Milk is an important source of nutrients that you and your family shouldn’t miss out on. If someone in your family has lactose intolerance and the rest of the family still want to enjoy the taste of real milk, try Lactofree - the UK’s first virtually lactose-free dairy drink.
I rather hope that the storyline would be continued and Maggie would persuade her daughter to BF again
Also, I thought that if I had suddenly stopped BF like the character did - had I clasped my norks in that way the next day I would have been in agony and would most likely have spurted breast milk everywhere
All in all a crap storyline, and as you say, unnecessary.
I don't think she meant the formula when she said 'Magic Formula always works' she had said she was havuing problems getting her to sleep and Tess said well when she does try and get some rest maybe. Then Tes said 'If mums happy, Babies happy' 'It's the magic formula, always works'
Well thats how I took it! Guess who had a crap Sat nite eh?
I saw it and it was fairly ambigious whether she meant the 'formula' itself being magical or happy mum, happy baby being the magic formula. Bit strange to use the word 'formula' though in a conversation about formula if you're not refering to formula itself.
Personally I don't have much of a problem with it as I don't think tv programmes have a particularly strong responsibility to be always morally right and trying to lead by example.
There might be good reason for the BFing to have stopped, Ruth looked a bit strange with the baby last night and then there was a 'ooh guess what ruth does' type advert, so ^maybe* the bottles play a part in the storyline, fi they do, then it's reasonable to stick it in there, but I didn't like the claimed them back line, it could've actually been her saying 'Well, Toby. you can drink whilst you BF, but I've stopped doing it now...' and therefore got some info into it, but no
I think they should be accurate in their medical claims though. A doctor asking whether she should be drinking as she was breastfeeding will make people think you can't drink and bf.
I am still shocked how many of my 'intelligent' friends don't even consider bf - I am 11wks pg with dc3 (bf my other 2) and just got my baby pack from mw - I want to leave info open on the page that says with bf your child is less likely to have ear problems, urine infections, skin probs, bowel probs plus you are less likely to have ovarian cancer etc - I just don't get why this wouldn't make you bf even if you didn't want to. 2 of my fiends kids have ear and urinary tract probs all the time and no bf - do you think this ever crosses their minds?
The use of the phrase 'Magic formula' with it's double meaning was just crass and frankly, unacceptable in a national television channel which was at the time representing the NHS. I know if I complained to the BBC they would argue that the character meant HAPPY MUM=HAPPY BABY was a 'magic formula' but I know that the actual meaning was 'Processed cows milk is magic' as its known as 'formula'. Very clever as they wont' accept any complaints about it I'm sure. The fact is, that if a Mum is happy to beat her child senseless or take heroin, does that make for a happy baby? It's a stupid formula anyway and in no way magic.
do you know i've never thought about that before, harps, much as i've always loathed the expression. god, it's even more crass than i'd previously thought.
It did seem like a strange storyline to me. I think it'll probably continue - Maggie is obviously being portrayed as the "sensible" one and her daughter as the no-good 'un. And from someone who recently stopped breastfeeding (and yes, shock horror, I am now using the "magic formula" ), I can confirm that there is no way I would have been able to just stop feeding and go out that night without lots of pain/leaking etc.
Perhaps she'll get a blocked duct or mastitis. That'll teach her to be such a hussy and snog old Dr Toby "I'm a completely crap doctor but at least I'm nice to my patients"....
gawd you have nothing better to do than scan tv for examples of ff skulduggery.watch the telly and dont be so anal.so what if a fictional character fictionally feeds.it is tv NOTREAL
Well I don't scan the tv, but I do often watch Casualty, and it leapt out. The BBC have a responsibility to not mis-educate imo - if popular culture portrays ff as being the norm (eastenders) or bf being problematic and ff the solution (casualty) then women are going to accept that that is the way, and it will compromise breast feeding.
I was also surprised there wasn't a thread last night, but was in no mood to start one. I think the BBC should be ashamed of themselves. They bend over backwards to be utterly PC in every respect. Then they have a golden opportunity, not to promote bf necessarily but at least show it in a positive light, and what do they do? Trot out all the old myths. Good one Auntie Beeb.
there was a thread last night that sort of covered these issues, but it wasn't sparked by Casualty, I don't think.
FWIW, I broadly agree with Roca, but got roundly ticked off last night so ain't saying anything more tonight. promised myself I'd try to behave and not be so judgemental.
That really is bizarre. Are all the writers on Casualty blokes? Because no-one that I know in RL or on MN goes out to the pub to celebrate that they've "claimed back" their breasts (for her DH/DP???). There are so many MN threads where people are sad that it didn't work out, or even feel guilty.
I didn't see this but it took me months before I stopped leaking milk and I started mixed feeding at 3mo. I really think the BBC should get their act together.
It's Casualty. That show should have been done away years ago, it's so discriminatory and biased - so many ridiculous stereoptypes I can't believe they still get away it.
Many women can't breastfeed, or breastfeed for as long as they can before switching to formula. When bf doesn't work out it could be encouraging for a despondent mum to see a TV character switching to FF with nairy a backward glance. How many of you were FF? how many of your DPs/Dhs? As a result you're/they're not all rickets-ridden thick-arses are you? .
I agree with all that has been said and bfed dd till 19mths.
But surely the reality is that, unfortunately imo, for thousands of women ff is normal. It is a personal choice, surely? I think bf is best and long for the day that I can bf #2 but I would not judge another mum who chose not/ was unable to.
How many new mums would take nutrition advice from a programme like Casualty? Would that many of them really watch Casualty and say 'oh well, Tess says it's alright so I'll give it up'?
I think that generally they have more gumption...
<<bb runs off and hides, ready for the mn backlash>>
I think that at the end of the day since having my DS Casualty and Love Soup are my only form of entertainment on a Saturday night and I don't intend to 'Boycott' Casualty as a result of a comment or scene which I'm sorry is just as normal as breastfeeding it wouldn't be realistic for everyone in TV LAND to BF would it? I didnt and there are many more like me so why should everyone on TV?
No formula certainly isn't poison, and I've just been arguing about that on the other thread that was mentioned. But switching to formula as a last resort is very different from having a character switch because, apparently, she can't be arsed and she wants her boobs back. Of course any woman is entitled to switch to formula for whatever reasons she chooses, but it isn't a helpful message to put out there.
You know you're right about that Aitch. When they used to feature the obstetrics ward on Holby City, you could pretty much guarantee that any pregnancy complication was caused by the mother being a loose woman.
and all Welsh people are clod-hopping, thick yokels, all Scottish people have drink problems, all Asian women are cowed and abused by the men in their lives, etc.
i didn't either, FAQ, cos my supply was so shite. but it's not the norm, i don't think. and i do think on matters of public health the bbc should remember their public service remit (where it's not dramatically important either way, obv. if the situation develops it might be interesting, having said that).
This site is largely populated by middle-class, well-educated women who sacrifice their sex life/drinking life/eating oranges life for six months plus so they can do the right thing. But this is not "normal". The majority of women in this country don't even start Bfing.
<I never post on bf/ff threads ... walk away from the thread>>
Oh dear... I managed to bf and eat have sex/drink wine/eat oranges. And I'm sure as hell not middle class or particularly well educated.
Was I getting it all wrong?
The point is that bf is physiologicallynormal. The fact that it is culturally not the norm in this country is Not Good and should be challenged by public service organisations. Such as the BBC.
Obv. eating oranges is more important than giving my baby the best start in life (with usual disclaimer that I was lucky it came easily to me etc.), but perhaps I should re-examine my priorities.
(Though actually I did eat oranges. And have sex.)
"sacrifice their sex life/drinking life/eating oranges life"..
Wtf?
You can drink when you are breastfeeding. You can't get absolutely trollied, unless you have a babysitter and some EBM, but I wouldn't have thought you would get absolutely trollied if you were ff either unless you had a babysitter...
You can have sex when you're breastfeeding. Many do, believe it or not. How do you think so many posters on here that have breastfed have more than one dc?
You can also eat oranges when you're breastfeeding. Don't let anyone tell you any different.
"The majority of women in this country don't even start Bfing"
That's not true. In fact nearly 80% start breastfeeding. The trouble is many struggle to get it going for a wide variety of reasons including lack of support from HCPs, partners, friends, relatives etc., lack of understanding, myths surrounding bf (e.g. you can't have sex or drink or eat oranges when you're bfing), and so many more reasons.
I find your suggestion that because I (almost - was bullied into formula top ups briefly without being told of the risks) exclusively breastfed my ds for six months and am still bfing him now (13 months - ) I am some sexless teetotaler with scurvy!
And we know that what goes on on Casualty does sink in, from the stories you hear about people managing to to mouth-to-mouth or whatever because they'd 'seen it on Casualty'.
So it would be a good place for bf to be shown as normal. No fuss, no storyline - just showing babies being bf as the norm.
no, the BBC is a public service broadcaster that has in the past frequently used drama to highlight the issue of domestic violence, HIV, rape etc and made Real Differences and should be justifiably proud of its record. weird, therefore, that it seems to undermine bfing at every turn. (hon. exception Billy and Honey Mitchell, rather brilliantly). because let's be honest, apart from that it doesn't show bfing At All, which is no more 'real' than showing ff all the time.
Well thought that was going to kick off there if I had said it would have.... Must be coz I'm Scottish so must have a drink problem and am an aggressive drunk wi my kilt and wee bootle of whisky in my sporran oh an my lovely ginger hair!
Have no idea WTF am wittering on about! LMFAO at ME!
But seriously far too many women start out wanting toBF then recieve total lack of info and support so maybe they should convey this in one of their programs!
My thoughts exactly Spidermama. Just have a woman breastfeeding in the background, drop things into conversation etc. Because women DO breastfeed in this country, except on TV.
I seem to get everything wrong. Currently am BF DD on one arm, holding pint of cider with other arm, and DH is feeding me peeled satsuma segmants in frisky manner. Am now aware that this is not correct procedure and will cease immediately and go and watch some soaps.
FF is thenorm, more babies BF and Mixed Feed than exclusive BF Overall, only 35 per cent of UK babies are being exclusively *breastfed at 1 week, 21 per cent 1t 6 weeks, 7 per cent at 4 months and 3 per cent at 5 months. source this page
Exactly - just have it as a 'normal' thing that happens. Might challenge that whole 'b/feeding is disgusting, it's like having a poo in public' Daily Mail type ranting that women STILL in 2008 have to suffer - from the general public, and people in authority (eg asking people to leave shopping centres) - it is a total disgrace that in this time in this country there is STILL a prevailing attitude that feeding your baby is something better suited to a lavatory than anywhere else.
what's yer point, niceshoes? when have you ever seen a known character bfing in a long running drama? (Mitchells excepted). tbh, when have you ever seen a guest character bfing? it does happen, niceshoes...
And as for Honey Mitchell bf - yes a start, but interesting how she is the drippy hippy of EE, whereas Tanya (independent, sexy, successful businesswoman etc etc) was ff her baby.
Quite. Make the flaky character that nobody wants to identify with bf. Hmm.
Best pro-bf stance I ever saw was in 'Neighbours' when Libby (feisty, clever young journalist) was discussing her newborn with her mother (headteacher) - how feeding had enhanced bonding and she now realised what her norks were for! Aww, quite trailblazing for a daytime soap, I thought.
soap operas regularly have adultery,crime,violence none of which compels their viewing public to copy these actions.so why would they copy FF. i watch tv for escapism and tbh don't notice whether the baby is eating fruit fecking shoots or FF
It contributes to an entire cultural picture though.
In isolation, each incidence of ff being shown as normal/superior does seem insignificant. Added together, they do influence public perception and attitudes.
'You can drink when you are breastfeeding. You can't get absolutely trollied, unless you have a babysitter and some EBM, but I wouldn't have thought you would get absolutely trollied if you were ff either unless you had a babysitter'
no,trying to make up bottles correctly when seeing double due to severe hangover,while trying not to puke due to the smell,kind of put you off the idea of having more than the odd glass of wine
i didnt think lack of sex life in the first 6 months was relative to feeding methods anyway?
<reversethepolarity-are you aware there is a new PN thread?>
ah aitch, true. but remember sean in corrie after violet had the baby moaning about her bf?
niceshoes, people identify with these character, or they want to. how many women had their hair cut in the rachel? why do we have laws in place about product placement if we arent affected in some way by what we watch? if a woman is surrounded by an unsupportive network and is unsure about bf or struggling and feeling disillusioned would a woman claspin her milk free norks shouting that she's "claimed them back" have an effect on her?
Don't know if it's been done before but I think tey should do a storyline about someone who has to fight to get proper info about BF rather than half arsed help because this happens to so many people( myself included) and should be highlighted. It might show people who think they are a bit useless to start with taht it isn't always their fault and cn be down to medical staff being unsupportive!
Random point I know but it happens a hell of a lot In RL!
another good point about product placement, in fact advertising in general, lissie. a lot of companies spending money on tv ads if we're not influenced by them.
i remember sean moaning about bfing, that was another left-field comment. of course his character would very well have made those comments, but with nothing from violet it was just weird.
i think tbh it was made worse by the subsequent discussion about "flopping them out" and marcus (the health professional) not speaking up about the benefis of bf to both mother and baby. because we all know about the benefits to baby, but hear little about the benefits for mum
Thanks Pesha! Not chuckie egg though, I preferred manic miner...
I do think these programs have a huge part to play though as their audience is so large. And they do understand this - whenever I watch E'enders with my parents they will suddenly shout "public information message" just before an "issue" is tackled. I don't watch soaps much now but I do think their messages are much more widely broadcast than your average BF pamphlet or whatever, and they know that. It's a shame if they don't see BF as an "issue" to be confronted and more as just a vehicle for a storyline.
It's illegal thoguh YBND, and, if you want to go there, unfair on the otehr companies, if one gets their milk on TV, surely the otehrs should too? Which then would become a free for all of advertising formula milk .A lot of people emailed EE about that SMA and not long later they had their own 'infant formula' brand, made up like their alcohol is.
Excuse me? I answered your post, quite nicely I think, incase you were not aware of the issue with product placement. and you reply with 'FGS' Your post indicated you found the way you made tanya sound, amusing, nothing else so I asumed it was a serious question.
VS- Yes FGS-For Gods Sakes incase ur wondering. I thought it was blatantly obvious!!! U just need to get my sense of humour I guess! Oh well I found it funny LMFAO soz better add an emoticon so people know I'm being funny...
Before I forgt and while am here! Totally changing the subject does anyone know of a lightweight, compactish 3 wheeler that does a big 2 year old? Need new one as DS has grown out of Emmaljunga Cerox and Jane Energy!
jordan OK photoshoot should give you all plaenty to yap about because she is such a goodrolemodel and we alldoevetthing someone vaguely famous does...Doh
PS does that mean that more pregnant women got drunk pregnant because she did ? or do we only selectively copy the celebs or EastEnders
Gwyneth Paltrow was a natural birth all the i am woman who elected for CS for next baby does that mean all formerly earth mothers now want CS justbecausesomeonefamousdid
go figure
we dont all do what we see or read in TV or magazines we do have choices.
niceshoes, once again its not just about the product placement (although it is actually against the code drawn up by FM companies and BMA) it is also about the comments made be jordan in that article. it undermines bf and for many women who are nervous bfers will do absolutely nothing to boost their confidence. for as long as we see breasts as solely sexual things and ff as the normal thing to do, bfing figures will continue to drop and more women who want to bf will be unable to get access to the proper help and advice. we are already losing the instinctive ability to bf, lets not lose the choice too!
Milk is an important source of nutrients that you and your family shouldn’t miss out on. If someone in your family has lactose intolerance and the rest of the family still want to enjoy the taste of real milk, try Lactofree - the UK’s first virtually lactose-free dairy drink.
that there wasn't a thread earlier! 
), I can confirm that there is no way I would have been able to just stop feeding and go out that night without lots of pain/leaking etc.
. 
