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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

In thinking that Jo Frost should shut the fuck up about breastfeeding

251 replies

spudulika · 11/07/2011 22:54

... as she clearly knows nothing about it.

If you want proof have a look at the new Jo Frost magazine (no need to buy it of course, just do what I do - rifle through it at the supermarket Blush). Article on breastfeeding 'how long, and when to stop'.

She seems to think that 'weaning' means stopping breastfeeding.

And she feels the need to say 'I'm the biggest fan of breastfeeding, but I don't think mothers should be made to feel like the scum of the earth for not doing it. Whatever choice you make is fine!' To which I want to respond: if I wanted to read vapid platitudes about breastfeeding I'd go to Netmums. It's free. Whereas your magazine costs... bloody loads.

It's just not asseptable.

She needs to pull her socks up.

OP posts:
HalfTermHero · 12/07/2011 00:20

the OP?

sundayrose10 · 12/07/2011 00:59

I love these titty milk or animal milk threads.

hairfullofsnakes · 12/07/2011 04:32

Alabama - WHO gave you all your authority to speak about the WHO's guidelines for bf??????

Two years of bf is recommended for it's amazing benefits to a child so please please don't tell us there is 'no need' to bf for so long when the WHO recommends it for good reason. Bf for two years has benefits to children wherever they are.

Oh and JO FROST IS A WOMAN - more facts you need to get straight...

DancingWind · 12/07/2011 05:05

What exactly did she say that is annoying? If some woman doesn't want to bf, thats her life! Obviously, that doesn't make her a "bad" motherAngry.
If that is what Jo was saying, I agree.
And so what if she doesn't have kids? Male consultants(and many female consultants/midwives) have never given birth, but they deliver babies. My friends have the best nannies for their children.Two out of the three have never had children themselves, but they are spot on about how to bring the children up.
What exactly is the debate? I know Jo Frost has a tendency to ramble on......

differentnameforthis · 12/07/2011 05:23

I think it is unacceptable that you seem to be taking the piss out the way she talks...

TillyIpswitch · 12/07/2011 06:29

AlabamaWorley - that old chestnut! Just because the developed world has access to clean water and methods of sterilising doesn't suddenly make breast milk an inferior substance or in any way redundant! Grin

As for Jo Whatseface, meh... I don't give a toss how other people feed their babies. I'm happy that mine were/are being given breast milk beyond 1 year of age; that's all that matters to me. Not what other people get up to.

Original poster
spudulika · 12/07/2011 06:31

Why?

She doesn't have a speech impediment She mispronounces words on purpose. She must do - unless she's surrounded by people who are too scared to say, 'Actually Jo it's unaCCeptable'. It's an affectation.

As to the person who asked when we'll stop taking an interest in this subject - well that'll happen when children's health stops being a subject of concern to the wider public.

I wouldn't hold your breath.

Amazed btw at the number of people who are keen to turn thread from being about crap information to being about bf vs ff. Come on. Let's not eh?

OP posts:
fastweb · 12/07/2011 06:39

Why not?

Aside from all the other reasons, because it is not working.

Unless those who advocate breastfeeding are content with the rate of BFing uptake and the length of time most women stick with it ? Which they wouldn't seem to be given the constant lament that not enough mothers do it and even fewer stick with it for long enough.

The "big stick" method has been a significant tool since I got pregnant over a decade ago, it still is today. The only difference I can see is that today there is something of a backlash, in the sense there is now a far more widespread public perception of visible\vocal BFers to be potentially of the "smuggy knickers" variety. What a PR coup.

I don't think the more hardcore lactivists appear willing to give up their big stick though, regardless of all the evidence to suggest it is a case of them shooting themselves in the foot if increased\maintained uptake of BFing is one of their primary goals. It is a strong possibility that the perceived moral right and responsibility to badger, berate and belittle is of greater value to those who employ such tactics, than any increase in BFing rates.

(De rigure BFing track record - very lucky, quite easy compared to most, bar horrible bit at about 3 weeks, thank god for breastfeeding.com forums, went on to BFed my son for first year of life. Would like to see time, energy, money and expertise focused in the main on helping those who want to breastfeed. Because NOT being able to do what you want to do, cos there is not enough instruction and support, minimizes choices for women.)

StealthPolarBear · 12/07/2011 06:46

the WHO guidelines are at leas two years
And, as the name implies, they apply to the world, which, last time I chcked, the UK was part of

Original poster
spudulika · 12/07/2011 07:00

Do you want to provide some examples of where women are 'berated' and 'badgered' to breastfeed? Other than the rare voice which is heard (and quickly shouted down) on an Internet forum?

Seriously - you must have lots of examples of published comment to back you view up that women are being persecuted when it comes to feeding choices. Hmm

OP posts:
sausagesandmarmelade · 12/07/2011 07:06

Completely agree with her...

No mum should be made to feel the scum of the earth for not BFing!

Well done her!

Original poster
spudulika · 12/07/2011 07:08

Meant to add that actually bf rates have gone up HUGELY in the past decade. Where I live we have a bf initiation rate of 85%. So women ARE influenced by the health information they receive.

And CONTINUEING rates are largely reliant on women having good information and help - which is what this thread is about. Most women who stop bf stop because of avoidable problems like nipple soreness and perceived supply problems ( often linked with early supplementation).

Please don't turn this into a thread demonising bf advocacy. It's been done to death here.

OP posts:
fraktious · 12/07/2011 07:09

Actually Jo Frost has no childcare qualifications of any kind. Not even a 20 year old NNEB.

I do think spouting advice without presenting the other side is damaging. I have no issue with what she said, more with what she didn't say. It's absolutely a personal choice, any is better than none, women shouldn't be made to feel guilty but normalising weaning from the breast when solids are introduced isn't right.

Goblinchild · 12/07/2011 07:09

'Do you want to provide some examples of where women are 'berated' and 'badgered' to breastfeed? '

My NCT class. Didn't bother going back after I'd staggered half way through the course.
Yes, I bf. Yes it hurt like buggery for about three months. Both times.
Not anyone else's business how a baby gets fed, provided said baby is happy and full. I've seen much happier newborn/parent relationships once the mother had stopped feeling like a failure and being advised by all the breast feeding enthusiasts.

sausagesandmarmelade · 12/07/2011 07:10

The thread is about what Jo Frost said....Spud...and whether it was unreasonable.

I don't think so!

Goblinchild · 12/07/2011 07:10

She's a TV personality with an opinion, like thousands of others. That's all.

Original poster
spudulika · 12/07/2011 07:13

Why is it admirable for her to state the blindingly obvious and in the process imply that it's a commonly held opinion that ff mums are seen as 'the scum of the earth'. How does that help? It's a comment designed to stir up bad feeling and polarise opinion on this issue.

OP posts:
fraktious · 12/07/2011 07:15

Actually the more I think about this it's not those who quit BFing after 6 hours/days/weeks that this will impact, it's those who have a happy, successful, BFing relationship that will feel they should stop because they've introduced solids.

Many women start BFing and continue as long as they feel they can. There's something to be said for providing support and encouragement to continue (not pressure). It's no-one's place to tell them to stop.

Original poster
spudulika · 12/07/2011 07:15

No - she's seen as an 'expert' on babies and children. She has a responsibility not to publish information on breastfeeding which is clearly inaccurate.

OP posts:
sausagesandmarmelade · 12/07/2011 07:16

To some, she is not stating the blindingly obvious.

Some (and I've see it on here) have a completely opposite view.

She was asked for her opinions, she gave them....you don't have to buy or read her magazine so what's the problem?

sausagesandmarmelade · 12/07/2011 07:18

I really don't understand why women get so het up about the choices of other women!

Whether women choose to bf or ff (for whatever personal reasons they have), it shouldn't matter to anyone else.

It's THEIR choice!

Goblinchild · 12/07/2011 07:19

Are mothers really so uncertain as to structure their parenting choices around the opinion of one TV personality?
I suppose many are, otherwise we wouldn't have so many factions following different parenting regimes as they trundle past waving the latest book/DVD.
I'm sure the babies will cope.

Original poster
spudulika · 12/07/2011 07:19

You are right Fraktious. Women who are still bf at 6 months may already feel under pressure to stop because they are in such a minority and may have family and friends who are uncomfortable about them feeding an older baby. You regularly see posts saying this on the bf board here.

OP posts:
foreverondiet · 12/07/2011 07:22

Like it or not, those views in BFing (ie most benefit before 6 months) are mainstream medical opinion. Was told that by both GP and pediatrician.

Yes these is some benefit after 6 months, but the benefits are less. If you aren't keen to continue for the WHO 2 years, 6 months is a reasonable goal.

I agree that breast is best but that no one should be made to feel bad if they don't do it, so I don't really see your problem.

In terms of the question of whether she's had children - sorry thats totally irrelevant here.

Peachy · 12/07/2011 07:23

Not having kids of your own doesdn;t meran you are bad but I do know a charity that will only recruit parents for their work along the same lines and that's becuase they feel people need to understand that role from an inside POV (step aprents, adoptive all OK). It works.

Personally, as one who studies ahrd for quals in a reated field, some of the kids she works with have clear behavioural disorders and I just pray they are seeing someone from Paeds or CAMHs alongside the programme. I also feind her 'just sort it our' attitude causes quite a bit of distress to aprents trying to do that with children who have SN and are struggling.