Live online chat with The Rt Hon Beverley Hughes MP, Minister for Children, on Thursday 24th May 1-2pm

[carriemumsnet]

Hi all

Ok this is your chance to have your say about what, in an ideal world, you'd like to happen to childcare, nurseries and pre-schools (as well as debate what's happening in the sometimes non ideal world). The Rt Hon Beverley Hughes, Minister for Children and mum of three, will be joining us for a lunchtime chat on Thursday 24th May, so bring your sarnies, get your questions ready and join us then. For those of you who have unavoidable lunchtime commitments (and letters from your mum to prove it) we'll let you post your questions in advance here. For the rest of you, we'll see you on the 24th.

Oh morechoc, we can only be called intimidating about bf because our culture is so damned scared of it.

In the old days, people used to find women who wore trousers intimidating too. But now they're used to them and doesn't it sound silly to recall how intimidated people were?

well -militant attitudes about bfing make the problem worse, mums aren't going to ask for help if they feel they're going to get slated for not being able to bf?

Hmm if that's the case OO, more fool her in a way. Surely politicians should do some basic preparation for these sorts of media appearances? Maybe they don't, maybe they're too busy...

I don't think I've been militant on here.

I simply asked questions I felt were important.

I offer MUCH support elsewhere on MN re bfeeding.

I'm not quite sure what your point is, MC?

But there's no reason for mums to feel they're going to be slated. What Hunker (and others) are calling for, is more support for all those mothers who want to BF.

militant as in what? are there examples on this thread?

Not once has anyone been 'militant' about breastfeeding on this thread.

I don't really know what militant means in this context tbh

morechoc- i think it's easy to feel like people are being militant about breastfeeding if you yourself wanted to breastfeed but couldn't. it's then hard on you to see people going on about it being best for babies. no one on here is militant.

not sure i'm getting you, morechoc...

the syle is militant - no-one has exactly said " breastfeed or i vil shoot"

but the whole thing reads rather ranty and i do understand the view " alright already we GET IT"

all i'm sayin' is that it might appear different to someone else. I had a brill hv, but i know other people who were left on their own. and some mums don't want to bf that's up to them

I don't get it.

If you are PHYSICALLY unable to breastfeed then you have no choice, therefore why any guilt? I don't feel guilty about things I cannot help. Why would you feel you are beig slated if you CANNOT breastfeed?

unless maybe you just need a bit of distance from your own situation (whatever that is) and see that actually all we are arguing for is improved support for everyone, regardless of whether bfing is ultimately something they can do. seriously, i've been there...

morechoc- so that's why people on here are frustrated with the minister... because of women being left on their own or having a crap hv.

And if you just dont want to, then yes that is your choice, but that shouldn't stop other people talking about it, promoting it and educating others about it, just because of a choice you have made.

Oh, for heaven's sake!

I was speaking (mistakenly, it transpires) to somebody who I thought had power wrt breastfeeding policy.

But I'm not meant to ask questions of her in case it "makes somebody feel bad"?!

I Give Up.

Honestly.

get ivan on here. ivan vs hunker

its rather carried on though after the initial questions and i think we all know where this thread is going.

the posting style was a tad like a sledghammer cracking a nut

on and on and on and on

and b/f is not her remit, as Carrie says

maybe this other MP will come into the lions den...

And Custardo, on an internet forum, you don't know when somebody else is posting, so the combined effect can seem a bit overpowering.

But I don't think I ranted, and I think I made posted intelligent questions.

I'll shut up LOL

LOL custardo

Yes I've got a groundhog day feeling coming over me...

OO, if bfing isn't in her remit, she ought to have said so!

Actually I don't think it's a particularly bad thing that the feelign might be overpowering

Might make some of these people with real power take some notice if they realise it's a real burning issue