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Infant feeding

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channel 4 breastfeeding programme

816 replies

lazycow · 23/01/2006 14:20

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.

OP posts:
prettybird · 30/01/2006 11:11

That's my point too JennyLee.

The damage has already been done, as many people will choose not to watch the programme, having had their negative prejudices confirmed by the trailers.
I'm not even sure I want to watch it and I am/was a committed breast feeder, feeding ds fro 13 months. And I was talking to a neighbour, who has also fed her two boys for over a year, and who has also done some breast feeding couselling )I think more as a peer supporter) - and she isn't sure if she wants to watch it. In fact, she raised the subject with me).

So whatever, the content of the programme, the impression from the trailers is definitely sensationalist.

Eulalia · 30/01/2006 11:19

That's often the only way you'll get people to watch things, by sensationalising them. Shows what an odd society we live in that we have to sensationalise a normal act such as breastfeeding.

RedZuleika · 30/01/2006 11:21

But from their point of view, Channel Four has done a good job. The programme hasn't aired yet and already there's loads of publicity for it. Even if people choose not to watch it, they'll still be aware of its existence and the channel showing it.

It'll be interesting to see the adverts positioned through the programme too.

Enid · 30/01/2006 11:22

I really wish they werent showing this programme. I didn't get much support with breastfeeding last time round and this kind of sensationalist muck is the last thing I need.

prettybird · 30/01/2006 11:28

I know they say that there is no such thing as "bad" publicity but.......

GDG · 30/01/2006 12:32

"And really where are the programmes about why bottlefeeding is not recommended as the first choice?"

What a bizarre suggestion - why would anyone make a programme about that? Plenty of children grow up perfectly well having been formula fed (they don't eat bottles). It's a perfectly valid choice for lots of people - it's not poisonous you know.

expatinscotland · 30/01/2006 12:37

'Plenty of children grow up perfectly well having been formula fed (they don't eat bottles). '

I did.

JoolsToo · 30/01/2006 12:43

what? grew up perfectly well or ate bottles

GDG · 30/01/2006 12:43

hehehe!

JoolsToo · 30/01/2006 12:44

"this kind of sensationalist muck"

sensationalist in what way?

it's only breastfeeding

expatinscotland · 30/01/2006 12:45

I had such an appetite, JT, I probably would have eaten the bottle if I'd been given the chance.

I was also born in the early 70s, when they told parents to give their kids - GASP ! - solids when they were 4 months old.

I lived! No allergies, either!

RedZuleika · 30/01/2006 12:49

Me too (born in the early 70s). If you read Spock from that time, he's recommending you give tiny babies prunes to assist with the grunting that accompanies a bowel movement.

I lived too, bottlefed, weaned at four months and have no allergies... but I prefer to think not that this is actively BAD, but that there are things which could be done better.

Historically, I suspect that the 60s / 70s are a bit of an anomaly in childcare in the west.

Busyalexsmummy · 30/01/2006 12:49

like many others i will be very intrested to see what course this prog takes and like others, what adverts will be aired in the commercial breaks. I agree with the fact that many people already have a negative view on breastfeeding and that this prog is probably not going to do any favours in that respect.
I question the relavance of the mums feeding the much older children,this is very rare(by older i mean 7/8/9/10 etc) as this has got to be the extreme, i suspect that they feed them at home not in public, so why we have to see it is beyond me, what they do in their own home is up to them...

like a pp said-where are the progs on how formula causes the nhs millions of pounds every year-bottlefed infant related illnesses , subsidised milk etc etc and how it can its promoted in the 3rd world even though it can kill due to poor facilites etc??
i havent seen one

and before i get pounced on by the bottlefeeders, im not against it(my first was bottlefed) but for the right reasons, not just people "cant be bothered"

hmmm, rant over

Enid · 30/01/2006 12:53

oh its muck because the trailer makes it look like it confirms every single prejudice that anti-breastfeeders have

I saw one thing that actually advertised it as the "real life 'bitty' sketch"

expatinscotland · 30/01/2006 12:53

'and before i get pounced on by the bottlefeeders, im not against it(my first was bottlefed) but for the right reasons, not just people "cant be bothered"

But what appears to be a 'can't be bothered' reason for you may not be for someone else.

And is there REALLY millions of pounds worth of bottle fed related illnesses a year?

I find this hard to believe.

I had to bottlefeed DD1 from the get go thanks to mental illness and the drugs I had to take for it. I guess I looked like I 'couldn't be bothered' to many to whom I didn't care to divulge my personal business that's between me and my doctor and the laundry list of meds I was on to try to stop me from killing myself.

RedZuleika · 30/01/2006 12:53

"sensationalist in what way?

it's only breastfeeding"

It isn't just breastfeeding, it's breastfeeding 7 and 10 year olds. Even if you don't think this is a bit odd, it's hardly representative. And the way that Ch4 programming has gone (c.f. their 'Bodyshock' series, which while reasonably informative, does have a freakshow element to it), I would suggest that they want the mileage out of presenting something at the margins of most peoples' experience.

GDG · 30/01/2006 12:55

Any mother has the right to think 'I can't be bothered' and feed with formula if they want to!! Who are you to decide on what criteria someone can make that choice?!

As breastfeeders usually like to point out, it's more work to formula feed anyway so 'can't be bothered' is probably not a very common excuse.

JoolsToo · 30/01/2006 12:55

expat! you could be my dd

although I didn't wean until 7/8 months

Enid · 30/01/2006 12:55

I know lots of women who couldnt be bothered to breastfeed

its bloody hard work to get going at it

expatinscotland · 30/01/2006 12:55

What's a 'right' reason, is what I want to know?

GDG · 30/01/2006 12:57

Enid - suppose so, yes it is hard work, I certainly found it so. But if someone doesn't want to do it, just because they don't want to, isn't that up to them?

expatinscotland · 30/01/2006 12:57

Was born in 1971, JT. Even have photos of me happily scoffing baby cereal at 4 months.

Can't stand the stuff now, tho .

FairyMum · 30/01/2006 12:57

I don't see why bottle-feeding is relevant here. Surely bottle-feeding a 7 year-old would be slightly odd too ? Not that I would want to pass any laws against it........

GDG · 30/01/2006 12:58

Just because Jenny suggested it might be better to have a programme about why bottlefeeding is not recommended - we have digressed!

Enid · 30/01/2006 12:58

hey I never said it wasn't up to them

I was only saying I didn't like the look of the programme, fgs dont shoot me.