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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:
ShaysMummy · 30/01/2006 20:34

im starting to feel terribly guilty in some respects as my babe is bottlefed and has been since six weeks.
he was terribly sick when he was born and the big cheese consultant recommended he went on formula as we needed to see how much he was taking.
i must say though, he has never been ill with colds etc to this day (touch wood!)
i really wanted to feed bf and intent to next time.
yes breast is best, but it wasnt for my son at the time, then when he was better it was too late.

Milliways · 30/01/2006 20:35

Have not read this whole thread - but who would want to be the breastfed 7yr old at school after transmission?

Makes me think of the Lost Emperor film!

ShaysMummy · 30/01/2006 20:35

why are we saying formula is bad? its not bad its just not as good as breast milk....gees....

hercules · 30/01/2006 20:36

The thing is we know already that breastmilk is healthier than formula but there are reasons why people formula feed and these reasons dont go away just because you spout breast is best.

nanneh · 30/01/2006 20:37

JT - eeehrrrmmm no I didn't say someone should make a programme about parents who bottle feed or parents who breast feed or their style of parenting.

I was talking about the INHERENT qualities of formula compared to breastmilk. Please don't put words into my mouth...or text into my post...

hercules · 30/01/2006 20:38

but why nanneh?

JoolsToo · 30/01/2006 20:41

nanneh - "how bad formula is in the CONTEXT of how good breastmilk is"

that's what you wrote is it not?

nanneh · 30/01/2006 20:43

Hercules - the point of it would be that there was a surevy done recently (can't remeber by whom but it was mentioned on the BMA website) that over 60% of UK mothers (presumably mothers of 1st children) believe that formula milk is AS GOOD as breastmilk.

This has a very damaging effect on BF rates in this country.

So a documentary actually saying to the wider public that formula is NOT as good as breastmilk at peak time TV time would be very valuable IMO instead of showing a 7 year old or 10 year old sucking their mothers breasts to amuse a bunch of voyeurs.

ShaysMummy · 30/01/2006 20:45

presumably of first children as we are total idiots...

hercules · 30/01/2006 20:45

sounds a bit of an inaccurate survey tbh. I really think most people are aware that bm is healthier than formula but you're on dangerous grounds to then equate formula as bad as it's not as good.

nanneh · 30/01/2006 20:46

JT - yes I said bad...but I also used the word context. Put into context: formula is not as good as breastmilk.

expatinscotland · 30/01/2006 20:47

TV is about ratings. Let's face it: voyeurs tuning into 7-year-olds nursing will far outnumber those who want to see a documentary about how bad formula is.

hercules · 30/01/2006 20:48

but nanneh it is wrong to say it is bad. Saved many lives etc etc.

What about a programme about the appalling advice given to mums who want to bf and the lack of support?

hercules · 30/01/2006 20:48

too true expat.

ShaysMummy · 30/01/2006 20:49

poor mums like me!!!!

nanneh · 30/01/2006 20:50

hercules - I didn't make the figures up. I would say that judging by the fact the UK has a very poor BF record, it's a fairly accurate picture.

JoolsToo · 30/01/2006 20:50

exactly - you don't win converts to breast feeding by saying formula is bad!

misdee · 30/01/2006 20:51

nice to see this has gone into breast vs bottle again.

Hulababy · 30/01/2006 20:51

nanneh - I don't think that would be useful at all TBH. They could do the whole "breast is best" stuff much more subtely.

On TV - show people in soaps, kid's prgrammes, dramas breast feeding. Why not have a mixed range of people, some doing one, some doing the other, some mixed feeding.

In children's books - have both shown. I have so far only seen one children's book that shows a mummy breast feeding (and co-sleeping too )

Children's toys - don't automatically give a child a bottle to feed their baby doll. Tell them both ways to feed a baby instead.

But to push the whole formula is bad stuff isn't a good one. Breast feeding is not always best for mummy, baby and every given situation. Even the most avid breast feeder must see and accept that surely? So why push a message that is likely to make some parents guilty about a choice they have willingly made/have had to make.

Breast feeding is not what makes a good parent.

beansprout · 30/01/2006 20:52

Exactly what I was just thinking misdee! Ah well....

beansprout · 30/01/2006 20:52

Exactly what I was just thinking misdee! Ah well....

hercules · 30/01/2006 20:52

I meant the study not you.

There are many reasons why bf rates are poor but I am convinced that a decent health service which gives accurate advice and supports mums would be the best thing to turn this around.

THink of how many mums come on here quoting plain wrong advice given to them by so called professionals.

Wordsmith · 30/01/2006 20:52

Ahem, I think the programme is actually called EXTREME breastfeeding, not Extraordinary BF.

Are channel 4 paying all you lot for this publicity?

misdee · 30/01/2006 20:54

so is it an extreme sport then?

JoolsToo · 30/01/2006 20:54

also the sooner some folk realise that some women (myself included) just don't want to breastfeed - shock horror - even though they know it's best - the better!