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Original poster

The UK has a breastfeeding rate at 12 months of 0.5% apparently - worst in the world.

330 replies

minifingerz · 29/01/2016 18:03

Whereas 99.4% of women in Senegal, where there is widespread poverty, double the UK average family size, no maternity leave and minimal medical or midwifery support for postnatal mothers, are still going.

Those statistics are mind-boggling, given that most of the 82% of women who start off breastfeeding in the UK state medical reasons for not being able to continue breastfeeding.

Does beg the question - how is this possible?

here

OP posts:
Adeleslostbeehive · 30/01/2016 22:29

I'm Not actually certain it's prescription only. I said that from my first post.

Adeleslostbeehive · 30/01/2016 22:30

I've explained that over and over cats. The explanation isn't good enough for you, but I can live with that

CoteDAzur · 30/01/2016 22:31

So answer my question. If 20% of 6-month-old babies are NOT breastfed AT ALL in Norway, formula is on prescription, and NOBODY gives their babies cow's milk... What is in their bottles?

TheCatsMeow · 30/01/2016 22:33

Adele because you think it's healthier? That's it?

If so then explain why you stop at bfing? Why not make smoking if you have kids illegal? Sterilise those with disabilities they could pass on?

LaPharisienne · 30/01/2016 22:47

Smoking with kids has been targeted - it's now illegal to smoke in cars with kids in, for example. In fact, lots of unhealthy behaviour has been targeted - smoking inside, age limits for buying cigarettes and alcohol...

Not sure why you equate "encouraging healthy behaviours" with "sterilising those with disabilities". Worrying.

Personally, I think there is a distinction between actions which are harmful to one's own health and actions which are harmful to other people's health.

CoteDAzur · 30/01/2016 22:48

Hello? Adele?

Don't worry, I'll be here to ask you the same question tomorrow Smile

NeedAScarfForMyGiraffe · 30/01/2016 22:49

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

CoteDAzur · 30/01/2016 22:50

"a distinction between actions which are harmful to one's own health and actions which are harmful to other people's health"

Are you saying that formula is harmful to babies' health? I would like to see the reputable studies which you must have read before forming this opinion.

TheCatsMeow · 30/01/2016 22:51

LaPharisienne my point is that if you have an issue with someone not choosing the statistically superior option in this area, why not have problems with them doing it in other areas?

Forced bf is not encouraging healthy behaviour!!!

ThirtyNineWeeks · 30/01/2016 22:51

Mini, thanks for answering my question. I balk at breastfeeding being defined as political (despite knowing that's exactly what it has become). I'd like to ask you something else - and please don't think I'm trying to trip you up/trap you - I genuinely don't know the answer to this myself: Why do you think I (educated to degree level; emotionally intelligent; enjoys research) do not fear the risk of breast cancer through not breast feeding? I really don't, and neither do I worry about my FF daughter becoming obese (her 6'5" father is slender as a lat and I, too, am slim). I struggle to believe that FF children have less ear infections or are less intelligent than their breastfed counterparts.

Like I said upthread, I'm currently bring my 5-day-old son, but it is not because I believe his life will have a richer quality - or that his health will be superior to that of his sister, who was FF; I'm bfing him because I 'failed' with his sister and because I'm sick of flying the flag for FF. In short, I want to join your gang (but I seriously do not believe the propaganda surrounding Breast Is Best and unless this fucking hideous nipple pain succeeds I will be swiftly re-joining the ranks of the couldn't-give-a-shits Sad

Adeleslostbeehive · 30/01/2016 22:52

Eh? What question cote? Asking what's in the 20% of babies bottles who are not BF? Formula of course. It's not illegal!

TheCatsMeow · 30/01/2016 22:53

thirtynine I had nipple pain Sad it's horrible isn't it! Good luck whatever you choose

Adeleslostbeehive · 30/01/2016 22:54

Need a scarf don't be ridiculous. If you couldn't make statements about what people do and their behaviours without observing every single one of them you wouldn't be able to do research or gather stats at all.

LaPharisienne · 30/01/2016 22:54

Oh fhs, no-one thinks formula feeding is bad, it's just that breast feeding is better, generally (but NOT necessarily).

My point is that rather than focusing on what individuals do, which adds to the pressure on women, there needs to be a cultural shift where breastfeeding is normal, accepted and most importantly supported by society.

ThirtyNineWeeks · 30/01/2016 22:55

Sorry for typos. I meant more ear infections, and 'being' should be 'bf-ing'.

CoteDAzur · 30/01/2016 22:58

" what's in the 20% of babies bottles who are not BF? Formula of course. It's not illegal!"

Not illegal but accessible only through prescription, you said.

Are you saying that at least 20% of all babies between 6-12 months of age are on prescription for formula?

What kind of prescription is this? It doesn't seem to be based on medical necessity.

NeedAScarfForMyGiraffe · 30/01/2016 22:59

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Adeleslostbeehive · 30/01/2016 23:00

I have said 3 times now I am not sure whether it is prescription only or just harder to obtain. Did you see that? Google is not really confirming either way. I haven't read your link but incidentally, 20% is much higher than the stats I've seen and the others posted on this thread.

CoteDAzur · 30/01/2016 23:01

Adele said nobody feeds their babies formula, and just now said there is formula in the bottles of the 20% of 6-month-olds who are not breastfed.

I think Adele knows she was wrong.

Adeleslostbeehive · 30/01/2016 23:02

I didn't say no one did. Cote said that people will wean early and I said they don't in Norway. Absolutely not specific to every citizen at all. You're just spitting hairs and being contrary; it's not even important

CoteDAzur · 30/01/2016 23:03

"I haven't read your link but incidentally, 20% is much higher than the stats I've seen and the others posted on this thread."

Why don't you try reading it, then?

It will take you just a few seconds to scroll down for Table 24: Breastfeeding rates in Norway reported by three large studies.

CoteDAzur · 30/01/2016 23:04

I know it's not as trustworthy a source as your sister who lives in Norway with her three children, but hey ho.

TheCatsMeow · 30/01/2016 23:04

Still confused why breastfeeding and not all health issues ever.

I have my own theory that some women like to martyr themselves and feel other women should as well. I feel Adele may be in this camp, as earlier when I said formula was easier you said "well having a baby is hard". It's almost as if some women don't want other women to have an easy time.

NeedAScarfForMyGiraffe · 30/01/2016 23:04

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

CoteDAzur · 30/01/2016 23:05

"Cote said that people will wean early and I said they don't in Norway. "

Yes, I said people will wean early and give cow's milk to their babies if access to formula is restricted to prescriptions as was your claim.

Now you have backtracked from that and are saying you don't know if formula is only on prescription in Norway.

I am so disappointed. I thought you knew what goes on in Norway because your sister lives there.