Just when thought we found a breastfeeding star.

[kkdmom]

ho-hum.

givvus a wee clue, hunks.

Oh, you know, terminology regarding "getting them to sleep through" (with the solution being "give him a bottle"), "unsettled" (with the "solution" being "give him a bottle"), "wanting to suck for comfort" (with the solution being "give him a bottle - or a dummy").

That sort of thing.

Plus other stuff though

Go and read the Novel Oils thread I've just bumped, chaps and get cross about formula companies not telling anyone what's actually in formula, please.

This is me.

ROFL, UD - love the pinging eyeball!

UD...

Isn't it ANNOYING when people just disagree with you. God. Honestly. They should all stop.

Yeah - it's so annoying when people just disagree with you for no reason.

It's also annoying when people misunderstand what you're trying to say.

Anyway - must hide thread.

"As for why modern life would make extended bf difficult, "other than work" means I can't tell you the main reason which is that I am at work for 8 hours a day."

But being at work isn't invariably incompatible with continued breastfeeding as so many people seem to think, at least not once bf is well established and baby is taking solids well.

Your dd not wanting to bf is another issue. I've not argued anywhere that babies NEVER self wean before 12 months.

If a baby wants to continue to bf (because despite your own particular experience, the vast majority of bf babies around the world who don't have the option of formula don't choose to stop bf significantly before 12 months and most self wean considerably later than this) then it's usually perfectly possible for the mum to carry on, if she wants to.

"I know you'd like to hear that I am internalising some strong anti-bf culture"

Why would I 'like' to hear this?

I have no idea about what goes on in your head or heart, but I do know that living in a culture where bf beyond six months is something only a tiny minority of women do is very likely to affect the way ALL of us feel about our own expectations and experiences of normal breastfeeding.

"that by repeatedly saying things like that (and yes, I know you were not directly commenting on my baby), quite often"

So if I'd expressed that opinion just once and not gone on to try to justify or further explain my view you wouldn't have taken it as a personal criticism?

Haven't read the whole thread but surely CC has done really well? BF isn't easy for all of us and the guidelines are to bf for 6 months, which is what she's done. And she's talked about it in a lighthearted, non embarassed way - how many other celebs have done that. Loads of people don't even try to bf, we know that, so surely encouraging people to try is good?

I think it's fantastic that glamorous celebrities like Charlotte, Angelina, Helena B-C etc are seen to be breastfeeders, whatever their comments about how they feel about it. It is their own experience, and it is far more valuable than uninformed comments from those who have never breastfed, as well as being a great way for breastfeeding to be normalised.

If anyone is looking for a breastfeeding star, how about the lovely Nell McAndrew? She was out bf her 21 month old ds as part of National BF Awareness week recently.

LFTS - the current DoH guidelines are to bf exclusively for 6 months and then to continue complimentary bfs until at least 2 years.

(musthidethreadmusthidethread)

sabire, if you're going to quote bits of my posts, please do so so that they make sense. I said (paraphrasing) if you say thing like that quite often right after sompeone has given their experience of a baby sel-weaning

I haven't taken any of your posts as personal criticism, I have merely pointed out that you seem to like saying that maybe our babies weaned for any of a number of reasons that you asumed we hadn't taken into account - and then gone on to provide further info which shows that, in my case, at least, this was not true.

I'm not sure this side discussion is helping this thread any - which should be about how CC has done quite well, really, and good on her. I think Aitch put it rather well.

FGS the woman did a great job, she bf'd for 6 months, she set a good example. Now she is giving HER PERSONAL OPINION as a private individual that she is glad to stop. What's wrong with that? Just beacause she's in the public eye is she supposed to bf til the baby is 2 or something?

I do agree that CC doesn't have to know everything there is to do with bfing and be relentlessly positive about it all just cos she's in the public eye.

That's kind of the thrust of another bit of the epic I'm writing, in fact.

It'll be worth waiting for.

As I say, there's a very interesting thread re the contents of formula you might all find worth a read.

Surely if CC is talking about leaking and having put up with it for 6 months for the benefit of her baby, that is an encouraging example to other young mothers who may be wanting to give up because they find the leaking thing unpleasant.

"Oh look CC leaks too but she stuck it out to 6 months, maybe I'll see if I can just get to 6 months too".

She has been honest and not smiled sweetly and hidden the less fluffy side of breastfeeding so other mums who want to give it a try are better informed as to what it might involve.

It speaks volumes that some posters think that only glowing reports of the health benefits and lovely times spent bonding through breastfeeding should be published.

The need for censorship is not generally a good sign - surely you realise that.

Look, here it is

PMSL at "arse".

Exactly, Fio.

I want more honesty about breastfeeding - about feeding in general. I think if you're saying "let's talk about the risks of formula feeding" you can't pretend that breastfeeding is utterly rosy at all times, because it often isn't.

I want honesty both ways - are you all ready for that on this thread?

honesty and being more than happy to stop at 6 mos or 6 wks is one thing.

perpetuating a misinterpretation of the Breastfeeding guidelines for the UK is quite another thing. this article, note, i am not saying CC, is doing that and it annoys me. However, the misconception comes with a bit of an article attached to her name and as we all know, shit sticks. Sorry Charlotte, if idiot journo has put words into your mouth.

it is the second time in a very short period of time that I have read the same tripe.

It reminds me of that other popular misconception, already mentioned on this thread, that the WHO guidelines is for 3rd world countries.

because sabire, I told you my experience and you responded with "nursing strike" and "work is not invariably incompatible with bf". I was telling you MY experience and you respond with generalities which do not apply to me and which I have repeatedly made clear do not apply to me.

I can't imagine why you would find it hard to accept my experience at face value, and the experience of others posting on this thread such as silverfrog, unless you were seeking to make some other point.

Anyway, the point is Charlotte Church did great and I'm sure she's got more influence over young mums today than the WHO. And let's tell my DD that the WHO thinks she should bf till 2. She doesn't think so. Some children want to carry on. Some don't. As is the constant refrain on MN, children are different, do different things at different ages. All varieties are fine.

exactly, fio. especially a young mum in the public eye who has her appearance commented on a lot. she's a good lass, an ordinary and bright lass, and a better role model than most celebs her age. (all, tbh)

Yep, I think she should be being applauded.

Fio, hang on and I'll get you a link to celeb bfers - it's THE most clicked upon link on my blog by far, which demonstrates the interest in what celebs do, imo.