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Infant feeding

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

Original poster

Breastfeeding slogans - what do people think of ...

36 replies

StealthPolarBear · 12/05/2009 17:46

"Choosing for two"
It was on a (hand printed) poster advertising AN breastfeeding sessions at my GPs.
I like it as it emphasises the importance of choosing the right option for mother and baby but at first I thought it was a bit cryptic.

OP posts:
Kathyis6incheshigh · 12/05/2009 17:47

yes, cryptic is the word!

Original poster
StealthPolarBear · 13/05/2009 21:48

bump

OP posts:
Original poster
StealthPolarBear · 14/05/2009 08:48

bump
or do people just not have an opinion on this?

OP posts:
littlelamb · 14/05/2009 08:50

Don't like it. People would argue that they could choose bottle feeding for the same reason!

Fillyjonk · 14/05/2009 08:52

well it doesn't leap out at you really

also bloody patronising to bottle feeders imo

Gala · 14/05/2009 08:55

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
StealthPolarBear · 14/05/2009 09:07

Do you think it's patronising Fj? I actually thought it was the opposite - making the point that however you choose to feed your baby needs to be the right choice for both of you.
ll - yes, I agree, so maybe as an inspiring bf slogan it's not the best

OP posts:
littlelamb · 14/05/2009 09:13

I think it's great that they offer such a service stealth, they just need to think of a better slogan I think. I have to say that as a breastfeeder I don't give those kind of posters a second glance as I have already made my choice, but I'm not sure a ffer sat in the surgery under that poster woud feel comfortable. But you could say the same for the smoking adverts I guess

BigBellasBeerBelly · 14/05/2009 09:24

i don't really like it I have to say.

it's a bit of a guilt on people who can't/don't want to, as is breast is best i suppose.

I wish they would find something which got the message across without any subtext of being a bad mummy if you do smething different...

WorzselMummage · 14/05/2009 09:49

I don't really like it.

I think something simple like ' You can do it' would work.

Original poster
StealthPolarBear · 14/05/2009 09:53

Do people really think it would make ffing mums feel guilty? Sorry, I don't really see it - surely it's saying you both need to be taken into consideration?
Happy to admit I'm wrong though as I seem to be in a minority, and obviously am looking at this as a breastfeeder.

OP posts:
cory · 14/05/2009 10:01

imo it's too cryptic to even induce feelings of guilt

WhaleOilBeefHooked · 14/05/2009 10:03

"I wish they would find something which got the message across without any subtext of being a bad mummy if you do smething different..."

I don't think that is the subtext. However they promote breastfeeding (and it should be promoted) there will be people saying it makes them feel guilty. Unless the slogan was something like 'don't worry if you can't breastfeed, formula's just as good' which really doesn't cut the mustard!

Hunker's 'every breastfeed makes a difference' is good.

ForeverOptimistic · 14/05/2009 10:11

I don't think it is catchy enough. In fact I've already forgotten the exact words you used.

"Breast is best" is catchy. I don't think the issue is the slogan but how it is promoted. On the TV we have health awareness campaigns for obesity, swine flu, smoking, drinking, drugs, STD's etc but I have never seen a TV advertisement for breastfeeding which gives people the message that maybe it just isn't really that important.

scarletlilybug · 14/05/2009 10:12

I think "choosing for two" is a bit cryptic, tbh.

I get irritated by the "breast is best" slogan because I think that breast isn't "best", it's normal (at least from a biological viewpoint). Formula is an adequate, but inferior, substitute.

Mass media messages motivated by commercial interests, have normalised formula feeding, so that breastfeeding is considered to be ?better?, something to aspire to. The language surrounding breastfeeding often speaks of the ?advantages?, ?benefits? etc. The popular slogan, ?breast is best? exemplifies such comparison, where something else is normal, good, better and then at the highest level, there is breast feeding ? the best. In other words, the "best is breast" slogan implicitly suggests that bottle-feeding is the "norm".

Not got any great ideas for slogans, but wonder about something emphasising the place bf plays in the natural continuum of child-nurturing. "The natural choice"... perhaps something along those lines.

Original poster
StealthPolarBear · 14/05/2009 10:13

I like "Your milk, for your children"

OP posts:
Original poster
StealthPolarBear · 14/05/2009 10:14

(or something catchier, along those lines - I'll never work in marketing!)

Although my child has now decided he likes to start the day with a nice cup of cow's milk - think he likes the fact it's cold

OP posts:
BigBellasBeerBelly · 14/05/2009 10:32

What about "Be a yummy mummy!"

I like "you can do it" as well - I think that might make people think "oh maybe I can!".

The problem I have with all the "preachy" type slogans like breast is best is that a lot of people resent being told what to do, and quite a few will do the opposite just as a point of principle.

WhaleOilBeefHooked · 14/05/2009 10:57

Do they, BigBella? Do people really not breastfeed because they don't like being told it's 'best'?

Does this defiance continue to other things - do people choose to smoke because they're advised not to? To people refuse to eat their 5-a-day because they're told they ought to? (disclaimer - I'm not likening either of these things to bf/ff)

Genuine query!

BigBellasBeerBelly · 14/05/2009 11:02

No need to take the piss whaleoil.

Of course loads of people hate to be patronised - and a lot of the BF messages and people who work in that area come across that way. A lot of people dislike the sort of floaty hippy nature idea that seems to link into the BF message in many peoples minds. They do not want to associate themselves with it. They want to make their own choice and the more one way is rammed down their throats the more likely they are to think "get stuffed I'm doing my own thing".

And the fact is that FF will not kill your baby, while smoking is likely to kill you as is having a really shit diet.

Personally I think people should be given the facts (insofar as they are known) and left to make their own minds up.

WhaleOilBeefHooked · 14/05/2009 11:02

I agree that bf needs to be normalised. 'It's not amazing. It's normal. kind of thing.

I'd never make it in marketing either!

BigBellasBeerBelly · 14/05/2009 11:03

thread here demostrates why a different approach is needed IMO

WhaleOilBeefHooked · 14/05/2009 11:05

I did say I wasn't equating smoking or eating shit to ff! I wasn't taking the piss. You said people will do the opposite of what they're told and I questioned if it extended to other areas of health advice.

I don't know why breastfeeding can't be promoted without people getting offended.

KingRolo · 14/05/2009 11:06

'Be a yummy mummy' is a bit yukky imo.

I don't think 'Breast is best' is preachy at all; it's purely a statement of fact.

BigBellasBeerBelly · 14/05/2009 11:08

I didn't say that "people will do the opposite of what they are told". I said that some people will react against being patronised and preached to. Entirely different things.

whaleoil if you have never met anyone who has had the sort of personality which reacts in that way then I find that a bit odd. Loads of people are like that.