If children had a bit of education about breastfeeding at school...

[hunkermunker]

Would that be good or bad?

I think from the pov of raising awareness and normalising bf might be good.

But it might also make feelings of guilt rise to the surface if they come home and say "Mummy, did you bf me?".

Whaddya think?

But you're an adult now, and it'd be long-distant for her.

I'm thinking more of the piping-voiced school-age children being quite blunt with their mothers.

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I am agonising over the best approach, that's for sure.

The myth-busting stuff would be v powerful, but it would have to be carefully worded.

I suspect that however it's done, it'll upset someone though

Well, speaking as someone who was coerced (threats of having ds2 removed from me for starving him) into giving up breastfeeding MUCH earlier than I would have liked - I would be more than happy to put up with the momentary twinge of regret involved in seeing something like that, if the purpose was to promote bf properly and stop other women from being strong-armed by ignorant, ill-informed GPs and HVs. The regret is there anyway! It would be absurd to hush up the benefits of bf to protect the feelings of those who were failed by the system (I'm assuming those who made a willing and considered choice not to bf wouldn't experience the same level of anguish at seeing bf promoted).

we did have a whole term (i think) on bf and the benefits etc, even had a day where some mums bought in their lo and a few bf their babies whilst chatting to us...... we spent weeks exressing horror amongst ourselves at the stretch marks, we never knew they got on the breasts too!!!

(Greeny, you're missing an "s")

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It's my Eastery Springy name!!

not just bf lessons

parenting classes full stop!

That's interesting - I think that as a "successful bfeeder" I am possibly too careful about what I say re bf in RL (and on here sometimes ) - because I would HATE to upset anyone.

I agree with Pruni. I think you could back it up with success stories... "My mother told me I couldn't breastfeed twins, but I did" etc etc

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I've been into primary schools with b/f counsellors and b/fed.
The response was great 911 yr old kids) and afterwards had quite a few (bottlefeeding) mothers come to me and tell me how much their kids had enjoyed it.

I definitely think if this is going to happen on a large scale it should be in primary schools. The children would be SO much more receptive. I'd be happy for my son to see/learn about this at any time from Reception onwards.

Nah, I don't buy it, I reckon this is a stealth attack

We did child development at school (all the thick kids did, in case we got pg at 14) and there was a module on BF V FF. Not dictatorial stuff- you know, list the pro's and cons- accurate (at least given the time it happened).

makes sense for that to happen, as long as its not ANTI ff as much as PRO enabling women to BF.

Great thread Hunker. I wholeheartedly agree with you. I made a point of BFing in front of DP's DD (age 8) & talking to her about it. Get 'em while they're young! I know she was a formula baby & her mum has negative views on BFing so I feel I've possibly helped.

On a similar note, did anyone see that Davina McCall programme recently about increasing the amount of sex ed in schools? She showed how it is done in Holland where they've been successful in reducing the amount of teenage pregnancies. The kids all practise putting condoms on plastic willies. It's very open & honest. If that could be done here then it surely is a small step to include BFing complete with plastic boobies!

Ideally shouldn't they be learning those things at home though Fio?