire
Royal superfan John Loughrey outside Windsor Castle in Windsor ahead of the royal christening of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s son, Archie, in the castle’s intimate private chapel. RESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Saturday July 6, 2019. See PA story ROYAL Christening. Photo credit should read: Rick Findler/PA Wire
A cake from a royal well-wisher outside Windsor Castle in celebration of the royal christening of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s son, Archie, in the castle’s intimate private chapel. RESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Saturday July 6, 2019. See PA story ROYAL Christening. Photo credit should read: Rick Findler/PA Wire
Visitors take pictures as the Changing of the Guard takes place outside Windsor Castle in Windsor ahead of the royal christening of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s son, Archie, in the castle’s intimate private chapel. RESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Saturday July 6, 2019. See PA story ROYAL Christening. Photo credit should read: Rick Findler/PA Wire
Royal fan John Loughrey, 64, camped out in Windsor ahead of the royal christening of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s son, Archie, at Windsor Castle tomorrow.
Camera crews set up in Windsor ahead of the royal christening of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s son, Archie, at Windsor Castle tomorrow.
Royal superfan John Loughrey holds a sign in celebration of the royal christening of Archie, the son of Britain’s Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, outside Windsor Castle in England, Saturday, July 6, 2019. The 2-month-old son of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will be baptized Saturday in a private chapel at the castle by Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, head of the Church of England. (Rick Findler/PA via AP)
Royal superfan John Loughrey, with company from Camilla the dog, prepares flags and posters in celebration of the royal christening of Archie, the son of Britain’s Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, outside Windsor Castle in England, Saturday, July 6, 2019. The 2-month-old son of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will be baptized Saturday in a private chapel at the castle by Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, head of the Church of England. (Rick Findler/PA via AP)Up Next
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Whether it’s swaying, rocking or jiggling, however parents choose to settle and hold their babies is their decision to make, particularly as it is often the parents who will best understand how their child likes to be held.
“When it comes to holding your baby, mother really does know best as not all tots want to be held in the same way,” Ranson explained.
“Some like to snuggle in tight, others prefer to peek out at the world and it’s their mom who will read the signals and ensure they feel comfortable and reassured. Meghan will know what Archie wants and will make sure he gets it.”
And as Ranson pointed out, finding your feet as a first-time mom is tricky enough as it is, without doing so under the world’s gaze.
19 PHOTOSCelebrities as babiesSee GalleryCelebrities as babies
ELLEN DEGENERES
Who knew this little cherub would turn into everyone’s favorite talk show host prankster?
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GEORGE CLOONEY
Speaking of legendary pranksters… This one started out young.
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LEONARDO DICAPRIO
Far less brooding 40 years ago.
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BEYONCÉ
Who run the world? Curls.
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JUSTIN BIEBER
Is it too late now to say sorry (for this sweatshirt)?
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SOFIA VERGARA
Blonde…who knew?
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JOHN LEGEND
Soon enough he’s gonna have one of these, too.
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AMY SCHUMER
She still makes this very face.
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KATE MIDDLETON
Little duchesses gotta start somewhere.
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LENA DUNHAM
Feminist in the making.
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KANYE WEST
You, little angel, will one day discover Twitter.
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JENNIFER ANISTON
Always the fashion plate.
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JAMES FRANCO
Don’t worry, buddy: You’ll meet Seth Rogan in a few decades.
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STEVEN TYLER
Kind of never not cheesin’.
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SUSAN SARANDON
Forever young.
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MERYL STREEP
You’d be excited, too, if you were destined to be one of the best actresses in the world.
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BRAD PITT
Well, he certainly grew into himself.
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BARBRA STREISAND
A real jack-of-all-trades since childhood.
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MADONNA
Costume inspirations in the making.
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“It’s tough enough being a new mom for any of us, but imagine how pressured you’d feel with world’s press watching your every move and millions more commenting on social media,” she said. “If it takes her a few months to look totally at ease, then let’s give her that time.
“Mom-shaming Meghan for doing what millions of us have done is pointless and nasty. Let’s see some mom solidarity and support instead.”
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