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Infant feeding

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

Original poster

Breastfeeding - building the brand - ideas?

314 replies

hunkermunker · 31/03/2007 11:20

The media shorthand for "breastfeeding" seems to be "hairy legs, weirdy sandals, dubious personal hygiene inc. unshaven armpits and a laissez-faire attitude to discipline of children".

What would you like to see in the media to promote bf? More women bf in soaps? Celebs talking more about their experience of bf? Ordinary women who work and bf talking about how they do it (so many times I read women say "there was no point bf, I was going back to work full time when LO was 4/5/6/7mo")?

So much of the bf info out there is kinda clinical - which is fair enough because it's written by the Department of Health. But should there be more from an emotional pov, more written by "women like me" - not the hairy-legged hippies that it's so often written by (NOT slating HLH btw - some of my finest friends could be described thus ).

Just musing, really. Formula manufacturers have HUGE budgets to build their brand awareness and BF relies on volunteers - I know there are marketing people on MN and I wondered if they wouldn't mind giving a bit of input into this?

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berolina · 31/03/2007 11:25

Can you CAT me please, Hunker? I have lots of thoughts and ideas on this, but am moving house on Wednesday I'd like to email you after the move, if that's OK

Original poster
hunkermunker · 31/03/2007 11:27

CAT winging its way to you - hope the move goes well!

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SoupDreggon · 31/03/2007 11:29

"More women bf in soaps?" Absolutely. But it has to be realistically - eg overcoming difficulties and succeeding rather than token bf and on to bottles.

I'm not sure about other stuff - what you really need to do is slide it unnoticed into people's consciousness so it becomes "normal" in people's minds. Otherwise you run the risk of people feeling beaten with the "breast is best" stick IYSWIM.

RanToTheHills · 31/03/2007 11:30

i'm not sure about who I'd like but in terms of who I think would be hte best advocates, i'ts got to be slebs, hasn't it? Usual fodder of OK/Hello magazine c-list types. If they harped on about the wonders of bfing as opposed to how the weight miraculously "fell" off them post-birth would do wonders! Not going to happen though,isit?

SoupDreggon · 31/03/2007 11:30
ENTP · 31/03/2007 11:32

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ENTP · 31/03/2007 11:33

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MrsGumby · 31/03/2007 11:40

The media focuses on the extremes of BF-ing far too much...if it's not documentaries focusing on mums feeding their 7-year-olds (not for me, but each to their own) it's Little Britain's "Bitty" (which as BF-ing mum myself I find quite amusing but I don't think it promotes our cause and just accentuates the "yuk" factor that unfortunately puts so many mums and their partners off BF-ing). I would love to see a media "endorsement" of BF-ing, whether it's a TV character doing it in a totally naturalistic environment or a celeb discussing her reasons for doing so in print our broadcast...the younger and groovier celeb the better. Charlotte Church would be perfect, dontcha think?

Cazee · 31/03/2007 11:44

What we really need is a law like they have in Scotland, so that you can breastfeed in public. I am a real wuss, and tend to give EBM if I am in public, simply because I don't want to get in to a row. If someone was harassing a breast feeding mother I wouln't hesitate to defend her, but I don't want the focus on me (odd?). If we had such a law I feel a lot more mums would breast feed in public, and it would then be much more in people's consciousness.

Original poster
hunkermunker · 31/03/2007 11:50

Oh, Cazee How old's your baby? Don't you find it a faff to express and give EBM? Can we help with ideas so you can bf in public? What is it you're worried about? I've never had anyone say anything negative to me when bf in public - I've had encouraging looks and lots of "aw, that's lovely", esp from old ladies.

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Original poster
hunkermunker · 31/03/2007 11:50

Agree re the law though - there was an Early Day Motion I got my MP to sign, but not sure what happened to it.

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shonaspurtle · 31/03/2007 11:51

I'd like to see more media articles about breastfeeding, especially ones that dealt with the myths.

Yes, it would be good to see/hear about more sleb mums bf, bf being seen as a feeding option on tv etc but now that most hospitals have pro-bf policies most women do start by bf and then stop. I think that looking at why they stop and dealing with that is most important (but probably a separate issue than this one sorry).

Reading the posts on here, it seems that the thing that makes most people stop isn't the pain but worrying that the baby isn't getting enough milk. That corresponds with the experiences of most of my friends who gave up soon after birth. Either they say their milk didn't come in or their baby wasn't satisfied because they weren't making enough milk.

On here someone like Tiktok comes along and does some myth-busting, suggests some strategies for upping supply etc. This doesn't seem to be happening in real life.

The mainstream health media just doesn't seem to be interested in the ins and outs of bf. Maybe though you need the "building the brand" before that can happen.

Cazee · 31/03/2007 11:53

It is a faff, but I just worry that there will be a "scene", and everyone will look at me, and I will have to slink out, seething. My DD is 13 weeks, so still needs feeding often when we are out.

harpsichordcarrier · 31/03/2007 11:53

it didn't get passed I think that woul dbe a great idea, also enforcing targets for bf. pictures of bf mothers in hospitals. Charlotte Church! of course! perfect

Original poster
hunkermunker · 31/03/2007 11:55

Aw, Cazee - how about you do one short trip out, where you'll only need to do one feed, and go somewhere with a comfy chair (whereabouts are you? Near eg a Starbucks?) and just do it - you can use a muslin or pashmina to cover up a bit if you need to. Take a supportive friend with you? If you're near me, I'll come and meet you for a coffee!

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Cazee · 31/03/2007 11:55

I completely agree with shonaspurtle's point about myths about under feeding. Just yesterday a friend of mine told me that she had to give solids fron 4 months because her baby was "so hungry"...

MoosMa · 31/03/2007 11:56

One thing that has annoyed me recently (I've had to stop bf-ing) is that I have felt pressured into bfing and I think the mws/hvs push it too much as what you must do or you're a bad mother. I know that's not at all what they're saying but it's how it feels to a fragile sleep deprived new mum.

I was talking about this the other day at toddler group and we agreed that it's "sold" as being easy when it's not. "It won't hurt, it's so natural, you won't get mastitis (the lady I was speaking to has had it 5 times!), it's best for you and your baby". Perhaps if it was put across more realistically (sp?) then people wouldn't feel so bad when they have difficulties and wouldn't drop at the first problem thinking that they're unusual for finding it hard.

I agree that more famous people (sorry I can't bring myself to call them celebs - shudder) did it openly then it would help, but I can't see many of them getting their boobs out for the paps for the sake of promoting bfing!

Cazee · 31/03/2007 11:57

Oooh hunkermunker, that sounds lovely! I am in the bedfordshire area. If not, I think I should just do it, I am such a chicken! We are going out shopping today, so maybe...!

beansprout · 31/03/2007 11:57

Cazee - I was really self conscious when bfeeding ds as a baby, but people really aren't as interested as you think they are! I never heard any negative comments and there the people who have are in the minority. We are more likely to hear negative comments from relatives than we are complete strangers.

Original poster
hunkermunker · 31/03/2007 11:58

MoosMa, I think it's a tightrope - if you talk too much about the difficulties you might have with bf, you might put some women off even trying "If it's gonna hurt, I'll just use bottles" - if you then say "that's fine, your choice totally, but these are some of the things you might want to consider about ffing" then you're "making women feel guilty".

But if you say it's "easy, natural", etc - then you run the risk of not giving a realistic picture of what bf will be like for MANY women.

It's hard

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Cazee · 31/03/2007 11:59

What worries me most is not comments from strangers so much as being asked to leave by the management!

Original poster
hunkermunker · 31/03/2007 12:00

Cazee, I'm a bit far away from you - I'm in West London - but honestly, DO IT!

I'm with you in spirit - frowning at anyone who DARES to give you even a sideways look for bf in public, I promise!

Anyway, if they DO say anything, all you need to do is smile sweetly and say "Thank you for your opinion", then ignore them.

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Original poster
hunkermunker · 31/03/2007 12:02

Go to a big chain, like Starbucks, Pizza Express, etc - if you're really that worried, tell them you're going to bf (don't ask if it's OK, just tell them) and ask for a glass of water to go with your cake and hot choc

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midnightexpress · 31/03/2007 12:03

Maybe we should all lobby the Milk Marketing Board (or somebody else, not sure who?) to make one of those milk moustache posters featuring breastfed babies with milk moustaches and that lovely 'zonked on milk' face. Would be good publicity for them - good PR story in there I'm sure.

beansprout · 31/03/2007 12:04

Hunker - will you come and support me to feed ds (2.5) in public? I told Franny I would but am too chicken. I'm in Willesden.