To demand a harder hitting campaign to promote breastfeeding?

[WashwithCare]

I?m sometimes taken aback to hear mothers gave up bf-ing because it was sore, or involved feeding for hours at a time? What did they expect? What did they think newborns do? Didn?t they imagine that anything chewing on your nipple for 10 hours a day was going to nip a bit?

But then again, who can blame them? Breastfeeding for the minimum WHO recommendation of 2 years is practically unheard of. Nearly everyone will tell you it?s absolutely your decision, and fine to stop. The public info campaign is fluffy and vague about the benefits, and the baby on the follow-on formula milk box looks decidedly peachy. Lots of women are so mis-informed, they believe that formula is almost as good as breastmilk.

Is it time for something a little harder hitting? How about this for a tv ad; (scene 1) mum feeding her newborn a bottle telling her mate how hard bf-ing was. Caption: Breastfeeding Hurts. (scene 2) same mum, but now older, bald and sick, hugs toddler. Caption: So does breast cancer. FADE to caption: "Breastfeeding significantly Reduces your Life Time Risk of Breast Cancer". Followed by cheesy inspirational slogan.

Oh Good Grief

WTF ?

Are you taking the piss?

FFS...

Now to hide this thread or stand back and watch?

don't give up your day job - I'll get your coat.

Yes dear.

Now take this tablet and lie down in a darkened room for a few centuries hours.

You really are a total and unter fuckwit.

I am really really starting to like you. Add me to your list of followers.

Jesus. If you're being serious, then yes, YABExtremelyU. It's a completely tasteless and ridiculous idea.

Which bit of the OP do you disagree with?

I accept the commerical might need some work... I was trying to encapsulate something about bf-ing being difficult, but the benefits being immense iyswim

None of my babies have "chewed" my nipples. I don't think that's why breastfeeding hurts.

Hmmm.

I'm all for a bit more vocalising on the total benefits of bfing but I think your approach OP will probably reduce bfing rates.

Actually, I'd rather any money on the issue was spent on lactation specialists employed to specifically support women with problems bfing.

Do you work for Nestle?

Telling people breast is best, the reasons why and arming them with the information they need to make an informed decision is enough. People do not need to be bullied into breast feeding.

Riiiiiiight, so only Boden, parents on benefits not to have children and working parents to go now. Oooh, and parent/toddler spaces of course.

Go on, see if you can get them all on here tonight!

Oooh, someone wants a bunfight!

I thought the point of breastfeeding was the benefits to your child. Any benefits you get are lovely, but hardly the point. FFS! BFing for selfish reasons... what next?!

Thanks Caen... do we have to get a broom? I'm new to this bonding thing....

I think actually that what every civilised country needs is an army of breastfeeding enforcers, with a uniform and everything, who will break your front door and throw your bottles and steriliser into the street before shaving your head. Now That would be hard-hitting. None of your half-arsed tv ad campaigns.

Yer, cos that's such a regular scenario isn't it - young mums die all the time of breast cancer.

How charming.

As someone who lost a friend to cancer and who watched her hold her toddler for the last time your post is sick.

Lazy mothers! If you don't breastfeed you'll get breast cancer!

Yep, I can see that one catching on...

spongebrain How awful

I really hope you are kidding!

I breast fed until 8-months, but it was my daughter who decided to give up, NOT me. I was one of a twin and my sister died of cot death so my mum (through stress and upset) gave up breast feeding me at 3 months. I am very healthy and have not suffered.

I loved breast feeding my daughter and would support and advise anyone who wants me to, however, yesterday the news announced that some scientist believe formula to in fact be better for babies. We can't win. Are you scientifically trained in this field?

Please don't take this the wrong way but only a mother can make the decision as to what is best for her baby - perhaps a well-rested mum is better than a shattered one who breast feeds. Who are you or I to say or judge. There are so many areas of parenting where people look on and judge but you never know the full story and if you haven't experienced colic and reflux (as I did where I had to stop mid feed to mix cooled boiled water with powder to syringe into my dd's mouth before continuing), or any of the many issues babies have, you cannot possibly look down on women who are unable to do this.

Lighten up and stop guilt-tripping women. Mums feel guilty enough.

BDSM - don't be greedy, lets do one at a time...

What a silly attitude Annie - the point of bf-ing is that's it natural and there are lots of benefits to bf-ing to baby and Mum - reducing your risk of ovarian cancer and breast cancer are just two of the many advantages- how on earth can that be selfish?