channel 4 breastfeeding programme

[lazycow]

Just thought people might be interested if you don't already know.

Channel 4 on Weds 1 Feb. A programme called Extraordinary Breastfeeding is on. The write up in the magazine I'm looking at says:

"You'll be texting your friends about this as soon as it starts. It's about the phenomenon of mothers who breastfeed their kiddies well beyond the age considered 'normal' in this country. Seeing a feisty mum breastfeed her two-year-old twin isn't that disturbing, but the sequence of another lady suckling her 7 year old dughter isn't one we will forget in a hurry. "

I'm looking forward to seeing the tone it takes.

What have I started with this "milk from another species" stuff? I'm not a vegan, and I do drink it from time to time, as well as eating yoghurt, cheese etc. What I meant was that our culture normalises things that might, to an outside observer, seem somewhat bizarre. For example, adult humans drink milk designed for infant cows. On some levels, if you think about it, it is much less 'weird' that a 10 year old child wants to drink human milk. And anyway, do we know whether her mother actually lets her?
And whilst I'm at it, why not have any programs showing formula in a negative light? It somehow seems fine to depict breastfeeding mothers as a bunch of nork-wielding nutters, but just try saying anything negative about bottle-feeding... People might trot out the cliche "breast is best" but you never hear them saying it the other way round i.e. "bottle is worst"..., do you?
P.S. I'm proud to say I used to live in a place called Nork. It's just outside Banstead in Surrey....
P.P.S. I'm a bit new here. Do I need to hide in a bunker for a while now? How will I know when it's safe to come out?

Look we are all adults here. Of course Channel 4 will include some 'shocking' (for want of a better word) examples of bfing that is TV for you.

I think we are getting off the point here with the 7 and 10 year old. The main problem we have in the UK is that most people seem to think that feeding past 12 months is really odd.

I appreciate that C4 may make this into a weird people type fest but wat I am hoping for is something that explains the WHO guidelines (something which I am absolutely certain many mothers have never heard of) and that gives an informative (possible too much to ask for a sympathetic view) of bfing for as long as possible.

My dream is that one day those of us who come to the realisation that bfing for longer then 6-12 months is fine do not feel obliged to hide it away from most people because of the 'are you still breastfeeding type questions?

Ds at 14 months still bfs but only ever at home (1-4 times a day). I'm pretty lucky that his natural inclination when out is never to ask to bf (he hasn't done so since he was 6 months old). I have used that to cut down the feeds. This has in the past meant being home more often (or feeding in cars etc)to make sure he got enough milk. However I appreciate some toddlers want to feed more often for a longer time and I know some mothers are happy to do this but I know I would not still be bfing after about 8 months if I was having to do so in public very often.

I know this is my problem but I know lots of people who feel like this. We have to be honest here and admit that despite the WHO guidelines, bfing a two year old is far more likely to elicit negative comments than bfeeding a newborn.

Thank you, LC. Good point, well made.

Lucy,you get straight in love!
I dived headfirst into a b/feeding thread when I started MNing.
(Welcome btw!)

SM,mine went off to be incinerated at the hospital (I'm too scared to do the whole no pain relief home birth thing).Asked to have a look but was pretty befuddled both times after the diamorphine.
Would have like to have cut the cord actually,to get some sense of strength and texture.

Lucy,you get straight in love!
I dived headfirst into a b/feeding thread when I started MNing.
(Welcome btw!)

SM,mine went off to be incinerated at the hospital (I'm too scared to do the whole no pain relief home birth thing).Asked to have a look but was pretty befuddled both times after the diamorphine.
Would have like to have cut the cord actually,to get some sense of strength and texture.

Lucy,you get straight in love!
I dived headfirst into a b/feeding thread when I started MNing.
(Welcome btw!)

SM,mine went off to be incinerated at the hospital (I'm too scared to do the whole no pain relief home birth thing).Asked to have a look but was pretty befuddled both times after the diamorphine.
Would have like to have cut the cord actually,to get some sense of strength and texture.

Moondog I cut the cord and it's unbelievably gristly. I had to chomp away with the scissors for quite a while.

Totally serious meanoldmummy. Is it so unusual? The truly hardcore hippy women eat them don't they? I'm lightweight by those standards.

I also, and this is not one for the feint hearted, retrieved my pregnancy sac from my mooncup while miscarrying during the rugby world cup final (the one when England won) put it in a jar, showed the kids, then buried it in the garden.

I honestly think it's much weirder to have it whisked away by strange people in white coats never to be seen again. It's part of me after all.

I realise, since joining mn, mine are not common experiences.

I really wish I'd done it now...

Spidermama - I asked because I actually have leanings in that direction myself. I found the whole idea of pregnancy and reproduction overwhelmingly beautiful and precious (which is why being basically butchered by those vicious evil bastards in the hospital was rather a shock - I hadn't imagined birth being brutal, violent, bestial...don't get me started). I wouldn't have eaten it - I'm not a big offal fan at the best of times but had things been different I could see burying it and planting a special tree. I always wanted to plant a cherry tree for my first son and a rose tree for my second, but I didn't have a garden at the time. I do now, so I might do it.

And what you do after a miscarriage isn't something for other people to judge or find weird anyway. I think what you did is quite natural and not shocking at all

Unfortunately my placenta the first time was hacked to little pieces and sucked out of me while I exsanguinated all over the table. And the second time I was having another pesky pph while they removed it and took it away.

I read your story meanoldmummy and nearly cried. It was like something from a concentration camp. I'm so sorry.

Will you go for another or are you finished now?

SM -no, I don't think so. I never found out why I was having so many problems in pregnancy or why I haemorrhaged both times - I had to keep pestering to find out what damage/tears I had after coming out of theatre the first time - in the end someone drew me a little diagram) - it feels unsafe to risk it when I have two boys who need. And I can't face all that pain and misery again. I would have liked more. But I am very lucky to have two gorgeous children, I know that.

Am I the only person who had a medicalised birth -i.e induced via drip and yet felt happy that my aim to have as natural a birth as possible was met?. I also had absolutely no feeling that I was helpless or not in control. In fact my doula told me the birth I had had channged her opinion on the possibility of having a good birth following an induction. - different thread this though.

As for placentas - yuk! - I remember being asked if I wanted to touch the baby's head as it came out - no way !! - not really sure why - Also I had no interest in the whole - bring a mirror thing eugh!!!

It's true, this thread is supposed to about breastfeeding

Actually it was moondog's fault - she brought up placentas (so to speak.....and ought it to be "placentae"?)

Sorry meanoldmummy

Have just read your post and mine. Didn't mean to sound smug - it sounds like you had a horrific time and I know hospitals can be awful during birth - I think I just was lucky with mine though I did end up with internal tears that needed stitching by a surgeon in theatre.

I thought the labour staff were great. Also they really encouraged breastfeeding - to the point of never offering to take the baby if you were bfeeding. At one point I wanted to give a bottle of fomula (at 3 days old) as was so tired and I got it into my head that ds was dehydrated but was encouraged by a lovely mw/bfeeding counsellor to persevere and reassured that he was not dehydrated.

Was debating the placentae thing but worried that it is one of those tricking 'a' ending nouns that declines differently.

Oh hang on.....thinking of the '-um' ones that turn to '-a' in the plural nominative maybe??

Oh,never mind,good for nothing but ironing and cooking me.

I offered my placenta to a vegan friend for his organic allotment. I was most offended when he turned grey and said "no thanks"

lazycow - I didn't read your post as smug at all, not in the least. I'm glad other women have had better experiences. I don't wish what happened to me on anyone (well, almost anyone)

I like your style today Moondog. You're taking no prisoners. Good on you.

Anyway, ahem, yes ... back to breastfeeding.
My ds turned one last weekend and went on a five day nursing strike. I've never experienced this before with my other three who all weaned off gradually, seamlessly at ages 2 and 3.

Had it not been for tiktok telling me about strikes I'd have just assumed he was abruptly self weaning, but I have to say it was a very upsetting time for all. I kept offering, as advised, then finally on day five he took it again and I sat feeding him and crying with relief.

Everyone had been saying, 'One year old. Good time to wean. Think yourself lucky etc etc' but past experience told me it shouldn't end like this.

I once fed dd when she was four following a particularly nasty fall in the playground. (was still making milk for her brother at the time).
The only other people there were my friends. That's as extended as it gets for me and even I felt it was quite radical.

It's a straightforward feminine noun - placenta, placentae

God I am pedantic...and I'm no good at ironing either

I'm neither literate nor good at ironing. I can dig a good placenta hole though.

spidermama, I miscarried once in my bathroom and - like you - held and buried the sac. it was the most amazing experience for me. compared to the medically managed losses I had, it felt strangely positive and satisfying. and yes I have had some appalled reactions from other people when I tell them that.

I'm appalled anyone would react like that! How dare they? What would they do? ed that anyone would pass judgement on someone's way of coping with such a sensitive and personal loss.

You know I have a feeling that ds has had at least one nursing strike in our nursing relationship. He definitely has has periods of nursing less often, but at one point I had a few days where he really would not nurse at all (maybe latch on for a minute or two but that was it). His favourite was to arch his back and absolutely scream most of the times I offered (God I really did hate breastfeeding for a very long time). He was over 7 months at the time I think (can't remember exactly).

I remember thinking he might stop bfeeding soon but since his breastfeeding was very often led by me I kept offering (a bit half-heartedly though) after about 4 days he seemed to get back on track and stared feeding again. (He pretty much always fed at least once at night though). I never really worried too much - though he was beginning to eat then and was taking water so dehydration was not a worry.

I honestly think if you keep offering and don't stress (easier to do when they are older) too much when they refuse they will mostly start again. ds has recently become a bfing monster at 13-14 months- having never been overly keen before (other than the minimum required etc) - LOVES his solids though. I think he just isn't that keen on milk - human or otherwise.