[twinzplus3]

I had recently read this article about a controverial advertising campaign that promotes breastfeeding. It basically portrays pregnant women in dangerous situations and likens it to not breastfeeding. In light of Heather Long's recent blog, and the series of comments it's sparked, I thought I'd open it up in the forums.
I hope I'm not being too bold in saying that I think this is what Heather meant when she wrote her blog. (She is of course welcome to correct me if I'm off base!)
What do you think of an ad campaign like this? Does it offend you?

[MJ7]

I think it is good to get the message out of the benifits of breastfeeding, but I think it needs to stop there. I think any good parent wants the best for their child. The best for our children was not breast feeding though because of circumstances. I think ads will need to be careful not to imply it is harmful not to breastfeed. I was not a breast fed child and believe I turned out fine. I was not going to go through a bunch of work to breast feed my boys (who are adopted) because I don't think I could have produced enough (esspecially my littlest one who never felt full). As far as warning lables on forumula, pulleeze... I really think there are women out there that SHOULDN'T be breastfeeding. I think if we are going to put warning lables, we ought to also put out education on what things the mother shouldn't consume while breastfeeding her infant.

--added: by "consume", I mean use drugs or should seek advice of a physician first.---

I was also shocked that 60% of moms go back to work when their babies are only 6 mo. old . That's another a whole other discussion though...

[shanaynay32]

I am not sure what blog you are talking about but, I did not go back to work on either of the two breast fed children in my home. My milk literally stopped producing between 4-6 months on both of my babies. VERY hard emotionally on me. I got flack for it, everyone was touching my breasts. (not literally) but just trying to help em get started again. It just wasnt producing. It made me feel more guilt the harder they all tried anyways. I am pro breastfeeding and would have gone to about a year, personally.

I am pro public feeding too. Once I was feeding in a 120degree weather and didnt want to throw a blanket over in the heat. I was in a store and a woman approached me to say what a horrible, gross and very appalling person I was. Well I told her off.

Second time was in Church with a blankie covering. I was sitting in the back, apparently people pay attention to others more than the sermon. I was asked to take it to the nursery by several people at the end of Church.

AGHHHHh. My babies food source leave me alone people!

[twinzplus3]

http://baby.families.com/blog/dont-b...ast-milk-bully Here is the blog I was referring to.
I have to say, with regards to public breastfeeding, I have only felt compelled to leave the service once. One of my children seemed to have a noise radar and the quieter it got, the louder she was.
We were during communion and she was swallowing VERY audibly. Not so bad, but then she was done. So she started belching even more audibly which earned the looks of everyone in front of us. . .some not being sure if my husband was very rude or if it was the baby. Finally, as if that was not enough, she finished it off by filling her diaper--of course super audibly. So much so that even the pastor from in front looked up and gave us a strange sort of look.
I eventually had to leave, not because people were offended but because I couldn't stop laughing.

[pattiewrites]

I think breastfeeding activism is very important. Declining breastfeeding rates in the past few generations have been a direct result of formula marketing. While formula is not going to kill anyone, it isn't equivalent to breastmilk. It just isn't as good for the baby or the mother. Formula companies actively market to pregnant women and new mothers in the hospital with their gift bags, samples, coupons, etc. I have found most nurses to be completely ignorant on the subject. I've known a LOT more about it than the average nurse present at any of my births. My youngest was given formula behind my back, since the nurse was either too busy or lazy to see the note on her crib saying NO FORMULA! That is sabotage, plain and simple. Breastfeeding advocates and health organizations are trying to turn this around and encourage more new mothers to breastfeed.

Now, if a mom can't or chooses not to, that's her business, in my opinion. If she is comfortable with her decision, then the literature showing the benefits of breastfeeding shouldn't bother her. I don't think we should pretend that formula and breastmilk are equivalent in terms of nutrition just to spare feelings though. The point isn't to make mothers feel guilty, but to educate pregnant women and increase the breastfeeding rates in this country. I think education and support is the key to helping moms be successful with breastfeeding. There are many women who have no support system and don't have any breastfeeding family members or friends. These are the women that the breastfeeding activists are trying to reach and educate.

[bellerd]

I just watched the video on MSNBC.com, and it's downright ridiculous! Breastfeeding education is essential and important, but I think the advertising company that made those PSA's should be kicked off the project! The images are so ridiculous and distracting, the message is lost. Certainly (modest) images of sweet little babies nuzzled at their mommy's chest would have been more poignant. I'm sure the point wasn't to make anyone feel guilty, just to educate. The advertising approach was just unsuitable.
Deanne

[twinzplus3]

[quote=MJ7]I think it is good to get the message out of the benifits of breastfeeding, but I think it needs to stop there. I think any good parent wants the best for their child. The best for our children was not breast feeding though because of circumstances. I think ads will need to be careful not to imply it is harmful not to breastfeed. I was not a breast fed child and believe I turned out fine. I was not going to go through a bunch of work to breast feed my boys (who are adopted) because I don't think I could have produced enough (esspecially my littlest one who never felt full). As far as warning lables on forumula, pulleeze... I really think there are women out there that SHOULDN'T be breastfeeding. I think if we are going to put warning lables, we ought to also put out education on what things the mother shouldn't consume while breastfeeding her infant.
Actually, statistically speaking it IS harmful not to breastfeed. There is a mountain of evidence that shows not only breastmilk to be superior, but formula to be a risk. While I agree with the poster that said a cute picture of a nuzzling baby would've been more appropriate, I think breastfeeding education has to go beyond just letting people know that it's better. I think people need to know that formula is not an equivalent substitute for breastmilk. It will suffice, but using formula increases your infant's risk for numerous diseases and illnesses. (sorry I don't have links right now).
Now, do I think the ad is appropriate--not really. I suspect it would have the opposite effect and a nuzzly baby probably would've been much better. There are excellent reasons for using formula. . .and even still it's none of my business what you choose to do and honestly, as pro-breastfeeding as I am, I don't judge anyone else who chooses differently than I.
But I am in favor of advertising that targets pregnant women, especially first time moms who are making this decision. As far as warning labels I'm not quite sure what they mean. . .formula cans already come with a little blurb about how breastmilk is best. I wasn't getting if they wanted the labels bigger or just put in different terms like "This product can be hazardous to your health." That I am not in favor of either because, like I said there are excellent reasons to use formula.

[MJ7]

I wrote a good post but it's not here...grrr. must not of hit send...

Anyway, basically what I stated is that I don't believe formula is hazardous to a baby's health but do think breast milk is supreme in a clean and sober mom. My son's bmom thought she was giving her son the best, only she was high on meth breast feeding him. I think it's important the awarness of can be passed through breast milk needs to be there. It WAS better for my son to be fed forumula. I'm sure I would have done better by my son's health to produce for him, but didn't want to manipulate my body that way. Plus I've heard it doesn't produce a sufficient supply sometimes if you haven't given birth. So, if there are going to be promotion ads on breastfeeding, perhaps something should be stated to consult with your physisian first? If they are going to put warning lables on formula, they ought to put why it is not good for your baby. I have heard from both sides of this issue--both extreme and have come to believe each one ought to do their best for their baby. For us, it was forumla.

[twinzplus3]

I'm so sorry for your son. I am so glad that he is in a good home now. Not saying that it wasn't passed through the breastmilk but couldn't the drugs also been passed through the pregnancy? Just curious. And I don't blame you for not nursing adoptees? I would not have either if I hadn't been pregnant. People I know who've been successful at nursing an adoptee have all been pregnant or nursed before. It is very hard work when you HAVE been pregnant. It was probably much better for you to focus on meeting his unique needs than worry about breastfeeding on top of that.
And of course your right. . .like I said, there are some excellent reasons to formula feed--being strung out on drugs would be one of them.
I just mean that I think if women saw it as risky to formula feed as opposed to breastfeed they may rethink their decision. And statistically it is. I was in the nursery breastfeeding my twins and there was another mom there. She had lost her first baby to SIDS. One of the nurses brought her her baby and a bottle and then told the mom, "You know you decrease your chances of this baby dying from SIDS if you would consider breastfeeding." The mom said she had no idea that this was true and joined me to learn how to breastfeed! I think it was gutsy of the nurse, but I think it was great for the mom and I don't think enough people know.
As far as government ads, I do think the government, hospitals etc. have the right to push it. If every mom who could breastfeed did so, they estimate that hospitals, insurance companies, and the like would save billions of dollars in treatment of young children. If it was my business--I would sure push it.

[pattiewrites]

I completely agree with the last post. I love that the nurse took the time to educate that mother. Unfortunately, many nurses don't know the benefits of breastfeeding. They don't take a class on it. I think they should have to take some training if they will be working with newborn babies. Then they could be in a better position to educate and support new mothers. I've even heard that some hospitals use a regular RN with no additional training and call her a lactation consultant! Whether due to staff shortages, lack of funding, or whatever reason, they don't have a true, trained LC. When I had my third baby, the hospital had no LC. She was born in PA and the first 2 in FL, where I had an excellent lactation consultant to offer help and support. Luckily, this was my third baby and I didn't need any help. I felt bad for first time moms at that hospital, since the nurses were pro formula.

Education and breastfeeding classes are very important. Mothers can learn what to do and not do to make breastfeeding a success. This would include which drugs (legal and illegal) that should not be taken when nursing a baby. They need more than a little blurb on the formula can to help them.

I also agree with twinzplus3 that in some cases, formula is a risk. I've seen several recalls in the last few years. That seems dangerous to me. Also, before I had my first baby, a friend of mine had a baby on formula. She gave the baby a bottle from a brand new can and the baby got salmonella from it. She was hospitalized and it was very bad. That really stuck with me and is one reason none of mine were given it. There are good reasons for some babies to be given formula, like in MJ's case. But the vast majority can be breastfed. That's the message they need to get out. Not to hurt feelings, but to educate and improve the breastfeeding statistics and success rate for new mothers.