Two mothers in three 'fear stares if they breastfeed'
Parliament to debate change in the law to support nursing mothers
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It is as near to the elixir of life as a liquid can get, especially for a newborn baby. But children are still being denied breastmilk by new mums who are too self-conscious to nurse on the go for fear of attracting the opprobrium of a "bottle-fed" nation, according to a new survey that deals a fresh blow to Britain's attempts to improve its pitiful track record on breastfeeding.
Despite decades of initiatives to persuade mothers that "breast is best", most still prefer using infant formula milk because they believe society at large is anti-breastfeeding, a poll for Mother & Baby magazine has found. The survey comes on the eve of World Breastfeeding Week as the Government debates whether to introduce legislation protecting a mother's right to breastfeed.
Nearly two in three mothers believe the UK is "not breastfeeding-friendly", prompting concerns from nursing mums that they would struggle to breastfeed while out and about. Miranda Levy, Mother & Baby's editor, said: "Every mum we questioned understood the health benefits of breastfeeding, but a huge percentage were put off even trying because of the fear of people staring."
She added that many of the 1,200 readers surveyed cited stressful breastfeeding experiences, with one commenting that she was even asked to be more discreet at a "mums and tots" group because the lady running the group had her husband there.
Although the World Health Organisation recommends mothers exclusively breastfeed their babies until they are six months old, barely a third of British babies are still exclusively breastfed at one week and just one-fifth still are by six weeks. By the time babies are four months old, that figure has plunged to 7 per cent, giving Britain one of the worst breastfeeding records in the developed world.
In a first for a mainstream UK publication, Mother & Baby's August cover will feature a nursing mum. In the US, the style tome W showed Angelina Jolie nursing her twins last autumn.
Rosie Dodds, of the National Childbirth Trust (NCT), which helped to conduct the poll, said: "Most women stop breastfeeding because they lack support." The NCT is launching a national drive to promote nursing-friendly venues, although campaigners believes women should feel comfortable breastfeeding anywhere.
Michelle Atkin, who set up Little Angels to promote breastfeeding, thinks that "we see breasts primarily as sexual, and to use them for anything else confuses people".
Ilana King, a counsellor for the Association of Breastfeeding Mothers, said: "If we saw more women out and about breastfeeding then more mums would start but we live in a bottle-feeding culture." A mother of three, including 11-month-old Saul, she said it tended to be the older generation who cast disapproving looks.
The issue of breastfeeding opened up a split during discussions of the Government's controversial Equality Bill, which is going through Parliament. The proposals would enshrine mothers' rights to breastfeed babies aged six months and under in public places, including shops and cafes, granting them legal protection against overzealous staff who fear they would embarrass other customers.
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Comments
So get out there and pop it out for your kiddies. I won't be able to bring myself to look in your direction but I'll live with it.
So go, breast feeding mothers of Britain and live in fear no longer.
I think you mean well here, but the language is appalling. "Sprog", "chugging away", "flop one out".
It comes across as a bit vicious.
Worst of all there is no protection against the abusive and nasty comments from 'members of the public', and as such comments are the biggest obstacle to overcome in removing the fear of breastfeeding in public, this equality bill actually does almost nothing.
It is a shame that so many people, many active in breastfeeding support groups, have been taken in by the government spin. As usual much is being promised, but little actually delivered.
Perhaps in a next life you'll come back as a woman with loads of hungary babies to feed - we'll see if you've changed your mind then!
If a woman is breastfeeding in your vicinity, all she is doing is tending to a child. It does not impose on you in any way.
Perhaps it makes you blush, but that's ok. She'll be far too busy to notice.
Without babies there would be no "life" and babies are meant to consume human milk from a breast. Sorry but even milk from a bottle is inferior.
Further if breastfeeding is a "lifestyle" then so is "formula feeding" which many find offensive, so no more bottle fed babies or animals in public or on TV if you please. Oh and while we're at it Jews and Muslims find your "lifestyle" choice of uncovered hair, or any skin, offensive -so please stop. FYI even Muslims that wear the full covering that only shows their eyes -breastfeed in public; not breastfeeding is considered religiously offensive to them, so again -no more bottle feeding for you. Also no more eating bottom feeding fish, sea food, pigs, or cows, or any meat as you might offend vegetarians, vegans, Jews, Muslims, and Hindu peoples.
I've heard so many mothers saying "I couldn't breastfeed" Bullshit, mostly. The less you make a problem out of it, the more natural it is to breatfeed, and vice versa. Most of the "problems" are psychosomatic. Your body knows how to breatstfeed, but if you don't trust it what can it do? To overcome those problems I recommend Yoga, which helps you regain your trust in your body's functions.
My children were raised in Germany and I never for one moment even considered bottle feeding. However, I don't remember much public nursing. Mostly I fed them at home, orsomewhere private, but if I did do so in public I simply held a light shawl over myself. What's the big deal? I nursed my son unitl he was two and my daughter till she was one. They loved it, and so did I!
This is the height of stupidity. The primary function of the breats is exactly that: for feeding, not for arousal. It is a wonderful, exhilerating experience. To consider breasts soley as sexual organs is a huge distortion and shows just how bizarre life here has become, how estranged women are from themselves.
This is only a shame if a woman who does choose to breastfeed feels too self conscious and anxious to succeed. I think this is a problem, because of the overt sexualisation of females in our culture. Breasts are seen as very sexual and are kept hidden, and this does make it hard to new mums to make that mental shift towards seeing them as functional, and makes it hard for women to find the courage to breastfeed in front of other people.
A woman in harmony witrh herself would instinctively know how to feed her baby, and do so with joy. But we in this part of the world have lost that instinct; in its place has come the fear of droopy breasts etc etc etc.
In humans, we don't want these natural mortalities to occur in our own infants, so have a replacement process at hand... it used to be wet nurses or goat's milk. Now it is formula.
It usually is an effective feeding method of course, but you do need to bear in mind that there is a certain 'culling' mechanism inbuilt into the process too. If mothers and babies were utterly natural in their approach (birth and feeding), about 10% of mums (their reproductive life overall) would now be dead, and about 40% of babies too.
How come only modern Western women have this problem on such a large scale? It's because women who grow up on more natural environments never even think that they "can't" breastfeed. They take it for granted that they can... and guess what, they can, apart from a few exceptions.
I had ny first child in a hospital in Switzerland, and as he was a few weeks early he was too weak to suck. I knew that only through sucking would he be able to generate milk; however, the hospital staff kept pushing bottles on me. I took them, but emptied them in the sink and continued to allow my son to learn to suck. He did learn.
So yes, hopsitak staff and their bottles are indeed a problem, but nobody is forced to do what they say. A little more elf-confidence goes a long way.
And yes, Yoga does help to develop the self confidence to KNOW what is best for your baby, and follow through with it against the advice of medical staff. Having a baby is not an illness. Mothers need to trust themselves.
Establishing breastfeeding in the first few weeks is relentless. It was the most physically demanding -and draining- experience of my life. New mums need the support of a partner/mother to do the majority of the cooking, housework etc, and access to (decent) bf advice. Many people live far away from close family and paternity leave is a paltry 2 weeks.
The physical demands of new-motherhood need above all such inner calmness. ALL of my relatives live in South America, and my husband's relatives rejected me because of my skin colour. I was a single mother when my son was born. I had nobody at all, not even a husband. I had a twenty-year practice of Yoga and meditation to thank for the fact that being a first-time mother, in spite of all these disadvantages, was the most wonderful, happiest, and strongest period of my life.
I have seen these kind of mothers who think it is their God given right to plonk a big floppy breast out in front of the whole world in the middle of ANYWHERE and start feeding - it is not correct to do this. It is arrogant, it is selfish and it represents a kind of twisted feminism based on a philosophy that we are all some kind of earth mothers who have lost connections to nature and the world is against us. NO!
In ancient cultures women fed their babies AWAY from men anyway. Not because of any bad reason but because there is a sacred and delicate bond between mother and child and the privacy of feeding is very precious and should done in be quiet. African women may do it on the fields - well we are not in Africa. We don't have to do it like this.We are lucky. For example, if i suffer from hemmoroids and I have the belief that my ARSE is natural and part of the human body that I am not ashamed of - should I pull my pants down in the middle of ANYWHERE to apply hemmoroid cream just because I think people should accept something so natural? Well it is the same with BREASTS. They are a private part of the body and yes, in our culture they are considered sexual - so cover them up on the high street, in restaurants and feed your babies discreetly in private.
Just think about it from your own perspective: if you had the chance of drinking something incredibly healthy that gave you all the nutrients, anti-bodies and calories you needed, something that was tailor-made just for you - wouldn't you choose that instead of an artificial alternative? Babies would choose breastmilk.
Breastfeeding also creates an amazingly close bond of trust between mother and baby. The baby trusts that s/he will get the nourishment and comfort they need. If your baby is hungry in a public place you need to feed them then and there. Yes, do it discretely but if someone stares or gets offended that's their problem, not yours.
It should be done in private
breast feeding is good and there is no shame in it
but it should be done in private
you are twisting my points in order to avoid the very truth that breast feeding in front of public is coarse and vulgar and selfish, it takes self respect and dignity to feed your baby discreetly
it is really very selfish to get out your breasts ANYWHERE and start feeding
it is a very private act
I can't believe that you, as a woman, and an intelligent one too, could come out with such things.
You won't and can't be harmed by another woman breastfeeding. No decorum is broken and so what if it is? It wasn't done for your entertainment... the baby is being fed because it requires some nourishment. The mother isn't do a pole dance. All she is doing is suckling an infant. Its very clean, asexual and natural.
I think perhaps you need to step back and think again in a more philosophical way.
Ialso agree that it is a private moment, so if I saw a woman breastfeeding in public I would simply look away. What's the problem?
Actually I've seen more nipples accidentally fall out of ridiculously low cut tops than I've seen mom's miss it when a baby suddenly unlatches. I'm not going to say it doesn't happen, it does, its happened to me -but usually I'm not right in the middle of a store picking something up nor at the cash when it happens.
You almost never see any nipple, rarely see much more than the top inch of breast when a woman is nursing. Actually mostly you see their side more than anything. And while a bit of pudgy abs with stretch marks isn't the top of "hot things people want to see" its not exactly offensive either.
And why the heck are men allowed to go around topless and not women (actually where I live its perfectly legal for women to go topless as we aren't hypocrites)
I have no problem with women breatfeeding their babies - it is natural and harmless. On the other hand, if you are going to get your tits out in public then you must expect that men (and even some other women) will look at you.
It seems that some women want to have their cake and eat it - as always. They want to be able to act the way THEY want (ie. breastfeed in public) but deny others the right to act the way THEY want (ie. look at them).
So here's the deal: you breastfeed in public and I'll look at you. OK? And even if it's not OK with you, that's the way it's going to be.
Another example of modern indoctrination against nature.
In 2002 after an 8 yr break I had another baby and it took a mnth for me to pluck up courage to feed her in public after the previous ordeals. Once I finally did I got a lovely surprise. Not one person abused me. Members of the public actually made eye contact and smiled and shop workers went out of their way to make sure I was comfortable.
It does take some courage, and people will look if they realise what you are doing, because it is seen as unusual and they will be curious. Its not malicious though, and after you've done it a few times, you cease to notice. Once you find your feet with it, it really liberates you and your baby... you can go anywhere and do anything without it being an ordeal and without military planning. It helps you feel part of society again, which also helps problems like postnatal depression. Its so important that new mums don't feel isolated from their communities.
A breastfeeding 'activity' is between mother and child not the public at large.
As for other 'bodily functions' - most folk need the toilet several times a day whereas most don't breastfeed several times a day so it's unusual and therefore something to stare at.
I just think it is another 'look at me' thing myself. Everything out on display. Also a bit of self righteousness could be? so "I'm doing this 'fine thing' and I don't care if you're lunchtime gaze is either on me or trying to avoid me"
I fed my babies when they were tiny, but never in public - never occurred to me - no need. Sometimes a bit of sensitivity to other people goes a long way.
AND come off it 'lifegiving /female androids / Sarah Palin' messager - breasts say more than MOTHER now don't they.
Its a 'feeding a baby' kind of thing. It does mums good to get out the house and meet friends at a cafe after having a baby, and chances are, when they do, the baby will get hungry and cry.
If its bottle fed, well, that's quite a common sight, a baby in a cafe being fed a bottle from a bottle warmer. Why should a breastfed baby be viewed any differently? Why should that mum and her baby be struggling lonely and isolated indoors because someone might blush, or find this a bit uncomfortable.
Its very rarely noticable anyway. I hope todays new mums are not distressed by the very silly comments being posted by some people today. I'd say to them, its perfectly ok to get out the house sometimes, and if you do have to nurse while out, 90% of the public won't realise 90% of the time.
Why were we not all saying things that we believed?
Also declaring you are 'mum of 3' - what is this some sort of one up-manship. I have had 3 children -so what?
Mothers have to respect - be sensitive to - other people's views.
That lots of comments are deemed to be 'silly' by you, (apart from your own I take it) says a lot really. Some people were using humour to get their point across yes, but it represents their view and that is why they took the time to respond.
I do genuinely think there are some very silly comments about breasts here, about only feeding babies in private for fear of causing offense.
That concerns me a lot and any humour intended sadly didn't come across.
New mums may read these comments and be very much affected by them. Postnatal depression is a real problem for new mums and feeling isolated at home can be a big cause of it. I hate the idea of new mums feeling they can't get out and about.
And exactly, mums have to respect each others views. This is why mums should not be disparaging each other for feeding their babies in public.
I'll defend any mums wish to escape the home with her baby and breastfeed wheresoever she wants.
Perhaps you were not taught manners as a child, though.
Breastfeeding is NOT best, its NOT special, there are NO health advantages, its not EXTRA. Breastfeeding is the biological norm, period. Breastfeeding is normal for baby, formula is less than normal. Breastfeeding allows for normal health, formula has a negative impact on health. Breastfeeding allows for NORMAL bonding -bottle feeding (whether its breast milk or formula) allows feeding to not be done by mom nor in skin-to-skin contact.
And the messages should be -Nurse with a nursing cover (like a hooter hider, bebe au lait, shawl, etc), nurse in a bathroom, nurse in your car, nurse in a nursing room, nurse at home and pump milk while you are out -just nurse! There is nothing wrong with nursing any time, any where, without shame, without covering, without hiding -but if nursing in public isn't right for you that doesn't mean you can't nurse.
Also I find this "he proposals would enshrine mothers' rights to breastfeed babies aged six months and under in public places, including shops and cafes, granting them legal protection against overzealous staff who fear they would embarrass other customers." absolutely disgusting. A baby that is 7 months old doesn't NEED breastmilk any less than one that is 6 months old. Breastfeeding a baby that is 7 months old isn't somehow sexual or disgusting. Women should have the right to breastfeed ANY child ANY where without fear of harassment or worse charges of public lewdness or impropriety. People should not be allowed to tell a breastfeeding woman to move, use nursing room, or cover up. Sadly the only way to actually stop private citizens, businesses, and even the police from hassling breastfeeding women is to not only pass laws that allow a woman the "right" to nurse anywhere but to actually have and enforce fines for those that deny them this right.
Breasts are for breastfeeding, they are no more sexual than feet or ears. In fact an awful lot of people find feet more arousing, and a lot of women do not like having their breasts touched during sex but do enjoy having their ears nibbled.
http://www.bobrow.net/kimberly/birth/BF
"The truth is, breastfeeding is nothing more than normal. Artificial feeding, which is neither the same nor superior, is therefore deficient, incomplete, and inferior. These are difficult words, but they have an appropriate place in our vocabulary."
The lactation consultant says, "You have the best chance to provide your baby with the best possible start in life, through the special bond of breastfeeding. The wonderful advantages to you and your baby will last a lifetime." And then the mother bottlefeeds. Why?
In part because that sales pitch could just as easily have come from a commercial baby milk pamphlet. When our phrasing and that of the baby milk industry are interchangeable, one of us is going about it wrong...and it probably isn't the multinationals. Here is some of the language that I think subverts our good intentions every time we use it.
[...]
Advantages. When we talk about the advantages of breastfeeding--the "lower rates" of cancer, the "reduced risk" of allergies, the "enhanced" bonding, the "stronger" immune system--we reinforce bottlefeeding yet again as the accepted, acceptable norm.
[...]
Nowhere is the comfortable illusion of bottlefed normalcy more carefully preserved than in discussions of cognitive development. When I ask groups of health professionals if they are familiar with the study on parental smoking and IQ (1), someone always tells me that the children of smoking mothers had "lower IQs." When I ask about the study of premature infants fed either human milk or artificial milk (2), someone always knows that the breastmilk-fed babies were "smarter." I have never seen either study presented any other way by the media--or even by the authors themselves. Even health professionals are shocked when I rephrase the results using breastfeeding as the norm: the artificially-fed children, like children of smokers, had lower IQs.
http://www.examiner.com/x-14531-Day
"Whilst it was refreshing to actually see breastfeeding discussed on tv, I was not expecting to hear such a one sided argument.
When the scene(s) first started I thought that the negative points were going to be balanced out by Maria or Tony stating the benefits. And that it was a useful scene to provide debate on breastfeeding.
The only points raised in regards to breastfeeding were of a negative connotation.
As a breastfeeding counsellor and someone who breastfed their child, I am only too aware of the pressure new mums feel to breastfeed, and the problems that can arise. However more shocking is the desperately low figure of breastfeeders in the country, and those that continue to breastfeed beyond 6 weeks.
Coronation street was in an ideal position to educate and inform the viewers as to the many benefits of breastfeeding, and to encourage mothers to breastfeed. And also provide facts for any family members to help support the breastfeeding mother.
Instead it has sent out powerful and negative statements. Which unfortunately, some will believe, without checking out the benefits for themself.
I only hope that in future episodes they will higlight the benefits of breastfeeding, and not continue to grossly misrepresent and misinform such a sensitive issue".
I will happily provide one if you wish to amend the article!
Children are a part of life, and it's what babies do. It's just normal. The more it's seen in public the more the rest of society will realise it is normal and hopefully our rates and nation's health will improve!
So get out there, live a normal life with children in tow (it's how they learn) and if a baby is hungry feed it!
Is anyone on this messgaeboard from Kent? I'm from BBC Radio Kent, the breakfast show here would like to discuss this topic and find out what it's like for nursing mothers in our county.
If you would like to contribute or have any comments you'd like to share please contact us at radio.kent.news@bbc.co.uk.
Many Thanks, Hannah Ratcliffe