Parenting Forums

Posted: 23 May 2007 at 1:51pm | IP Logged

hi madz,your deff not over reacting...i would maybe bring into it that people should be properly educated on breastfeeding,ie bringing it into the cirriculum,children learn about breasts in sex education yet they dont learn about why women actually have breasts,i think a lot of poeple are totally uneducated and just see boobs as being sexual!! i totally agree about asking him on his views of breastfeeding,wheather he was breast fed etc...thatl get him thinking!!

goodluck hun pls keep us updated on what you decide to put!! xxx

Posted: 23 May 2007 at 1:56pm | IP Logged

Put a Madmums flyer in it  that will get him 

Posted: 23 May 2007 at 1:59pm | IP Logged

So far: (only very rough draft and not at all finished but would welcome feedback so far)

Dr Mr Djanogly,

Thank you for your letter, dated 21^st May, replying to my email regarding the Breastfeeding Manifesto.

I have to say I was astounded and somewhat surprised by your response. However I have since learnt the Conservatives used the same argument when Scotland introduced a similar law in 2004.

I personally breastfed my son for 11 months giving him the best start in life I could. I don’t see why as a breastfeeding mother I should be asked to leave my table in a restaurant and go and sit in a room on my own with my baby for half an hour (or more) whilst a bottle feeding mother would be able to stay with her party and feed her baby at the table. Breastfeeding mothers are almost always discrete and often it is difficult to actually tell the baby is being fed.

I know of many women who have been asked to leave the table and take their child to the toilets to continue the feed. I find it disgraceful that it is considered acceptable that babies are expected to be fed in such unhygienic conditions. I wonder if you would be happy to eat your meal in the toilets of a restaurant and if not why you should expect a baby to do the same. Unfortunately the majority of businesses will expect a breastfeeding mother to use the toilets to feed and even if specific areas are put aside, it is normally in the same area where nappy changing is done and is just as unhygienic, as well as cramped and lonely! As Labour MSP for Coatbridge and Chryston Elaine Smith told BBC's Good Morning Scotland programme: “Voluntary codes have been tried for many, many years and sometimes you find when voluntary codes are in place, the mystery breastfeeders go out and they still experience problems.”

The fact is 9 out of 10 women who stop breastfeeding before 6 weeks regret doing so and often do so only because they feel unsupported. If this manifesto became law it would convay the message that breastfeeding is a positive choice to be supported by society rather than discouraged. What better way to support mothers who are trying to do their best by their children than by making a law supporting them.

Also at a time when the NHS is losing so much money (especially in Huntingdon!) wouldn’t it be the perfect time to be supporting those who are reducing spending? Just look at the facts shown in the manifesto. If  all babies were breastfed for at least 3 months, the reduction in the incidence of gastroenteritis alone would save the NHS in England and Wales over £35 million each year! Also formula fed babies are twice as likely to be hospitalised in their first 7 years due to chest problems compared to babies breastfed for at least 3 months.  

Posted: 23 May 2007 at 2:23pm | IP Logged

it is brilliant yes v well done!! kee usupdted,deff put a madmums flyer in that will be good!!

Posted: 23 May 2007 at 2:26pm | IP Logged

Hi Madz,

Just read the letter to and it is fab!

From a personal perspective, we live in the middle East where dress is ultra conseverative. The facilities are fantastic for breast feeding. Every mall and every big shop ie Markies, BHS, Debenhams have there own breast feeding room. Not a toilet but a comfortable room that has arm chairs magazines and toys for siblings there is also a cleaner who is employed to assist. In restaurants I have seen many women discretly feeding.

When I was breast feeding, I was surprised at my own father. if there was anyone who would be embarassed it would have been him. He told me what a wonderful thing it was ( I can assure you he was not talking about my boob!) He was amazed at the eye contact the love and the bonding that took place. It really surprised me and can only make me think that this MP has not witnessed this.

No other words of wisdom other than. Keep up the good work and good on you for fighting the breast feeders corner.

Posted: 23 May 2007 at 2:41pm | IP Logged

thats lovely to hear,i cant wait to hear your mps reply madz..

xxx