To think the bf flash mob thing that is happening on Friday is a bit smug?

[Piggyleroux]

I bf my 15 mo ds and found bf quite straightforward from the off. I am aware that I was extremely lucky and I know a lot of women really struggle with it. I am also aware that bfing rates in this country are among the lowest in europe.

However, I think bfing needs to be normalised and I feel that this demonstration only serves to sensationalise bfing and imo, make the women taking part seem a bit smug and 'look at me' iyswim and just make people who ff feel even more shit.

Wouldnt it be better for bfing women to openly bf in public rather than do a mass gathering on one day? It really doesn't sit ring with me and I don't think that it will change attitudes or help women who really struggle with bfing.

Aibu?

I think a lot of the posts on here have an undercurrent of guilt with the fact that they didn't BF, for whatever reason. How people can honestly believe a man made product is superior to nature is beyond me!

There is no guilt from me! And I dont believe that anyone said that formula is superior to breast milk. This issue is that some (NOT ALL before I get flamed!) BF mums believe themselves to be superior to FF mums.

I have been the victim of this superiority and from the POV of someone who couldnt BF if my life, or my baby's, depended on it, that is upsetting and makes me angry. I fully endorse the campaign for increased support for BF, as i do believe that there are alot of women who give up simply because they dont know what they are doing and need help. But being smug and having lactitude about BF will put alot of people off trying if they are unsure, not encourage them!

Maybe the rates are low because lots of women dont actually want to breastfeed....it doesnt fit with their expectation/lifestyle/other children/partner/next doors dog/cant be arsed/cant see the point/body concious/used formula before and happy with results/work commitments/study commitments/medication/clothing they want to wear/weight/feelings/sexlife/whatever.

Everyone who gives birth in this country knows about bf, they tend to even have breasts of their own and know uses of such things. but they choose not to anyway. i doubt its all down to ignorance (if my experience of being shoved down my throat all the bloomin time was anything to go by) or lack of support. Lots of people just dont want to.

BabyDubs, I totally agree.

There is the patronising attitude that alot of women dont BF because they are somehow too stupid to realise what a wonderful thing it is for their child. I dont think there is a woman in this country who has given birth in the last 5 years that doesnt know about the benefits of BF and BM. But, they have chosen not to, so leave them alone!

Increasing support for those that want to BF is a good thing, and I fully support the campaign for that. Its the attempted bullying of those that choose not to that really gets to me. :(