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Help me make breastfeeding normal again

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It sucks doesn't it! Or not, as the case may be. There's no question that breastfeeding has a shoddy image; it just ain't the done thing in Western society (writing this I as am in the UK). Why? perhaps because the formula guys have done such a great job of exploiting the natural paranoia, insecurities and self-doubt almost every woman giving birth in modern times experiences. It used to be that by the time a mother actually gave birth, the whole nurturing lark had been drummed in so thoroughly from years of growing up in an extended family where everyone helped and breastfeeding was the norm, that she wouldn't have to think twice about a)being able to breastfeed [not enough milk eh???] and b) being supported in doing so. Those days are long gone, and young expectant mums have very few role models, sadly. So, here's my bit to reverse the trend and reclaim breastfeeding! (nb the image is my go at designing a universal breastfeeding icon in response to a call for entries by Mothering magazine)

Real Yummy Mummies? They breastfeed.

Who or what is a yummy mummy anyway? Surely one can't be yummy in the truest sense unless one is lactating. Quite.

See, my gripe is that the media is quite comfortable examining ad nauseum the minute detail of today's young, clever, blonde twenty- or thirtysomething mums who in the name of yumminess are seen pushing empty prams around Portobello Rd in their Manolos whilst nanny dear bottlefeeds the baby and cleans up the poop and sick. And we, the consumers of this media bile are quite happy being informed of the latest hair, cardi, drug-addled-boyfriend, crappy-yet-catchy song or inane blathering nonsense issuing from our favourite chavtastic yummy. But, on a hint of a whisper of the word 'breastfeeding', we run a mile. We are repulsed, freaked out, scared and disgusted. But from a semantic point of view, surely only a breastfeeding mummy is truly yummy. Oh - some of our media dahlings do breastfeed. And that's great. But the media can't sell that, can they? Instead of using a prime opportunity to 'sell' the idea of breastfeeding as a fantastic and miraculous way to protect and nurture a child, all we get is the odd sarcastic aside when a celebrity puts her extreme weight loss postpartum down to breastfeeding. It's a wasted opportunity to promote some role models. Sad, yes, that today's young women are growing up in a world where they need to depend on celebrities for their role models, but, since this is the case, why not use that reality to do good work. Use the wiles the formula manufacturers have honed for so long to turn the tables and 'market' breast milk back to the next generation.[Yup, Emma Thompson did breastfeed]

Links for when you need HELP!

helplines, charities, support

Best Beginnings
UK charity I have been working with whose aim is to give every child the right to a healthy start. Best Beginnings is making innovative grassroots projects work (such as a DVD for every pregnant woman in the UK, art and design exhibitions to engage schoolchildren). They urgently need regular donations to continue this work.h
Association of Breastfeeding Mothers (UK)
One of the UK's breastfeeding support charities - peer counsellors, great and invaluable Yahoo chat group where mums and bf counsellors can discuss problems and issues.
Little Angels Breastfeeding Support (UK)
A fantastic peer support group based in the North of England where breastfeeding rates among young mums especially are bad.
The Breastfeeding Network
UK site offering help and support: you can phone a counsellor and find information and resources on all aspects of breastfeeding.
NCT :: The National Childbirth Trust
The best known breastfeeding/parenting charity in Europe. Valuable information, and huge network of breastfeeding counsellors with local branches and phone numbers. Parenting classes and fundraising too.
La Leche League International: Breastfeeding Information and Support
The La Leche League International mission is: To help mothers worldwide to breastfeed through mother-to-mother support, encouragement, information, and education and to promote a better understanding of breastfeeding as an important element in the healthy development of the baby and mother.{they are very pro-bf and anti premature weaning}
National Breastfeeding Campaign (Ad Council materials) (USA)
Help, information and past ads run to promote breastfeeding. A USA based-site by the department of health. Look, Tony Blair! See - you too, should be spending money on BF ads! Go ask George all about it.
Fathers Direct - The National Information Centre on Fatherhood
Fathers Direct is The National Information Centre on Fatherhood in the UK. Woohoo! Info for dads on all things, but also breastfeeding!
Dr. Jack Newman's Articles on Mama Dearest
Articles by JACK NEWMAN, MD, FRCPC, a Toronto pediatrician who has practised medicine since 1970. His articles are well known and published throughout the world. Here Canadian site Mama Dearest hosts an amazing collection of JN's articles and videos including the 'myths of breastfeeding' series. A must read.

Links for when you need INSIGHT and sometimes HUMOUR!

Breastfeeding gems from around the web

This is a collection of sometimes-esoteric, always interesting thoughts, discussions, information and more on the subject of breastfeeding (and sometimes associated things like attachment parenting or how to pretend you haven't got a big orange poo stain on your new white trousers. Oh, no, I made that up.)
UK BF Manifesto
This is the home of the Breastfeeding Manifesto, a document outlining 7 key objectives the UK Government should adopt to promote BF. It was sent to Tony Blair and all MPs in Oct 2006, and has had its official launch in Parliament during UK breastfeeding week in May 2007.It is rapidly gaining support among MPs and members of the public; if you go to the site you can download a pdf of the manifesto, check whether your local MP has signed up, and add your own support.
101 Reasons to Breastfeed Your Child - The Natural Child Project
101 Reasons to Breastfeed Your Child by Leslie Burby. Need I say more?
Hathor the Cow Goddess and the Evolution Revolution
Absolutely unstoppable, unique and dead funny! Cartoons, blog and more.
breastfeedingisnormal.org - Web Banners
You must download these and put them on your webspace. I would if I could work it out. Great, pro-bf web banners, some of which made me laugh so hard I nearly peed my pants. Actually I did pee my pants. Ahem. Lots of serious and very useful info on here too.
Express Yourself Mums - National Breastfeeding Survey
If you can, fill out this survey commissioned by the excellent support and advocacy cite ExpressYourselfMums. A general breastfeeding and a workplace survey. They desperately need more respondents. Also a great selection of articles, products and help.
Breastfeed.com: Articles: It's in the Bag
Article about what every hospital should have: BF friendly goody bags for new mums.
BREASTFEEDING AWAY FROM HOME
The parenting guru Dr William Sears shares his thoughts and advice on Nursing in Public

Links for when you want to BLIND them with SCIENCE

facts, figures, research

From the world's leading experts and other important people. That doesn't include Britney Spears, OK?
UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative
Guidelines adopted by Baby-Friendly hospitals in the UK. Read how hospitals can become Baby-Friendly and find your nearest Baby-Friendly facility. (NB Baby Friendly in the context of breastfeeding)
WHO | Weight-for-age (Girls)
At last! Real growth charts based on breastfed babies not formula fed ones. For those who like charts, that is. Me, I prefer to use my eyes. Healthy, happy baby? check. Lots of wees and poos? check. Nice full face? check. Yippee!
WHO | Weight-for-age (Boys)
Thanks Travis - this one's for the boys
Kathy Dettwyler's Thoughts on Breastfeeding
Thoughts on Breastfeeding by Katherine A. Dettwyler, Ph.D. This lady is THE guru on breastfeeding. Someone tells you you shouldn't be feeding your toddler? Refer them to Ms Dettwyler and she'll sort them out.
Journal of Human Lactation
Need we say more? A whole journal about lactation. Cool.
Suck on This - baby junk food industry
Fantastic and comprehensive article from Pat Thomas of The Ecologist Magazine.

Celebrities who breastfeed

real yummy mummies!

A list of celebrities who have breastfed. I'm not saying that you have to be a celebrity to be a real yummy mummy. It's just that some of these women could be role models to our young mums who, after all, tend to be rather obsessed with celebritydom, sadly.
  • Davina McCall (Big Brother presenter)
  • Sadie Frost (UK actress and ex of Jude Law)
  • Kate Beckinsale (UK actress)
  • Tilda Swinton (seen on our screens as the witch in the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe)
  • Elle Macperson (UNICEF ambassador for breastfeeding)
  • Lucy Lawless (Xena: warrior princess)
  • Jerry Hall (need we say more)
  • Sara Cox (Radio 1 DJ and ex party girl)
  • Sharleen Spiteri (Lead singer of Texas)
  • Emma Thompson (acclaimed UK actress)
  • Liz Hurley (I think)
  • Keely Shaye Smith (most famous for being Pierce Brosnan's wife)
  • Sarah Jessica Parker
  • Sarah Maclachlan
  • Kate Winslet
  • Angelina Jolie (still going strong I guess)
  • Jools Oliver
  • Gwyneth Paltrow
  • anyone got any others? leave them in the guestbook, please. Especially those who have breastfed for 6 months or longer.

Vote!

Maybe you are a nursing mother, maybe you have been, or maybe you've never picked up a baby in your life. But you can put yourself in the position of a nursing mum in modern Britain or USA or any other society where the bottle still rules. Ask yourself which one of the options below would give you the biggest confidence boost to nurse in public.

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on message: my tees at CafePress

all profit goes straight back into our campaign to promote breastfeeding

milk of human kindness (mohk) is in its infancy but will grow to be a social enterprise, supporting and involving young mums, introducing relevant role models and giving breastfeeding a 'makeover' to make it more acceptable in their eyes.
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Cool Books for Real Yummy Mummies

(by real I mean lactating, honey)

My personal pick of the essential night-night reading for busy yummies. Note no Gina Ford nightmare woman tomes, thank-yooooo!
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Fighting back against the formula tide

useful resources for toppling the bottle

This extract from Mothering Magazine (issue 137 July/August 2006) says it all...
"The incidences of bottle homage are often subtle enough that we do not see them. They operate as a sort of smokescreen. Although doctors, nurses, mothers and even formula manufacturers endlessly drone that "breast is best," they have not succeeded in surmounting the societal perception that the bottle is nonetheless okay, that it is really almost as good-indeed, that it is still the social norm. This normalization of the bottle takes place on a variety of levels and through a variety of media. Formula ads trumpet the putative benefits of artificial milk ("closer than ever to breastmilk"), but the real message-that bottle-feeding is the norm-is conveyed through less visible forms of representation. And while the media are discreet and the offenses hard to pinpoint, the message is presented persuasively enough that the many studies proving that breastfeeding is essential for normal human health and that formula can be harmful do not speak as loudly as the cultural cajolings that whisper to parents that bottle-feeding is just fine: Go ahead, you were bottle-fed, and you turned out alright." [Stephanie Ondrack]

So here are some links to help turn the tide:
BFLG - Monitoring Code Violations
If you think a formula company has violated the Code (International Code for the Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes) by inappropriate advertising, you can go to this site and submit your information. This is a UK site but has links for other countries.
The International Code in full
Full text of the International Code of the Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes
Mothering Magazine
Consistently Pro-breastfeeding with articles and an online forum (including a lactivism section)

Get in touch

want me to add you? want to get into a group with me?

I'm a sucker for feedback. So go: feed. back. ta.

submit
  • Reply
    Merstarr Nov 23, 2011 @ 11:05 pm | delete
    Love the lens!! Also a breastfeeding advocate and currently busy nursing my 2nd child. Heres some more celebs for you! http://www.babyworld.co.uk/features/celeb_breastfeeders.asp#1 Keep up the great work xx
  • Reply
    hipreplacementlawsuit Apr 8, 2011 @ 2:29 pm | delete
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  • Reply
    hipreplacementlawsuit Apr 8, 2011 @ 2:27 pm | delete
    DePuy hip recall lawyers can help you out. They are the ones who will make sure that your rights are always protected. Seek their valuable help right away.

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  • Reply
    tandemonimom Sep 11, 2010 @ 1:03 pm | delete
    Power to the breastfeeding mommies! I breastfed my four babies for a total of 12 years of nonstop breastfeeding, through pregnancies and tandem nursing to boot (whence my handle "tandemonimom"). I wouldn't give up a single day of it and neither would my kids!
  • Reply
    love4free Jul 19, 2010 @ 9:53 am | delete
    Formula vs. breastfeeding. lovely ideas. Keep it up.
    Please visit my lens here
  • Reply
    SeeMyHealthyHairGrow May 17, 2010 @ 3:27 pm | delete
    Nice lens. I especially like the link list of support organizations. I wish I had that when I was nursing.
  • Reply
    Kiosks4business Apr 21, 2010 @ 3:29 am | delete
    Great lens - Keep up the good work - Breast is Best!!

    http://www.squidoo.com/retail-kiosks
  • Reply
    ExSmoker07 Jan 13, 2010 @ 2:03 pm | delete
    A women should do it if SHE feels comfertable. It of of course better for the baby, but I know many others who grew up without the breastfeeding without any real issues. Further more, my friend was fanatic, and she breast feed for two years, of course she worked and used medela breast pump to keep it going, but the fact is, her daughter is constantly ill and has so many alergies. Breastfeeding is healthy, of course, and who ever can do it should do it, I however feel that women who work should only do it until children turn 1 and after that stop. I strongy believe her daughter is so sick, because the quality of milk decreased to a highly stressful job. Just my two cents.
  • Reply
    access2 Apr 1, 2009 @ 12:33 am | delete
    Wow! You should definitely submit this to The LaLeche League Group!
  • Reply
    danaseilhan Feb 18, 2009 @ 2:05 pm | delete
    Here in the U.S. it is claimed that 75 percent of mothers breastfeed their babies. That may be true in hospital, but once they're out the rate steeply declines. I didn't get to bf my older child because I didn't know what I was doing and neither did the nurses who were supposed to know. I almost failed with my daughter (even the lactation consultants weren't much help) until she figured out Mom was always warm and always ready to go when she got hungry. Yes, newborns can use logic. :) She's four now and still nurses to sleep. I'm sure we'd be seen as freaks by those who went straight to formula or who nursed for six weeks. Well, they say the average weaning age worldwide is something like three or four years old. Think about how averages are calculated! :) Keep up the good work. 5 stars.
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My must have music for relaxing

Did you know that stress inhibits let-down of milk? Would be useful if you were about to be eaten by a tiger: really wouldn't want to be sitting around feeding your baby, would you!

These are the sounds to chill you and your baby out, and get the milk flowing. Warning. Do not listen if you don't want to get sleepy.
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Breastfeeding at work: information and rights

does your company have a bf policy? they should! research, recommendations and reports here.

Managing Pregnancy Event Report September 2004
This report of the Managing Pregnancy Events of the Equailty Exchange September 2004.
NCT :: Breastfeeding Awareness :: Supporting Breastfeeding As An Employer
The National Childbirth Trust (UK)
What employers can do to support breastfeeding; what employees can do, plus excellent links and examples of best practice policy.
Breastfeeding and returning to work - example policy from Scotland
Breastfeeding and returning to work POLICY STATEMENT
Breastfeeding and returning to work
In addition to acting within EC and Scottish Law, NHS employers in Scotland
should adopt the following code of practice in support of employees who
are breastfeeding..
Independent Online Edition > Health Medical
Mothers rate McDonald's as the worst place for breastfeeding
New York Times Examines Issues Surrounding Breast-Feeding At Work

Help!

Contribute

How you can help

Breastfed Babies Eating Out...

In 2006 my dear friend Amie Faal and I started a local campaign in our hometown of Bristol, UK, called 'Breastfed Babies Eat Out.' We signed up 25 eating establishments and shops who agreed to display the BBEO sticker welcoming breastfeeding mums. I was thrilled in 2008 when the local NCT (National Childbirth Trust) got behind the campaign with their own volunteers so pound the streets signing up new members. Fab work everyone. The new list is:
Acappella 184c Wells Road, Knowle
Angel Inn Long Ashton
Arnolfini Waterfront
Ask Park Street
At Bristol Waterfront
Better Food St Werburgs
Blue Juice 39 Cotham Hill
Bordeaux Quay Waterfront
Born Gloucester Road
Boston Tea Party Clifton
Boston Tea Party Park Street
Boswells Café Knowle
Bristol Guild Park Street
Café Delight 189 Gloucester Road
Café Gusto Clifton Down
Café Kino Ninetree Hill
Cake 1b Pitville Place, Cotham Hill
Cheltenham Road Library
Circles 65 North St, Bedminster, BS3. tel 9662622
Coffee #1 Gloucester Road
Coffee #1 Clifton
Cuba Ice 220 North St,Southville,BS3 1JD.tel 9639222
Debenhams Broadmead
Deco Lounge Cotham Hill
Easton Leisure Centre Easton
Ferry Station Narrow Quay, BS1 4QA. Tel 3763942
Footprints Centre Knowle west
Fresh and Wild 85 Queens Road, clifton Triangle
Goldbrick House Park Street
Grain House YHA Narrow Quay
Grounded St George
Kebele Social Centre Easton
Knowle Health Park Knowle west
Knowle West Early Years Knowle west
Kuvuka Café Stokes Croft
La Barrique 225 Gloucester Road
La Ruca Gloucester Road
Lakeside Café Portishead
Masala 18 North St, Bedminster BS3 1HW Tel 9636062
Mothercare Eastville
Mothercare Avonmeads
Munch Box Crow Lane, Henbury
Museum Queens Road
Nando's Park Street
Oasis Café Southville centre
Planet Pizza Gloucester Road
Primrose Café clifton
Pronto Café Gloucester Road
Quartier Vert Whiteladies Road
Rocotillos Triangle
Sainsbury's Black Castle, Brislinton
Savana 273 North St, Ashton, BS3 1JN. tel 9660088
Severnshed Waterfront
Southville Deli
Spice Route Gloucester Road
St George Library
St Werburgs City Farm St Werburgs
Tesco Eastville
Thali Place St Marks Road
The Bristolian Picton Street
The Folk House Park Street
The Friary Clifton Down
the Riverside Garden Centre Southville
Tinto Lounge Gloucester Road
Watershed Waterfront
Windmill Hll City Farm Windmill Hill
Zest Gloucester Road
Zuzu's kitchen Stokes Croft

While the orginal 2006 signups were:
AVENUE Cafe, 96 Henleaze Rd

@BRISTOL, Harbourside, 0845 345 1235, www.at-bristol.org.uk

BISTRO LA BARRIQUE, 225 Gloucester Rd, 0117 944 5500

BLUE JUICE, 39 Cotham Hill, 0117 973 4800

BOCACINA, 184c Wells Rd, Lower Knowle, www.bocacina.co.uk

CAFE DELIGHT, 189 Gloucester Rd, 0117 944 1133

CAFE UNLIMITED, 209 Gloucester Rd, www.cafeunlimited.co.uk

CAKE, 1b Pitville Place, Cotham Hill, 0117 973 2007, www.cakecake.co.uk

FRESH & WILD, 85 Queens Rd,Clifton Triangle, 0117 910 5930, www.freshandwild.com

GOLDBRICK HOUSE, 69 Park St, 0117 945 1950, www.goldbrickhouse.co.uk

GRAIN HOUSE Cafe Bar @ YHA, 14 Narrow Quay, 0117 922 1659
HALO, Gloucester Rd

LA BARRIQUE, 225 Gloucester Rd, 0117 944 5500

LA BOHEME, Cotham Hill

NANDO's, 49 Park St, 0117 929 9263, www.nandos.co.uk

PLANET PIZZA, 187 Gloucester Rd, 0117 907 7112, www.planetpizza.co.uk

PRONTO CAFE, GLoucester Rd

QUARTIER VERT, 85 Whiteladies Rd, 0117 973 4482, www.quartiervert.co.uk

RIVERSTATION, The Grove, 0117 914 4434, www.riverstation.co.uk

ROCOTILLOS, 1 Queens Row (Triangle), 0117 929 7207

THE FOLK HOUSE CAFE, 40a Park St, 0117 907 7948

THE PICKLED ONION, 10 Cotham Hill, 0117 923 8840

WATERSHED CAFE BAR, 1 Canons Rd, Harbourside, Bristol, 0117 927 5101, www.watershed.co.uk

Shops and public places

BORN, 64 Gloucester Rd, 0117 924 5080, www.borndirect.com

MOTHERCARE (& Cafe), Eastgate centre, Eastville, 0117 951 8200

THE NATURAL NURSERY, 209 North St, Southville, 0845 890 1665, www.naturalnursery.co.uk

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This is a list of all the funds we need to raise to keep our campaign going. If you'd like to contribute, you can use PayPal (and then you can create a WhattoGive list for your wedding, dog's birthday or Barmitzvah! Hurrah!)

by

Jo_Bradshaw

i am just a young mum who breastfeeds. I got great support when my daughter was born in NZ, and through my site www.mohk.org.uk I'm trying to reverse the... more »

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