To be disgusted at Dove for their breastfeeding advert 'put them away!

[LadyTennantofTardis]

www.google.co.uk/amp/www.bbc.co.uk/news/amp/40478372

Tequil - you've misread it. It's actually horribly judgemental. It's not saying, "75% of women are happy to breastfeed in public, while 25% would prefer not to" or "75% of women breastfeed, while 25% bottlefeed". It's saying that 25% of people think other women should "put them away".

So it's not about supporting parenting choices at all. It's about not judging a certain parenting choice vs judging it.

It's saying that 25% of people think other women should "put them away".

It's saying that 25% of people think if you're breastfeeding, you should do it discreetly - it's obviously been worded more controversially to get people talking about it.

I can't decide if this was actually some clever marketing by Dove to get their brand talked about and raise publicity (there's no such thing as bad publicity and all that) or if it was a really bad decision made by someone completely clueless!!

But women shouldnt have to breastfeed discreetly.

TequilaSunshine: "It's saying that 25% of people think if you're breastfeeding, you should do it discreetly."

But it's not saying that. The exact words are: "75% say breastfeeding in public is fine, 25% say put them away. What's your way?"

I don't see how you can reach any reading of that other than "25% think it's wrong to breastfeed in public".

That isn't what it says tequila

Like it or like it not people think that women shouldn't breastfeed in public as it is 'unnecessary' or 'they don't want to see it' or my favourite 'it may upset old men' (who presumably have seen a few pairs anyway in the past 80 years but suddenly need 'protecting').

If you don't believe it have a look at the utterly vile comments on some newspaper sites the second anyone mentions breastfeeding. It is misogyny of the worst kind against women who in many cases are struggling having just had a baby.

It's not saying you should do it discreetly Tequila (which would not be acceptable either).

In order to breastfeed my child my breast needs to be accessible to that child. If I put it away it is not accessible. It is quite clear they are saying

'Some people think women should not breastfeed in public. We stand with those people and support their opinion'.

That is actually what the ad campaign is saying.

Unfortunately for them, it is illegal and discriminatory to tell women they may not breastfeed in public. So they really need to think about why they are promoting the fact that they support an illegal act.

Really bad move by dove. How to piss off your customers. see Gerald ratner for further details 🙄

Ridiculous nonsense. Completely irrelevant to buying baby soap in any case. Dove are clearly idiots. Worryingly this just reinforces negative views around breastfeeding. No wonder we have one of the lowest rates of breastfeeding in Europe.

Unfortunately for them, it is illegal and discriminatory to tell women they may not breastfeed in public. So they really need to think about why they are promoting the fact that they support an illegal act.

Exactly exP.

Unfortunately for them, it is illegal and discriminatory to tell women they may not breastfeed in public.

Nobody IS saying that they're not allowed to breastfeed in public!!

I give up.

I give up.

Yeah, you do that then.
People are allowed different view points in here, it doesn't have to be an echo chamber.

Baby soap is completely useless crap anyway!! :y I think Dove are being twats on this. So "75percent agree that homosexual people should be allowed to express their sexual preference, 25percent disapprove and want them to hide away, whatever your way is we support you all the way" - is that OK? No, because it's attacking a legally protected right (and it's moronic). Same thing with bf, it's protected, doesn't matter if some people 'disagree' with bf in public, shut up and put up!

This advertising campaign stinks of a youngish, male creative team that should never have got the Dove contract in the first place.

I very much doubt a senior female creative would have signed off on the phrasing "put them away" so I can only assume there wasn't one present.

This is what happens when a creative team and a business doesn't understand its own market. The phrasing is actually rather offensive, to be honest. Regardless of whether you support public breastfeeding or not as a female, that sort of language sentiment about breasts in the context of breastfeeding and maternity is reductive, demeaning and grubby.

But Tequila it is hardly empowering for a new mum to be reminded that 1/4 of the people sitting in the coffee shop think she shouldn't be there regardless of the law. Perhaps it doesn't bother you, but there are a lot of women who find breastfeeding in public really stressful and this hardly helps.

Of course there is such a thing as bad publicity for brands or anyone else. I'm not buying Dove! Massively avoidable own goal for them. Hope they read this thread.

OK, I'm reporting my last post, I fired it off in haste. People are allowed to boycott things they don't agree with, but in this case I honestly think it's ridiculous.

Tequila, they will care, it is a business. ProbablyOuting, agreed. Creating this 'buzz' around an ad launch means absolutely nothing if it doesn't transfer into sales. And I cannot see how it will transfer into sales, quite the opposite.

Tequila how does

25% of people say put them away (in relation to a discussion on public breastfeeding)

NOT equal

25% of people say you shouldn't breastfeed in public

??

I don't understand what you think it is they're trying to say. It's not 'be discreet' it is PUT YOUR BREASTS AWAY. They must necessarily be out in order to feed. So to say 'put them away' a horrible phrase anyway) must mean 'do not breastfeed'. It must.

I understand you are feeling like everyone is arguing with you and that's not nice, but this is such an important issue and Dove have got it incredibly wrong.

Really this should go the way of Ratner's infamous "we sell crap" comment. A brand which tells women (albeit indirectly under the guise of "this is what some people think") that you should just "put them away" deserves to sink in the same way Ratner's did.

Although like a PP the first thing I did is check and Dove is part of Unilever, so next to impossible to boycott.

I'm never buying Dove again that's for sure. Let them get their money from the 25% who want me to "put them away" when I'm just trying to feed my child.

I will never buy a dove product again. Also I think "put them away" has sexual overtones.

So to say 'put them away' a horrible phrase anyway) must mean 'do not breastfeed'. It must

No, you can either breastfeed with your top completely pulled down and braless, or breastfeed slightly more covered up.
Both are ways to do it, sure. Nobody's saying you can't do it. Some do think "blimey, put it away a bit" if you're nearly completely topless.
Doesn't mean they're saying "you're not allowed to breastfeed."
So Dove's saying they're with you whatever choices you make in parenting.
That's the way I read it anyway.