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Original poster

Mumsnet undermining breastfeeding again.

621 replies

Redebs · 12/03/2023 11:52

Just read the Mumsnet article on caring for newborn babies. It's sponsored by a bottle manufacturer.

Much of it is misinformation that will seriously interfere with mothers' success with breastfeeding. For example trying to get a feeding routine for a two month old baby. This is totally against normal practice for on demand breastfeeding.

Anyone aiming for regular naps will be seriously frustrated and will think there is something wrong with them and their baby. Night feeding is treated as if it's a massive burden that should be shared by using a bottle.The massively negative impact of inaccurate information and expectations is aimed at discouraging breastfeeding.

There's a 'helpful' link to another article on 'combination feeding' aka introducing formula, along with references to a whole lot of bottle feeding products you should buy.

The WHO condemns companies that use misinformation and pressure on mothers not to breastfeed. While it may be subtly disguised, that is exactly what articles like this are doing.

And for money.

OP posts:
Prochoice11 · 13/03/2023 16:51

Twizbe · 13/03/2023 16:47

@Prochoice11 the (some variation of that) means that statements like 'I'm glad I don't have spaniel ears' 'my boobs were ruined' 'breastfeeding makes your boobs saggy' etc are all ways of saying don't do what boobs are biologically there for because you'll make them less attractive and that that attractiveness needs to be the most important factor.

If a woman can fix anything that makes her feel unhappy that’s upto her. I don’t women who don’t want to change that either. If I hadn’t escaped fairly unscathed I couldn’t deal with a screwed up tummy though but again that would be my choice to fix. Luckily not something I need to do as wouldnt want the scar. Live and let live I say x

Prochoice11 · 13/03/2023 16:49

Prochoice11 · 13/03/2023 16:44

I think ultimately (hopefully!!) the one thing we can ALL agree on is there should be ALL options available where possible and support to the mum whichever she chooses to do? Surely that’s the final say on it? Advertise bf and advertise ff and then the woman will choose what’s best for her? I can’t see there’s any debate to counter that level of fairness?

Just gonna leave this here (no bun fight)….

Letstaketotheskies · 13/03/2023 16:48

MoonSea · 13/03/2023 16:33

I can't face reading too much of this thread but I agree OP. Choice in feeding is not supported by adverts.

It would be nice to see Mumsnet respond to these concerns with their defence.

Yeah, don’t read the thread, especially the last 10 ish pages. It’s just the usual ridiculous bunfight. ‘Ladies of the Flies’ as a pp said. But, mumsnet have actually suspended the ad for a bit while they think about whether it’s what they want to promote. So the thread had an effect!

bussteward · 13/03/2023 16:47

Advertise neither because feeding babies shouldn’t be a commercial proposition.

Twizbe · 13/03/2023 16:47

@Prochoice11 the (some variation of that) means that statements like 'I'm glad I don't have spaniel ears' 'my boobs were ruined' 'breastfeeding makes your boobs saggy' etc are all ways of saying don't do what boobs are biologically there for because you'll make them less attractive and that that attractiveness needs to be the most important factor.

Prochoice11 · 13/03/2023 16:44

I think ultimately (hopefully!!) the one thing we can ALL agree on is there should be ALL options available where possible and support to the mum whichever she chooses to do? Surely that’s the final say on it? Advertise bf and advertise ff and then the woman will choose what’s best for her? I can’t see there’s any debate to counter that level of fairness?

Prochoice11 · 13/03/2023 16:42

Caviarandgelatine · 13/03/2023 16:36

I'm sat here laughing

Please go back and read it again, the original post that I was quoting and agreeing with. Just read what I posted again 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

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Me too it’s hilarious this thread 😂gotcha x

Caviarandgelatine · 13/03/2023 16:36

Prochoice11 · 13/03/2023 16:30

“Why on Earth do people think they are seen as sexual features rather than ears”? Ask your husband. Some find ears kinda hot though and they allow us to hear as their primary function)

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I'm sat here laughing

Please go back and read it again, the original post that I was quoting and agreeing with. Just read what I posted again 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

MoonSea · 13/03/2023 16:33

I can't face reading too much of this thread but I agree OP. Choice in feeding is not supported by adverts.

It would be nice to see Mumsnet respond to these concerns with their defence.

ReedRite · 13/03/2023 16:31

YouSoundLovely · 13/03/2023 14:44

Well, I obviously wouldn't go out of my way to specifically tell ff mothers that information, when it hadn't been asked for. That would be nasty. But in a general discussion around infant feeding, robust scientific findings absolutely have their place.

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Which scientific findings would you class as ‘robust’? As I haven’t seen findings I would categorise that way in support of breastfeeding, certainly not to anywhere near the same standard as is usually demanded to approve medical or health interventions.

Prochoice11 · 13/03/2023 16:30

Lovelyveg82 · 13/03/2023 16:19

Good grief

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“Why on Earth do people think they are seen as sexual features rather than ears”? Ask your husband. Some find ears kinda hot though and they allow us to hear as their primary function)

Caviarandgelatine · 13/03/2023 16:27

Prochoice11 · 13/03/2023 16:25

That you could ever be confused why boobs could be seen as sexual things?! Of course they are 😆they can multi task though luckily like us women 😂

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I'm not confused as to why breasts are seen as sexual things whatsoever

Prochoice11 · 13/03/2023 16:25

Caviarandgelatine · 13/03/2023 16:22

Good grief what?

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That you could ever be confused why boobs could be seen as sexual things?! Of course they are 😆they can multi task though luckily like us women 😂

Prochoice11 · 13/03/2023 16:24

YouSoundLovely · 13/03/2023 16:22

It's OK, my eldest is 18 soon :)

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My eldest is too :) amazing when all this is a distant and completely minor memory 😂💃

YouSoundLovely · 13/03/2023 16:22

Prochoice11 · 13/03/2023 14:47

The kids will come across far worse than baby formula as they grow. Sugar…aspartame in diet drinks…alcohol….and they are the minor things:) don’t sweat the very minor risks associated with formula chick x

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It's OK, my eldest is 18 soon :)

Caviarandgelatine · 13/03/2023 16:22

Lovelyveg82 · 13/03/2023 16:19

Good grief

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Good grief what?

Prochoice11 · 13/03/2023 16:21

Twizbe · 13/03/2023 16:18

Yes.

It's sad though when you see women being told to not use their breasts for their biological function because men won't then find them sexy (or some variation of that)

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Who is telling women ‘not to use them for biological function’? They are just giving them options based on circumstances/choices aren’t they?

Lovelyveg82 · 13/03/2023 16:19

Caviarandgelatine · 13/03/2023 16:13

Yes to the biological view. Why on earth do people think they're seen as sexual features rather than say, ears?

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Good grief

Twizbe · 13/03/2023 16:18

Prochoice11 · 13/03/2023 16:16

Just to add ladies boobs don’t have to be one or the other. You can be sexy hot functional and a great mum. I embrace it all x

Yes.

It's sad though when you see women being told to not use their breasts for their biological function because men won't then find them sexy (or some variation of that)

Prochoice11 · 13/03/2023 16:16

Just to add ladies boobs don’t have to be one or the other. You can be sexy hot functional and a great mum. I embrace it all x

Lovelyveg82 · 13/03/2023 16:15

Caviarandgelatine · 13/03/2023 16:08

She's 11, she knows what breasts are, she's not an idiot

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oh dear 😂

Prochoice11 · 13/03/2023 16:14

Caviarandgelatine · 13/03/2023 16:13

Yes to the biological view. Why on earth do people think they're seen as sexual features rather than say, ears?

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Ears don’t increase in size during orgasm
and nipples are sensitive to touch in foreplay. You don’t find men pausing baywatch to look at bouncing ears in slow motion. I’m ok with that though. Doesn’t bother me 😃

Caviarandgelatine · 13/03/2023 16:13

Twizbe · 13/03/2023 16:10

@Lovelyveg82 that's what I've told my 4 year old daughter (just to save you searching it's a few of my comments down in response to what I'd say if she didn't breastfeed)

At 4 I think it's ok to know that women have breasts because that's how mammals feed their babies. I'm not sure she's old enough to be told that they are also secondary sexual features (btw there is a biological view that the reason breasts are sexual features is because they suggest an ability to raise young)

Yes to the biological view. Why on earth do people think they're seen as sexual features rather than say, ears?

Prochoice11 · 13/03/2023 16:12

Twizbe · 13/03/2023 16:10

@Lovelyveg82 that's what I've told my 4 year old daughter (just to save you searching it's a few of my comments down in response to what I'd say if she didn't breastfeed)

At 4 I think it's ok to know that women have breasts because that's how mammals feed their babies. I'm not sure she's old enough to be told that they are also secondary sexual features (btw there is a biological view that the reason breasts are sexual features is because they suggest an ability to raise young)

Ah interesting x use them as you each wish I say:)

Prochoice11 · 13/03/2023 16:11

Caviarandgelatine · 13/03/2023 16:09

Where did I say that I told my husband that? I said that when I was BFing I found it powerful to be using them for their intended purpose.

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And that’s great 😃 I felt powerful having mine back to myself and using formula. See I guess we all do what’s right for us x