Should the Duchess of Cornwall be seen to be BF?

[csmm]

So yesterday morning I woke up thinking...

In the UK we have one of the lowest BF rates in Europe, with over half of mothers having given up by 6 weeks in 2011: www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-14578500. Most people know the benefits of EBF to the mother and child, but I totally understand that it's not necessarily an option for some women (I'm passing no judgement BTW - just to be clear).

I guess I have two questions - 1) Do you reckon the reason our BF rates in the UK are mainly a societal thing? and 2) Do you think that having a major public figure, for example, Duchess Kate, being seen to be BF would be a good thing? Or is it a step to far, her being royal and all?

Just curious as to opinion

I apologise for the title of the thread - it should have been 'would it be a good thing (for the Duchess of CAMBRIDGE)' rather than 'should she'

Yes I think if she openly said that was how she was feeding her child I think others would follow her. She doesn't need to be seen doing it, but a nod to her choice of feeding.

I don't think she will be able to ebf. If she is expected to be up and out and about Royal duties etc.

I would imagine that she will have palace nannies helping her, read somewhere that they will do the nights so she can rest etc for her Royal appearances.

OP, I don't think you are odd to have woken up thinking this. I have had the same thoughts myself.

Then you're underestimating people's gullibility about the press. If she ffs they will turn it into a our future monarch is not being given the best malarkey and Kate is vain and wants to maintain her tit shape as that suits them. If she bfs then it will be let's try And do our best to get a tit shot, and if we can't then we'll get at her for not going out in public, or for being ashamed of breastfeeding.

She. Can't. Win.

So let's forget her as a role model for breast feeding or formula feeding. It's just not appropriate.

Thanks Sizzles - not just me who wonders these things then...

Same if she gets a nanny. If she does then she'll be blamed for being lazy and using tax payers' money. If she doesn't then it will be twisted into being an excuse not to do public duties. Or, worse, giving her mum too much involvement. Because let' face it, Carole Middleton is an easy target now they have built her into being a social climbing parasite (disclaimer: she isn't, it is just how we have been conditioned to think of her and Pippa. Strangely, Dad gets let off the hook)

Didn't Diana have a nanny? And wasn't she applauded for being such a good, loving mother?

I think it would be nice for her to become involved with such an important public health matter - she does bugger all else and is all the sheeple who buy every dress she ever drapes on her body followed along with her bf then that can only be good right? She wont get her bapps out in public of course but can you imagine the power of someone like her becoming involved in the debate and promotion of bf - it would be transforming

Yes she did and also breast fed apparently. More pressure for poor Kate!

Davina Mccall pops up to promote breast feeding periodically and talks about it - all without any feeding photos as far as I am aware. I am sure that - If the Duchess wants to and has the right support to get bf established - then she would be brilliantly placed to do the same.

Diana was universally popular at the time her boys were born. Kate isn't.

I expect the press would then label her as a member of the breastapo for her efforts mind you.

Maybe she could have a live birth thread on MN.

Then we could all debate whether she should have an epi, forceps, pool birth. And then judge her. And get Amanda Platell, Sam Brick and a few other journo vipers to pile in and do the same in return for their 30 pieces of silver paycheque.

If she chooses to say she is BFing great, i dont need or want to intrude on her time with her child to get pictorial evidence.

but then again, as I'd say with any other woman how you choose to feed your own baby is your business.

Exactly TSS.
I really hope she does what she wants to do.
She may hate the idea of BF, she may fail at it.
Or she may be totally into it.
But what ever she decides it's not up to her to be responsible for increasing the BF numbers in this country, just to keep the BF advocates happy.
Leave her in peace with her baby and her choices.
There's pressure on all new mums, it'll be times a million for her.

She should be doing whatever the feck she wants to. It's her breasts and her choice, if she wants to breastfeed, how hard she wants to fight any difficulties, and whether she wants to do it publicly or privately.

No woman should be coerced into how she feeds her child.

(I say that as someone breastfed 2 children for 18 months each)

I don't think it's anyone's business frankly. I certainly don't think she should make a decision about how to feed her child based on what anyone else think's looks right.

The Duchess of Cornwall?!

Please no.

And no, nobody should be "seen to" breastfeed.

Not that seeing people breastfeed is bad.

But you do it for your baby, not for an audience.

I didnt mean any offence, my comment was in jest (note the use of ). I just thought it was unusual for it to be something to wake up thinking about. Mine is usually "is it a school day?" or "can I fall back to sleep despite needing a wee or will I have to get up."