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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

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:
beansprout · 30/01/2006 18:44

No-one is suggesting that b/f offsets all environmental factors!
The benefits still stand, that's all.

JoolsToo · 30/01/2006 18:57

we agree then

tiktok · 30/01/2006 19:03

For the record, I said breastfeeding reduces inequalties in health, not that it cancelled them out.

Breastfeeding doesn't negate the harmful effects of smoking, and I didn't even imply that it did.

It is certainly worthwhile breastfeeding a baby even if his parents smoke. The benefits of breastfeeding remain.

I can't see why this is so outrageous, personally!

expatinscotland · 30/01/2006 19:05

'breast is best but let's not get carried away - it's like saying all cancer sufferers were formula fed - of course they weren't - there are other mitigating factors that cause the many cancers that sadly some people fall prey to. '

Or that all health problems or intelligence is linked w/being formula fed.

My dad has GREAT teeth, never had a cavity in his life. He was bf'd till he was 2. He never flosses!

By contrast, my mother has horrid ones and a mouth full of dental work despite being fanatical about caring for her teeth.

Both me and my sister were formula fed. She's never had a cavity and is lazy about flossing. I've had so many I can't count, despite brushing, flossing and using mouthwash twice a day from as long as I can remember, and having my teeth xrayed, examined and cleaned every 6 months.

Some things are in the genes, methinks.

beansprout · 30/01/2006 19:08

Expat - there are, as I think you are saying, lots of factors. Surely the best thing to do is play the best odds you possibly can? Good diet, don't smoke etc and, if you can, b/f your baby. Of course some things are genetic. It's impossible over the course of a life time to identify single causal factors but why dismiss something with proven benefits?

expatinscotland · 30/01/2006 19:10

Never dismissed it, just saying it's not the end of the world if you don't bf for 6 months. It's not financially possible for me, for one, w/DD2 and it was entirely impossible for me w/DD1 b/c of severe PND requiring some serious medication after a suicide attempt.

FairyMum · 30/01/2006 19:17

With all due respect,I don't think the advice to bf is based on anecdotes about someone's relative who never flossed his teeth or someone's next-doors-neighbour who was bottle-fed and still had no allergies.

Noone really understands the "magic" of breast milk. Noone can make a formuale which does the same as mums milk. For example,if a mum gives birth to a baby prematurely, her milk will contain "ingredients" especially needed by premature babies. As her baby grows, her milk will adapt to the baby's changing needs. I think mother nature is very clever.

I have friends who can't bf and I have friends who won't bf which I think is all fine. Their babies are healthy and happy and some of them are much happier because they didn't bf I believe.
However, the % of women bf in the UK (and for at least 6 months)is shockingly low. I think it's partly due to lack of support, but also ignorance and prejudices from others (difficulties bf in public for example). Just to get back to the original topic on this thread - bf will not get a boost from this programme. On the contrary I fear.

expatinscotland · 30/01/2006 19:24

With all due respect,I don't think the advice to bf is based on anecdotes about someone's relative who never flossed his teeth or someone's next-doors-neighbour who was bottle-fed and still had no allergies.

WHERE did I ever write that it's not advisable to bf??! All I ever wrote is that it's not possible for some to bf for 6 months, and that doesn't mean their kids will suffer forever b/c of it.

expatinscotland · 30/01/2006 19:27

Like I said, I'd love for WHO to pay my rent and bills so I could bf DD2 for six months. But that ain't gonna happen, and being homeless in Scotland in springtime isn't my thing, so back I go right before she's 4 months.

There's also no place for me to express privately and before someone tells me that's the law, please come and give me a new job if I make waves and life at work becomes a misery as a result.

tiktok · 30/01/2006 19:30

Feeding may certainly have a lasting even life-long effect on a baby's health. It is impossible to predict in individual cases which babies are going to be affected, and how, and for how long, but feeding is certainly a phenomenon with consequences.

That can be tough for women who wanted to breastfeed and didn't, for whatever reason, but I think it's better to be honest about it.

FairyMum · 30/01/2006 19:32

Why should WHO pay your rent and bills? I totally agree that the short mat leave makes it difficult for mothers to follow WHO's advice and that is a different matter. Now, mat leave is luckily extended and I hope that in the not too distant future we will have 12 months leave. Obviously not for bottle-feeders. They should go back to work immediately. (Joke).

kittyfish · 30/01/2006 19:33

Can't believe some of the irrelevant rubbish being spouted here. Breast is best, end of. It has proven medical, psychological and emotional benefits for both mother and baby. We all go by the best advice we are given which is why none of us puts our babies down on their fronts to sleep any more. The only thing we should all be shocked about is the level of ignorance about breast feeding and the lack of information & support available from the NHS in general.

expatinscotland · 30/01/2006 19:38

'Now, mat leave is luckily extended and I hope that in the not too distant future we will have 12 months leave. '

Mat leave is usually NOT fully paid for the entire time. At least, not in any work place I know. Some of us actually need the full whack to live, so bandying about WHO recommendations when we don't have the support to actually follow them is a bit useless.

Yes, breast is best. Yes, it's best if you can do it for 6 months.

But if you can't it's not the ruination of your child's life.

That was ALL I was trying to convey.

Squarer · 30/01/2006 19:42

Formula feeding only got introduced into the argument when it was suggested that there should be a tv program showing how bad formula was (or something like that). No one has said that breast isn't best - people here are just following the way the discussion went.

drosophila · 30/01/2006 20:16

I am hopeful that the programme will be balanced. Why are you so convinced that it won't be?

I am sure breast is best all things being equal but things are rarely equal. I am still Bfing DD at 12mths but I don't really enjoy it and I would never judge anybody for not doing it. It still bloody hurts (since she got teeth) and I never ever want my DP to touch them. AS a consequence sex life ain't great.
You know why I am still Bfing cos I dread the thought of weaning her. DS was a nightmare for 3 weeks and I can't face it again.

As a baby I didn't even get formula just plain old cow's milk (I couldn't hold down formula). I must admit I'm not particularily healthy. Wonder if this has anything to do with it.

JoolsToo · 30/01/2006 20:28

expat - totally agree with all you say but as usual people read what they want to read - so let's make it clear

BREAST IS BEST BUT YOUR CHILD WILL NOT NEED A SEASON TICKET FOR THE GP'S SURGERY IF YOU BOTTLEFEED

hercules · 30/01/2006 20:29

I'm bf dd at over 2 but we've beeen to the GP's loads for various virus infections, colds etc.

JoolsToo · 30/01/2006 20:30

Hi herc! [waves]

SorenLorensen · 30/01/2006 20:30

And the programme still hasn't been on...

hercules · 30/01/2006 20:30
Grin
nanneh · 30/01/2006 20:31

squarer - someone SHOULD show a programme about how bad formula is in the CONTEXT of how good breastmilk is. That would be good journalism and totally honest.

JoolsToo · 30/01/2006 20:31

you sound very glamourous SL much more than you're old name but I kinda miss it

JoolsToo · 30/01/2006 20:33

oh nanneh

how to make a lot of loving parents feel like sh*t - I like your style

hercules · 30/01/2006 20:33

Actually I have to disagree with you there. What would be the point of it even if one agreed with your point?

hercules · 30/01/2006 20:34

that was to nanneh btw.