Oh dear Oxfam have made a bit of a boob (or actually a bottle in this case!)

[mawbroon]

Have a look at this. Especially around 2 mins when Mel B makes an appearance

If you understand why this is a big blunder on their part and feel strongly enough to complain, then you can do so here

still think this is a disproportionate reaction and bitty conspiracy theory.ad not intentionally malevolent or undermining or sending any subliminal use a bottle/buy formula messages

you have had your Oxfam answer,did it answer queries?

That's exactly it mummy2anna; mixed messages from Oxfam. They are undermining their own campaign values.

Somebody from Oxfam should have explained this to Mel B (she is not at fault for not being aware of the issues).

FioFio, I'm not saying that Oxfam is promoting bottle feeding, I'm saying that the choice of a bottle as symbol to raise awareness of poverty is inappropriate in the current context of formula feeding contributing to so many deaths in poverty stricken areas.

It's not about promoting one feeding choice or the other, it's about having a basic clue and caring about how aggressive promotion of formula by manufacturers is damaging to local populations. Whilst your average Joe on the street might not know, or care, Oxfam actively campaigns in this field and might be expected to be consistent in their message. There is enough damage done by those who profit from selling formula in poor countries without Oxfam scoring own goals like this one.

As I have said before, I don't think this video in itself is hugely damaging but I think it is interesting to examine the issues it raises. I don't think that is a massive over reaction, just a discussion.

Not a conspiracy at all, Scottishmummy - just an oversight and a lack of understanding of the importance of consistency in message.

Who's suggested a conspiracy, FGS?

Since when did a thread on an internet talk board constitute a "massive over reaction"?

I agree it's an 'own goal' and there's no harm in letting them know they should join up their thinking!

Reckon they would have got a lot more publicity for their campaign if Mel B had signed her own boob ha ha

lots of disparate facts eg visible bottle,lots of WHO etc stats,is it isn't it expressed milk

throw in a some oh they should know better/mixed message

add the evil oligopoly formula companies

incitement to complain

looks like you got a massive over reaction

Oxfam et al were born out of what many would have called 'a massive over-reaction'

hooray for massive over-reaction!

Blimey - Scottishmummy, you need to get out more if you think all this is a 'massive' over-reaction.

You must be a cheap date - finding excitement in very small things indeed

Scottismummy don't you think that the work that Oxfam and others do to try to save babies lives in developing countries by trying to protect their breastfeeding relationship with their mothers is important?

Actually I think those who are getting all antsy on this thread and throwing around accusations of 'conspiracy theories' and 'gestapo' type behaviour are over reacting (and hugely missing the point).

Scottishmummy don't you think that the work that Oxfam and others do to try to save babies lives in developing countries by trying to protect their breastfeeding relationship with their mothers is important?

Actually I think those who are getting all antsy on this thread and throwing around accusations of 'conspiracy theories' and 'gestapo' type behaviour are over reacting (and hugely missing the point).

Sorry for double post!

i am not criticising oxfam in any way i am commenting on the over reaction to the video

in fact posters here were posting links about how to complain to oxfam

that is your prerogative if you feel so aggrieved

it is my prerogative to point out i don't wholly get your gripe. over stated, over blown

of course they've put a link in - otherwise it'd just be a pointless whinge!

with or without whinge it is a pompous whine.purposefully seeking offence and vague inference form a well intentioned video

the op said 'If you understand why this is a big blunder' - clearly you don't ...

Doh!clearly i am not concordant with OP i see no big blunder.i see over reaction to well intentioned innocuous video

i loved the video, that woman's voice is great.

Isn't Lars a great name too.

You'd think Mel B would've known better herself. How dim are some of these celebs?!

Interesting response from Oxfam, but they are omitting a few pertinent facts...

especially this "The image was used simply because many [fortunate western mothers] use bottles [to no fatal effect] to feed their babies after a period of breast feeding. This is the case with Mel."

Lucky old Mel. Because the sentence could also read

"..many mothers [in poverty] use bottles to feed their babies after [instead of] a period of breast feeding. [This is often fatal for their babies]

My insertions, obviously.

Can we at least agree that at best, it's tactless to use this image? It's seen as an innocuous image for many of the posters here, but it is anything but innocuous for the people the video is about.

A baby bottle was a dopey choice for Oxfam to have used.

Hats off to them for even bothering to respond to such a petty, mean spirited complaint in the first place.

Yeah Nancy66 that's right, it's just mean and no fun and petty to point out that an object that represents food to us represents exploitation, sickness and death to others and possibly doesn't have a place in a video that is intended to raise awareness of the problems of those people.

I agree with Beachcomber and Tiktok. In the developing world, bottles kill poor babies. There is no doubt about that at all.
I think allowing MelB, who clearly didn't understand this, to use a bottle as a symbol of motherhood is like having an ad to raise awareness of civil war in Africa and having some celeb's kids running around playing with toy guns. Harmless in this country, but a symbol of something that does untold harm in the very areas highlighted by the film. It's just stupid.
We are so, so lucky to have clean water and clean homes. Oxfam should know better.

As for the idea that breastfeeding isn't natural....words fail me.

That's right Beachcomber - I stand by my view.

The campaign is about lobbying your government to honour their pledge to the UN and give the money they promised to third world nations.

It's laughably pathetic that somebody has singled out something irrelevant and turned it into a huge issue and encouraged people to complaing to a charity that are actually attempting to do some good.

Why don't you all organise another one of your picnics - give you all something to do. You clearly have too much time on your hands.

By all means stand by your views Nancy. Just as we are doing so. That's the wonderful thing about a democracy.
The bitchy comments are unneccessary though. Laughably pathetic you might say.