Breastfeeding debate type thingy on gmtv now...

[wellbalanced]

....

i am interested, after having watched the video from SeaShells's link (the one on the right from May 2009) if Nestle were a sponsor when that interview was held.
the reason for the thought is that they seem very pro-breastfeeding there, almost mocking the glamour model for not doing so (and also having a glamour model on in the first place: not saying anything about her intellect here, but more that her boobs are meant for men's enjoyment rather than their practical use as feeding vessels), and LK mentions that she breast-fed.
it's such a contrast to the interview this week that it could almost be a different programme.

at it on homebirths now

this morning thread

'A gmtv spoksperson insisted: "This item was fair and balanced."'

You see, this is a poor understanding of what constitutes journalism imo.

A debate on whether you should reduce the fiscal stimulus? Have people on who believe differing things, because there is no "right" answer.

An issue where the science is entirely clear? You don't treat that like an equally sided debate - and if you do, you make sure the person with the word "expert" in their title is the one who is on the side of the facts.

" gmtv spoksperson insisted: "This item was fair and balanced."
fairly bollocks would be more accurate

Yep - it's the moon is made of green cheese argument, isn't it?

Someone publishes a book which says the moon is made of green cheese. 'Yes, it is really true because a pixie came to me in a dream and told me about it.'

Get the author on to the sofa and sit him down next to someone who says 'rubbish! I have had 20 years professional lunar engineering experience at NASA and I can tell you the moon is definitely not made of green cheese!'

Have a presenter who simpers and giggles and who is unbiased and says, 'well, Professor Lunar, a lot of people do believe the green cheese pixie is telling the truth - how can you prove they are wrong?'

Voila! A fair and 'balanced' debate.

well that's me convinced, always thought it smells a bit cheesy at night too

To bring it full circle, the answer is to strap said author to a rocket to the moon, to research said opinion throughly many many miles from national tv.

In the interest of science of course.

;)

I'm glad to see OFCOM are now investingating this. I hope they are made to retract that nonsense.

Although it will be too little too late, as the damage is already done.

I'm beginning to wonder if it was so outlandish she has actually discredited herself on live tv? I was googling to try to find YouTube of her homebirths contributions and found other forums discussing it in shock, so may be she has done a gerald ratner?

"CBC drowned in a sea of coca cola"

authorsplace.co.uk/clare-byam-cook/blog/gmtv-with-lorraine-kelly/

Is it me or is she still pretending to be a twat "expert" on BF and tooth decay?

Newbie waves hello

Trying to dig herself out of a hole regarding the cola comment.

"This is one of the reasons why mothers who are bottlefeeding are advised to start weaning their baby onto a cup from the age of about six months"

It is one year that you should aim to replace a bottle with a cup.

When did CBC last update her training? 1970s?

CrackFox I believe she was last a registered midwife in the mid-late 80's, which would explain how put of date and plain wrong she is, especially when you consider she has no training, expertise or qualifications in breastfeeding, breastfeeding supper, human lactation or infant feeding. Just her own personal opinions and theories, including "nipple confusion is a myth" and "formula supplements don't effect milk supply or breastfeeding success". Interestingly enough I did once read that she was unable to breastfeed her own babies due to indufficient milk supply, wonder if she was following her own advice.......?

Quite honestly I think she has done a fantastic job of discrediting herself, and I am just waiting for the "Claire Verity" style outing....

Is it my continuing nappy brain or is this comment from Dr Hilary (from the GMTV page) complete gobbledygook?

"Dr Hilary says...

In an ideal world women would breastfeed their babies for up to six months but they are often not supported enough to do it and therefore they give it up.

I would support any encouragement from the government, but equally I'm critical.

It's all well for the government to unveil these guidelines but they need to support it with the right resources ? but instead we are seeing the number of midwives and health visitors in our communities going down."

Hello emizap

It's the "up to six months" thing that pisses me off. He's a doctor, for heavens' sake. Why would he imply there should be a cutoff at six months? It makes no sense...

. Hello Emizap!

The "up to six months" thing is everywhere Longtalljosie. When quoting the guidelines, they always seem to forget to mention that it's exclusively up to six months, and then alongside food for at least two years.

This just helps to perpetuate the myth that anything after six months is wrong.

Yes that up to 6 months thing is everywhere and it's shit. Gives totally the wrong message. Well because it is totally the worng message

greenmonkies "breastfeeding supper" sounds yum. The kids have always thought so anyway

From her statement "My brief from GM TV was to discuss whether it was nutritionally beneficial in a civilised country to continue to give children breast milk as opposed to cows milk beyond the age of two years."

Civilised country? Bloody hell. My jaw just dropped.

Is she implying that other countries that have a tradition of BF till 5yrs are savages?

What has BF got to do with being civilised?

She's not implying anything.

She is saying outright that countries where people have access to plentiful food supplies are civilised and those that don't are uncivilised.

Also gives a big glimpse into why she doesn't like BF, it's uncivilised, ladies don't do it, not for longer than absolutely strictly necessary anyway. 6 month cutoff for her I would guess, and do it discreetly in your home, never in front of males.

I am wondering, did she actually comment on whether it was nutritionally beneficial or not past a certain age.

I know the Coca Cola thing was in relation to tooth decay, but I guess it's also kind of saying that there is no nutritional benefit either.

And then on her blog, she says that an older child should be comforted by a hug, not by a breastfeed.

So, in short, although she says she is happy for anyone to feed as long as they like, she appears to be saying that there is no nutritional benefit and it shouldn't be used for comfort.

No wonder she seems to struggle to "get it" then....

ImSoNotTelling

My two still like a breastfeeding supper, however, I actually meant breastfeeding support (which I'm sure you knew really) but my iPhone decided to play tricks with me....

But you might all enjoy this.

She (whoever 'she' is) also said

"n my opinion, Ann can (and should) breastfeed her children for as long as she wishes but I object to her implying that mothers who don't breastfeed for years on end will have less happy or healthy children. This is the view I wanted to impart to anyone watching the programme.!

which I think is fair comment, no?

But I don't think Ann ever implied that. i think (although I haven't read the book) that she wants to promote natural BF as being entirely normal.