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Infant feeding

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Original poster

Join the campaigns to BF in Public and stop Formula advertising!!!!!!

283 replies

Difers · 05/09/2007 14:03

I got this e-mail today and thought that some of you may be interested in supporting these campaigns

Dear Friend,

We have a short, but important window of opportunity to influence policy and implement two of the Breastfeeding Manifesto?s objectives. As a supporter of The Breastfeeding Manifesto I am writing to ask for your urgent help to influence two important proposed laws which could see the implementation of objective 5 and 7 of the Manifesto- if you act now. Visit www.breastfeedingmanifesto.org.uk and send the emails to the government ministers on the ?How You Can Help? page. It?s quick and easy!

Objective 5-Breastfeeding in public

Objective 5 of the Manifesto is: ?Develop policy and practice to support breastfeeding in public places.? The UK government has released The Single Equality Bill for consultation. This means that everyone including organizations and members of the public can submit their comments on this proposed new law. The Single Equality Bill covers a range of issues but one of its aims is to stop the discrimination against breastfeeding mothers in public. We are delighted that the government is finally addressing this issue. However, we feel that the bill as it currently stand is worrying; it only provides protection for those mothers who are breastfeeding a child up to the age of 12 months. By only protecting Mothers breastfeeding children under the age of 12 months the UK government is sending out a message that it is unacceptable to breastfeed a child over the age of one and therefore suggesting it is acceptable to discriminate against them. The World Health Organization recommends that babies are breastfed for two years or beyond and so we believe that the cap on 12 months could be damaging to children?s health. We need you to send the email at the bottom of this pagewww.breastfeedingmanifesto.org.uk/make_your_voice_heard_1.php to ask the government to change the proposed law to ensure all women are fully protected to feed their babies in public beyond their first birthday.

Objective 7- Advertising of Formula Milk

Objective 7 of the Manifesto is: ?Adopt the World Health Organization International Code of Marketing of Breast Milk Substitutes and subsequent relevant Resolutions.? The Food Standards Agency is currently consulting regulations for the advertising and promotion of formula milk. You may have read the recent press coverage and out cry surrounding OK, the model Jordan and SMA formula milk. It is this kind of promotion which we want to stop. However the proposed regulations would not cover this kind of promotion and so the regulations are inadequate for protecting parents and babies from the influence of formula-milk promotion. Parents need reliable information based on evidence, not commercial pressure from baby milk companies. Non commerical, independent information will benefit all parents including those who bottle feed. However, the proposed regulations are inadequate for the job of protecting parents and babies from the influence of formula promotion. Objective 7 of the Manifesto calls for the implementation of The WHO Code on the Marketing of Breast Milk Substitutes and it provides an excellent model for the law that is required. We need you to send the email at www.breastfeedingmanifesto.org.uk/make_your_voice_heard_2.php asking the Foood Standards Agenncy to go further than they propose to go.

It is only with your help and when we work together that we will be be able to influence the government and have lasting affect on children?s health.

I urge you to please visit this website and send the emails, your voice really matters.

Best Wishes

Alison Baum

Co-Founder and Spokesperson, The Breastfeeding Manifesto Coalition

OP posts:
PinataPaddy · 05/09/2007 22:24

" do not agree that a woman should openly breastfeed a child of one year and upwards in public."

there in lies you isshooz with breastfeeding. no wonder you don't like the words 'manifesto' and 'coalition'.

Maybe it is a communist idea to think that every child should start out on an even playing field - by all of them receiving the best possible start in life. Hohum.

Your posts on this isshoo smells like the Daily Mail.

Scottish Mummy, which planet do you call 'home'?

mawbroon · 05/09/2007 22:24

Desiderata - read this before you spout any more nonsense.

LittleBella · 05/09/2007 22:25

oh my point was, my disgust and revulsion are my problem, not the tattooed belly owner's.

pampam · 05/09/2007 22:25

rainbow - i was really worried about the lack of solids, but i know now that there was nothing to worry about, she's never yet had an upset stomach and only had 2 colds since she was born, i put that down to the feeding (i'm very proud of myself! )

PinataPaddy · 05/09/2007 22:29

"Surely, it is your emotional needs that are being satisfied beyond that point? They should be on solids by then. "

lol. Trying to imagine throttling my 13 month old to accept semi dry food instead of giving up my emotional need for her to bf!

3andnomore · 05/09/2007 22:29

indeed Littlebella.
Loved your potbelly/tattoo thing....there are many times in any one day where I feel a sight should not be inflicted on me, lol...but I would never be rude enough to humiliate someone like that...but breastfeeding seem to be fair play...which is so so sad...!
Think is a lot of men have no problem looking at a good pair of boobs, as long as there for their pleasure, or on page 3 as a "visual" stimulant....but if they are atached to a breastfeeding woman, and a Baby is attached to it, suddenly, seeing boobs is like really yuk

Pampam, it always angers me when people say that extendet Breastfeeders "force" their children to bf...because well, I never really got to that point, my ys was only 13 month when he stopped, and I was so so not ready,and he was the child I fed the longest ....I would love to at least still feed ys who is now 3...but it wasn't to be...because there was no way in hell that he would continoue once he had set his mind to stop And I think most children are like that....they set their mind on something and that is it...

Desiderata · 05/09/2007 22:31

Oh, I knew it would arouse comment, but MN would be dreadfully dull without, no?

I breastfed my son, not for long, I'll admit. But my personality is such that if I wanted to continue bf, I would have done it anywhere and at any time.

I'm not disagreeing with you all, honestly. I'm a good woman with good intentions. But I don't like the name of the Breastfeeding Manifesto Coalition. It conjures images .....

The government has to draw a line at this stage of developments. They're being 'diplomatic.'. It's the way it works. Whilst most people would not offer discrimination viz a viz bf a child of upwards of a year in a public place, they are unwilling to legislate for it.

It's called a compromise.

harpsichordcarrier · 05/09/2007 22:31
Desiderata · 05/09/2007 22:32

Ohhh, thanks for that, mawbroon. My eyes are wide open now!!!

PinataPaddy · 05/09/2007 22:33

"Much as I love to see babies being bf (and where I live it's the norm), yes, I would have a problem with a big, busting toddler feeding at the breast in an open place. Not at home ... that's up to you and I guess it's a beautiful, peaceful thing to do) ... but in public. No."

I take it you weren't in the Welcome Break near Sheffield early in August when i bf my strapping 2yo in full view of the world?

But nobody has ever told me to stop in UK because I am sure the kind of people with those sort of prejudices are also the type to think it is ok for me because i am one of those 'natives' who do that sort of thing at home.

PinataPaddy · 05/09/2007 22:35

'It's called a compromise.'

Compromise my arse. I am not willing to compromise my daughter's welfare for placate the ignorance of anyone.

harpsichordcarrier · 05/09/2007 22:36

No-one likes us.
we don't care

Desiderata · 05/09/2007 22:37

So, I take it from your rather rampant post, that my kid will be less healthy than yours because he only suckled the breast for six weeks?

3andnomore · 05/09/2007 22:39

Hm...pondering what people of bf'ing toddlers should do then...I suppose there is only one thing...do not socialise, because well, it could offend someone if you bf them...surely their feelings are just so much more important then your child needs ...

pampam · 05/09/2007 22:39

less healthy? Maybe not, but statistically more likely to suffer from a wide range of illnesses which i'm sure you are already aware of so i won't list them here.

3andnomore · 05/09/2007 22:40

who was that, too Desi?

Desiderata · 05/09/2007 22:40

Harpsi ... I love you to bits, and that includes the choices you make.

Your approach to the debate has always been levelled.

I keep saying it, and I'll say it again. The breastfeeding Manifesto Coalition sounds like pants. Surely to God there is a better monika for the cause?

VeniVidiVickiQV · 05/09/2007 22:41

OH dear god Scottish Mummy you can be a total fuckwit sometimes, who apparently also needs to get a life.

Desi - what is this clinical need you speak of? What are the criteria, and where do you get your facts from? What evidence is there that it harms a child to be b/fed past 12 months?

I dont think you can answer, so I'll not hang about to listen. You seem to just be prejudiced against those who dont deign it necessary to cut off b/feeding from a child after a specific date/time period, ie, when "Progress Milk" is 'allowed' to be used from.

Groundhog day indeed harpsi.

harpsichordcarrier · 05/09/2007 22:41

you're not singing anymooooooooore

PinataPaddy · 05/09/2007 22:42

"So, I take it from your rather rampant post, that my kid will be less healthy than yours because he only suckled the breast for six weeks?"

No. I am too busy enjoying my own life to sit around and wonder how healthy your child is.

VeniVidiVickiQV · 05/09/2007 22:43

And I actually preferred my son to have Milk from My Tit, than Milk from the Tit of a Farm Animal.

But that's just me.

3andnomore · 05/09/2007 22:43

Desi....do you hvae a suggestion for a better name then?

Pannacotta · 05/09/2007 22:44

Desiderata, as others have said, the actual name is pretty irrelevant, it's the purpose of the manifesto which is important.
Why the need to keep hammering your point home? It's clear you object to the name, but its not about what one indivudal thinks, its about protecting the rights of breastfeeding women and their children...

Desiderata · 05/09/2007 22:45

Look! To no one in particular ... I am broadly in support of your desire to bf in public, and to raise the status of bf in general.

I am actually trying to help, although I appreciate that my kind of help is about as welcome as a brussel sprout at a party!

You really must change the name. It sounds nasty and it won't help your cause.

Desiderata · 05/09/2007 22:48

Honestly, 3andnomore, I am trying to think of one

FIP = feeding in public.
BIB = breast is best