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Infant feeding

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Original poster

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:
moondog · 23/01/2006 14:48

Blimey nbg!
I've only just worked out where the 'mute' button is!

Nbg · 23/01/2006 14:51
Grin
harpsichordcarrier · 23/01/2006 15:01

blu

sweetkitty · 23/01/2006 15:03

Celebrity Norkfeeding Island where those that produce the less milk get voted off by the public!

nanneh · 23/01/2006 15:06

Well, I am just waiting to hear the sort of stereotypical crap they are going to come up with about "extended breastfeeding" - a vile term in itself - would love to know what "Big Brother" ch. 4 has to say about it, though not holding my breath that they will actually have anythnig intelligent to say...

I shall be emailing ch. 4 promptly with my replies

Blu · 23/01/2006 15:08

They will hold Breastfeeding Big Brother, where women are called to the Dairy Room....

nanneh · 23/01/2006 15:12

Sorry, must add disclaimer that I don't ever watch BB, but they actually showed a clip of GG on ch. 4's 12 o'clock news today, GG was wearing a red leotard and pretending to train a dog with a transvestite ?

I am sure his Respect voters are really, really impressed !!

Perhaps on the bf programme they will show GG as the first male MP ever trying to "lactate" ??

Marina · 23/01/2006 15:12

Is this the one trailed "murder. arson. breastfeeding." on the side of London buses, much to ds' wide-eyed interest?
"Mum, why is there a murder story about breast-feeding?"

nanneh · 23/01/2006 15:13

Blu - will they have a famous cow on as the next celebrity ?

Blu · 23/01/2006 15:14

Marina - I was just LOLing all over the office, and then realised you are serious - they really have buses like that?

Marina · 23/01/2006 15:16

Have you not seen it? Ds' eyes out on sticks
Pictured, nubile bosomy blonde not b/f any child of any age (or George Galloway for that matter)

hunkermunker · 23/01/2006 15:16

Oh fecking hell, is this the prog they talked about last year - the "sensitive look" at extended breastfeeding?!

After hearing ridiculous things said about bfeeding newborns in hospital five days ago, I am as all hell that bfeeding isn't something people are better informed about.

See you at the row thread

Blu · 23/01/2006 15:19

Why don't they just re-name themselves C4Pplay? All that w**k.

hunkermunker · 23/01/2006 15:24

Blu - you make me laugh

beansprout · 23/01/2006 15:37

To be fair, the first post quoted a listing in a magazine so we don't know what Ch4's approach is. Not that we care either way of course

Marina · 23/01/2006 15:40

Hands up who remembers all the old "Channel Swore" tabloid hoo-ha when they launched. I suppose you could commend their restraint for only now latching on to b/f

Blu · 23/01/2006 15:42

Aah, Beansprout, you're a Libran, aren't you?
I think the 'arson.murder.breastfeeding' marketing gives a teensy hint to their approach. Or perhaps that's their sense of humour. Damn, now I'm living up to my Libran stereotyp, which I don't believe in!

Original poster
lazycow · 23/01/2006 15:49

I agree that the magazine summary and it's tone will not necessarily reflect the tone of the programme itself just the reviewer's prejudices.
The title of the programme 'extraordinary breastfeeding' does suggest itself says quite a lot.

However the C4 programme website has the following to say:

"Everyone knows that breast is best, but for how long? Is it OK for toddlers to pull up their mothers' shirts and ask for "mummy milk"? What about feeding a four-year-old? Or a seven-year-old? Or two children at once? Or someone else's child? The World Health Organisation recommends that all children are breastfed until at least two years. In Britain we think that's downright weird. But this forthright, revealing and heart-warming film meets a group of women who believe in continuing to breastfeed for as long as their children want. Veronika is still breastfeeding her seven-year-old daughter, while her eldest has asked if she can be breastfed as a present for her tenth birthday. Spanish-born Dolores is still breastfeeding her son, who is nearly four. Dolores and her English husband are about to adopt and her greatest wish is to breastfeed her adopted daughter. Thirty-eight-year-old Sophie is tandem-feeding two-year-old twins Zac and Molly on demand, and is feeling the strain. And Kirsty, who works for an organisation that helps teach young mums how to breastfeed, is breastfeeding her daughter at nearly two and is very concerned that new laws could prevent breastfeeding in public places. Prod/ Dir: Katie Buchanan; Exec Prod: Jenny Crowther; Prod Co: RDF Media"

This makes me feel that C4 may not be sensationalising it as much as some people here seem to feel. I'll reserve jusdgement though until I see it. It would be really lovely to see a 'good' documentary on this.

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beansprout · 23/01/2006 15:51

Actually, I'm a Scorpio so they had better not p*ss me off!!!

I can't believe these buses. Blimey.

harpsichordcarrier · 23/01/2006 15:55

"The World Health Organisation recommends that all children are breastfed until at least two years. In Britain we think that's downright weird."
er.....

JoolsToo · 23/01/2006 15:57

imho breast feeding a 7 year old and breast feeding a 10 year old for a birthday present is weird - and I don't care what any of you say - so there!

Original poster
lazycow · 23/01/2006 16:17

Hate to say this Harpichorder but I'd guess that most people in the UK do think it is weird. I would have said the same myself before ds yet am still bfing at 14 months and not planning to give up yet and this is from someone who was gritting her teeth to get to 6 months and was desperate to stop at 5 1/2 months I hated it so much.

I personally am quite excited to see a TV programme covering this (assuming it is not of the 'look at the freaks' type of docummentary you get - admitedly mostly on channel 5)

If we want to raise the profile of breastfeeding it is not going to happen on forums like this which are a closed shop really. We need to get those who have never bf, not had children yet, men etc.

I know a lot of you are anti-TV and broadly I agree (despite my pathetic addition to some bits of it). However it has the power to really get stuff on the agenda and to get people talking about things they never would have without it. I for one will definitely be watching and using it as an opportunity to bring up the subject as a discussion point with people I never would ask about this normally.

I'll probably be disappointed in the programme but really as long as it highlights the issues and is not too sensationalist/negative I'd say it will have done a good job.

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Original poster
lazycow · 23/01/2006 16:21

oops sorry 'harpsichorcarrier' - didn't read the name right (hence the nickname) - appologies

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Helenemjay · 23/01/2006 16:23

I agree with you JoolsToo! i think it is a bit weird to feed a 7 year old still and even worse a 10 year old! i couldnt breastfeed a 7 year old - it would feel so weird, turns my stomach abit too! - sorry

expatinscotland · 23/01/2006 16:29

Um, yeah, I agree JT. That's a bit much.

Is it still on? I wanna seeeeee .