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Infant feeding

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

Original poster

Mum of the Year

36 replies

darcymum · 11/05/2010 21:08

I had a bit of an idea, what do others think? We should lobby organisers of the Mum of the Year competition in include a couple of breast feeding awards. I think Kerry Katona won one year but never mind, it might still promote breast feeding and recognize that its not always easy.

Here's a link, although I think there are a few competitions.

So what do you think, rubbish idea or not?

OP posts:
Fibilou · 11/05/2010 21:22

On the one hand we shouldn't need something to recognise what is perfectly natural and should be more commonplace. OTOH anything that promotes BFing has got to be good given our woeful rates.
I did read in the illustrious pages of Hello! magazine (in the hairdressers ;)) that the Flabio Briatore's wife is breastfeeding and I was so glad that they had mentioned it in the article.

Original poster
darcymum · 11/05/2010 21:24

They could even have a celebrity breast feeder of the year.

OP posts:
Fibilou · 11/05/2010 21:25

But how would you judge it ? Which celeb has been seen out and about BFing most ? Which celeb has promoted BFing the best ? Which celeb do BFing mums see as an inspiration ?

smallishsheep · 11/05/2010 21:26

Horrible idea.
Can you imagine on the flip side a celebrity bottle feeder of the year? No, I thought not. (23 months and still feeding btw, so very pro, I just don't need a gurning celebrity to make my choice valid)

frasersmummy · 11/05/2010 21:28

yeah cos all bfing mums are sooo much more deserving than ffing mums

sungirltan · 11/05/2010 21:34

i second celebrity breast feeder award - that would be such a great bf promo gimmick!

frasersmummy - chill - no one is judging but surely you realise bf needs all the promotion it can get?

ps can we not nominate colleen rooney please

Fibilou · 11/05/2010 21:35

When only 7% of UK babies are breastfed at 4 months then yes, I think anyone that promotes it (celeb or any other Mum) deserves a pat on the back

sungirltan · 11/05/2010 21:39

i'd like to see bf get a super glam makeover :-)

Original poster
darcymum · 11/05/2010 21:41

As I understand it breast feeding is a very middle class thing, so if you could rope in younger mums by making it glam, get it covered by heat what's not to love!

OP posts:
Original poster
darcymum · 11/05/2010 21:42

I'm going to email them, do you think they'll go for it?

OP posts:
Fibilou · 11/05/2010 21:45

My poor SIL actually feels bad for breastfeeding AT HER POSTNATAL GROUP as she is the only one BFing. BFing really needs a non-confrontational boost imho

Shaz10 · 11/05/2010 21:47

Can I vote for Kate Garraway? She and I both got lovely abscesses at around the same time.

frasersmummy · 11/05/2010 21:49

I just think handing out awards for bfing is saying look at us we are super mums

like smallisheep said you wouldnt hand out an award for bottle feeding

why not use the power of mn to persuade a celebrity bfing mum to start a national campaign to extole the benefits for both mum and baby rather than handing them an award for doing what comes naturally

Original poster
darcymum · 11/05/2010 21:55

So, I emailed them, I'll keep you posted when they reply.

OP posts:
Original poster
darcymum · 11/05/2010 22:10

"why not use the power of mn to persuade a celebrity bfing mum to start a national campaign to extole the benefits for both mum and baby rather than handing them an award for doing what comes naturally"

But you would get loads of publicity for breast feeding from it and it might encourage Heat readers.

OP posts:
smallishsheep · 11/05/2010 22:17

But you would get loads of publicity for breast feeding from it and it might encourage Heat readers.

ffs, how patronising

Original poster
darcymum · 11/05/2010 22:23

"it might encourage Heat readers" ok your right, that is a bit patronising.

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cory · 12/05/2010 08:39

An award for doing something to actively promote breastfeeding sounds fine; an award for merely breastfeeding is yuk. As others say, how do you judge it? Points knocked off for getting mastitis? Babies weighed to see who is the most successful? But promoting is good.

Original poster
darcymum · 12/05/2010 13:14

I think points added on for getting mastitis and getting through it! Why not congratulate women for feeding when its been really hard and getting a celebrity promoting it.

OP posts:
Fibilou · 13/05/2010 08:33

Having had mastitis I say lots of points for carrying on through it !

Yes, I think it should be about promoting, not doing.

StealthPolarBear · 13/05/2010 08:35

Double points for twins

StealthPolarBear · 13/05/2010 08:36

Are the other awards for promotion or for just being?
I don't think bf mum of the year is any more patronising than mum of the year - what makes her better than the rest of us? Or is it based on time spent in the park / making cakes / building sticklebricks?
Think both are slightly patronising/pointless tbh

slushy06 · 13/05/2010 09:12

I think it will encourage younger people from a lower backround.

I live in a area where rates are one of the lowest I have to correct gp because they assume I ff a lot of working class here I have not seen another bf in quite a large town. But people around here are motivated by the stars so another vote here.

Fibilou · 13/05/2010 11:27

I agree with you on that SPB - and how can they judge what Kerry Katona, Jordan etc are like at home ? They hve no idea what they are like as mothers and if you ask me it's the ones that don't shove their kids into the spotlight every 5 minutes to raise their own profile that are the better parents [po faced]

Shaz10 · 13/05/2010 11:51

Fibilou I'd lose points for giving up after mastitis/abscess! Good job I'm not a celebrity.