Anyone currently reading Politics Of Breastfeeding?

[hunkermunker]

I'd like to talk about bits of it with people who are reading it/have read it/are interested in reading it/aren't currently interested in reading it, but will be once they've read the thread. And likely some other people too, but I haven't thought of their categories yet.

Tigermax, yes, that chimes with feelings I've had reading it. I think some women didn't know you were "allowed" to do things a certain way - I had a comment from an older family member I found incredibly sad when DS1 was a baby "I didn't know you were allowed to cuddle babies so much".

The stuff about immune response was fascinating - esp re transplant success being more likely between breastfed siblings.

Great post Tiger. I think the lack of confidence/instinctiveness is largely a product of the commercialisation of every area of parenting. First time parents excitedly buy parenting manuals they don't actually need and are undermined and dispirited when their baby does not fit the template. So they buy a different book and so on. I see this all too often. But that's another thread I suppose.

Anybody got any further with this?

Just reading the section now on the code. How the US was initially involved and then wiggled out and started to undermine it. And I'm thinking wouldn't it be fabulous if Obama now announced the US was going to follow it.
I bought a copy of People magazine the other day and my jaw just dropped at the formula ads. One big pull-out with a huge photo of a newborn - 'strong babies start here', 'you take care of them on the outside and we'll do the inside' or something equally monstrous.

I was stunned by the stories of pockets of communities who had historically shunned breastfeeding. Really loved the stuff about 'it's not just the milk that counts'. And the comment on our Western industrialized view of parenting and the emphasis on a baby's 'independence'. Can we really ever expect to get to a 90+% bfing as long as we believe mothers who are attached to their babies are eccentric and babies should be self-reliant as soon as possible.

Reading the book has made me think that we aren't going to make much progress at making bf normal.
I reckon that unless you 1) come from a family/culture where bf is the norm 2) are prepared to put up with nonsense from others (poss inluding HVs etc) 3) have access to good support, successfully bf inf in this country is pretty tough.

I can't see how rates are going to improve while bf / ff is presented as a choice between two equal things. They just aren't the same and while no one wants to upset women who ff the huge desire not to upset them doesn't help improve bf rates. IMO.

Making formula prescription only would do the job but I can't see that happening. Using the term 'artificial feeding' in NHS leaflets and by HCPs would help too, I reckon.

All quite depressing really.

I really don't think prescription-only formula is the answer - why put people who generally don't understand bf in charge of deciding which mothers can stop bfing? That way misogyny lies, I am afraid.

Unbranded, "best science we have, but without marketing bullshit" formula would be the best thing - for mothers who couldn't/won't bf for whatever reason and for their babies. Unfortunately, the formula market is worth billions annually, so that's v unlikely to happen - esp in this "big business runs Government" culture we have.

Talking of the US and the Code, I wonder if Michelle Obama bf her girls?

Oh, good article! I'm yet to read anything about her I dislike - how fab to take her baby into an interview!

I have borrowed this book from my friend who is doing a community art project about breastfeeding. If you're in the right area you may even have been photographed with your norks out (with permission I hasten to add)
I'm hoping to get stuck in tomorrow

Ooh is the new edition out?

I think there is a photo that I took in there, of my friend breastfeeding her toddler upside-down

Wow cool! I will have to buy a copy and have a look. It was in the IBFAN calendar - Palmer sent me a lovely email asking if she could use it in her new book. She sounded very lovely indeed.

Oh, that's great, MP! Yep, just found the pic - towards the end of the book - lovely! Reading the book, you get a sense of Gabrielle Palmer as someone who cares deeply and is generally a decent sort, definitely.

I have FINALLY got mine, dunno why amazon took so long to deliver

have read about a chapter. Very good. Read the last edition a few years ago but this looks like a serious improvement.

I've just finished reading it.

Kazbeth, she did acknowledge that hand expressing doesn't work for everyone. I found that bit quite interesting, I think I might ask our bf counsellor to show me how to do it again, in a few months when I have to think about whether I'm going to try to express at all when I return to work.

I noticed that picture mp, it's right at the end of the book so noticed it every time I flicked back to read the references.

Not yet but I've just got it from Amazon.

Will chip in when I've read some of it!

dxx

Tamba thanks for the link.

My local hospital stocked 2 types of formula - does anyone know if I can find out if it's subsidised under the freedom of information act?

dxx

I am totally loving this book. I cannot put it down! I am finding some bits a revelation, as i never thought of things in that way, for example about women being more autonomous before industrialisation and urban living.

Other bits I find sad, about babies dying unnecessarily because of well-meaning ignorance, or plain ignorance.

I want to make soooo many people read it (esp my family) to understand that actually in the scheme of the whole world i am not abnormal for breastfeeding a 18mo. i have bought copies for several friends (am currently in Australia and it is not published here, nor in the USA)

Gabrielle Palmer sounds fascinating. Am off to bed to read a bit more!

Weasle - I'm touting it to everyone I know also. Although with an 8 week old baby and a toddler I haven't had a chance to pick it up in almost two weeks.

Agree with so many of the comments.

I am pg but I will not be surprised that once I have the baby if I find I get subtle pressure from friends to stop BF around 6 months.

My DH bought me this book as a surprise after I saw this post, and mentioned it, such a fascinating book and a great gift.

It really made me think just how uncomfortable culturally it can be for women to bf in the UK.

It also reinforced the consumerism of babies, all the product placements that you get bombarded with.

It made me realise that the protective power of breastfeeding is not promoted well enough.

I have just seen the Channel 4 tonight news on Somalia I have just seen images of what seemed to be a mother seemingly unable to bf, although the report pictures broke up on screen because of the thunder storms in london. Anyhow it got me thinking about the statement that during the west dafur famine in 84 and 85 infant mortality rates did not increase due to BF whereas other mortality rates -child and adult deaths did increase substantially.

I agree Weasle, it is so sad that there are so many malnourished people on this planet.