...to ask what you think of this new breastfeeding video?

[clitorisorclitoraint]

I found it a tadge patronising.

You?

I thought the video looked a lot of fun to make and there was a nice feeling of women supporting other women and working as a team, which is definitely relevant to breastfeeding and mothering. Burlesque as a genre is a sort of satire on sexuality, really - it exaggerates and emphasises and subverts, and it's life affirming - and that life-affirming strand is relevant to bf as well :)

It's a novel way to present breastfeeding, and I love the fact it's been done on a shoestring with people's goodwill and enthusiasm as the main ingredient. I thought all the dancers looked wonderful - loved the hair and makeup, too.

The risk with anything like this is that you are banking on the hope that people will get the satire and for whatever reason, some people will not, or if they get it they won't appreciate it. People who have had a bad experience bf will not. People who just have a different sense of humour will not. You risk making them feel left out - and the women who had a bad experience are not, I don't think, likely to try again next time.

I also think it's a bit mad to have a name sexy sassy connected with bf on the web - anyone putting sexy sassy breastfeeding into google will get lactation porn.

On the other hand, there are lots of ways to present and promote bf, and if we worry too much about the effect on every individual, we won't get anywhere. The touchy-feeling soft lensed approach is one way; the 'look how boringly ordinary it is' is another way; and maybe 'you can wear black stockings and laugh at silly words for breasts!' is another way :)

DialsMavis what a lovely video :)

so the two cannot go together. i think that is sad. (not that i felt much like sex when i was bf - but can't a man or woman still find their partner sexy when nurturing their child?

I guess it's an issue of semantics, "sexy" in slang terms means interesting, appealing and gorgeous and charming.

I really can't see how this pressures anyone to be anything for anyone other than themselves

dollydoeshula - :o

Im with thaigreencurry on this one...I dont like it and the supposed creator "MidwifeVH" sounds like a bit of a sanctimonious arse what with her "formula is junk food for babies" and the like.

I don't want to be thought of as sexy when I'm in my nightie, covered in poop and sick and haven't washed my hair for a week. I'd want someone to say 'oh your poor love, here let me take that baby so you can go and pull yourself together'.

Being thought of as sexy implies a response of some sort on my part and I'd never feel less like being sexy than under those conditions. I'd appreciate it making my dh love me more, mother of his child and all that, but sexy? No.

Also, I've never not washed my hair for a week. Not even when dc3 was born. And I fully expect to stick with my clean hair once dc4 arrives.

That was at the cup cake comment btw.

I took the video to be an antidote to the 'my breasts are for my husband' mentality which some women (not all!) use to not bf. Denise van outen (I think it was) complained of not feeling sexy/attractive when bf - this video is addressing that sort of attitude surely?

I think some people are reading too much into it tbh. Just take it in the spirit it was intended - a fun way to promote bf. Personally, I don't see what is so offensive about a bf woman being sassy and sexy?

To the ladies that featured in the vid and have posted on here - I think you are all very brave! Looks like you had a lot of fun and you looked great - don't take the comments on here to heart!

I thought the statistics were somethig like 75% try ?

Sorry it's moved on loads since I last refreshed..

DialsMavis I love that :)

So what does everyone think could be done (realistically) to raise breastfeeding rates, if this video has missed the point for so many?

I've found that the books my dc bring home from school, ones that have babies in them, that is, none of them are breastfed, allure bottlefed.
Babies on tv, adult and childrens tv, vast majority are bottlefed.
Pregnancy and baby magazines are full of adverts for milk, bottles and all the paraphernalia involved. Articles about breastfeeding are often deeply flawed and describe best case scenarios ofbreastfeeding, not a realistic representation.
I'm finding now, with my 5 month old ds, i am the only one in the mother and baby group still feeding, and I'm getting more and more comments that it's time to give him a bottle, and I'm feeding him for my sake, not for his.
Go to any toy shop and look at the dolls, I'm pretty sure there'll be a bottle in there, but dare to admit that you've thrown the bottle away and you're labelled "militant".
Our society is pressurising mothers into formula feeding.
This video was a real chance to do something to redress the balance, and they make it about sex. (as muchfun as it might have been, and no matter how lighthearted, burlesque is slightly toned down stripping. Stripping is about sex.)
Sorry, this wasn't meant to be such a rant :o

I can see that a lot of work and thought has gone into it but, I have to say I got bored pretty quickly.
I don't see how it would encourage anyway to bf though.
More likely to say 'see, they are all nutters'

faverolles:
'So what does everyone think could be done (realistically) to raise breastfeeding rates, if this video has missed the point for so many?'

There are many things that can, and are, being done.

What of them is what you are doing: breastfeeding your baby. Many of us, in our small and unassuming ways, are doing our bit by breastfeeding as and when, in private and public, whether we work or stay and home, and this does help change attitudes. I have seen my families attitudes change and my own attitude change, the longer I have gone on to breastfeed.

Of course a lot more then this needs to be done - good midwives such as the ones who have posted on this thread - are playing a vital role in helping women breastfeed. And we need more of them.

In the media there are good examples of women breastfeeding, Charlotte Church for one. The problem is, for every Charlotte Church there are countless Denise van Outens.

And of course the Mumsnet breastfeeding boards are doing a lot of good work.

You're right Belgo :)

Can I just apologise for my rant before - not that it excuses it, but I've had a particularly bad day full of crap comments from friends about breastfeeding, and I lashed out in the wrong place.
Oh how I wish there was an edit button

Haven't read the whole thread, but am I the only one who thinks that it is a bit of harmless fun, that promotes breastfeeding, and that the burlesque bit is tongue in cheek i.e. demonstrating that boobs, rather than being the objects of sexual desire that society would like to have us believe, are actually there for feeding babies?

I think it is quite sweet, showing lots of mums having a bit of fun, and feeding their babies.

Can I ask a potentially really flamey question?

You so often hear accusations of BFing being done for the mother's sake, and not for the child's (especially extending BFing).

Now that is patently ridiculous with a tiny baby.

As the child is weaned, and so forth, is there any truth in saying that it is being done at least in part for the mother's sake? And if so - is there, actually, anything wrong with that? (Only a lunatic would think there was any physical gratification involved; when I hear the phrase 'for the mother's sake' I think of the mother feeling needed and precious, the sole provider of a particular experience, unique bonding time, etc. etc.)

I have a sister who BFed to about 19 months, and was quite open about loving BFing and not wanting to stop, so I think it was partially for her own sake - but again - is there, actually, anything wrong with that? After all - not only is no harm done, but positive good is done.

I am not sure if I have phrased that correctly and beg people not to take offence - this is a genuine question from an interested person!

I agree Beryl

I understand what you mean bloofer. Benefits for everybody, a win-win for all but therefore not solely for the child. Is that what you mean?

Having never got past 6months I'm not qualified to answer!

Yes, I think that's what I mean....I suppose when a woman is still BFing at 20 months I don't believe that she's solely doing it for the child, and that's absolutely fine to be doing it in part because you find it a precious and magical thing. And that there's nothing wrong with that!

Bloofer - I totally agree - of course women breastfeed for their own sake as well as for their baby's - nature is very clever like that - it's beneficial to the baby, so nature has ensured that it is enjoyable as well (barring the first few weeks of difficulty that many women experience).

And as you say - why shouldn't a mother do something she enjoys? Yesterday I had to treat all three of my children for nits. A horrible job, but a necessary one as a mother. Breastfeeding is one of those things that is good for the baby and good for me as well - and I am going to enjoy that perk because there aren't many perks of being a mother!

I liked the video. Didn't get that the 'cow' bit was the ff, rather seemed to me that it was comparing bf women with cows which doubtless is not the idea they wanted to get across, but anyhoo - I liked it. Fed up to the back teeth of ff adverts.

Normal women, normal shapes, promoting bf. Like.

I wasn't sure at first, but I like it on 2nd viewing, yes.

It is v. tongue in cheek.

The Mums and babies are gorgeous.

Fair play to them!

Bloofer, I was still BFing my son at 19 months because I loved it! He got a lot out of it too but if he didn't i'd have still done it and I dont think there is anything wrong with that.

Breastfeeding is pleasurable.. It is NICE, it's loving and gentle and makes you feel lovely. The oxytocin feeling is great, it make me feel loved up and chilled out and I had the best sleep I have ever had.

I am not ashamed of enjoying it why should I?

It's people using the words Sassy or Sexy when talking about it what make it feel ikky.. I struggle to think of any more inappropriate words to be honest.

Sexy burlesque dancers+ breastfeeding= something wonderful completely tainted.

The question of how to improve breastfeeding rates has been raised several times on this thread and the only answer is firstly NORMALISE it; Get rid of tiny tears bottles and include breastfeeding in soaps etc.

Secondly and most importantly.. SUPPORT.

New mums can be preached at 24/7 and have odd misguided videos rammed down their throat from dusk till dawn and they wont make an iota of difference. What is needed is a knowledgable midwifes TIME.

It's not getting women to start breastfeeding that is the problem, it's getting them to carry on.

I'm with BerylStreep - surely this is just mothers who already breastfeed (i.e. don't need evangelising to, or informing about bf) having a bit of fun, celebrating it, and also having a poke at all the daft names men people call our breasts, while reminding them what they're really for? I'm hardly unideological myself, but honestly? this is just for fun. No patronising meant.