What breastfeeding campaigns are there?
By Lisa Lactivist, on March 10th, 2011
I got this email today and with permission have posted it on Lactivist.net. The writer wants to know what campaigns are running to help make breastfeeding the norm instead of formula feeding. I could think of Baby Milk Action to start with but I am hoping that Lactivist readers might know of others and we can start a list on here.
The idea of Lactivist net is to pull everyone together – I know there are a lot of little groups and together we can be a bigger voice.
Lisa
Hi there,
I have a 12 week old baby who I’m breastfeeding exclusively. He is my second child but sadly my first child was almost exclusively formula fed. I had great trouble latching him, and I was entirely ignorant to the world of breastfeeding counsellors and all the help available, and despite trying for 12 weeks I gave up too quickly and I am left with little doubt that if I hadn’t been so darn ignorant to the benefits of breastfeeding (I was young and unprepared when I had my eldest) I would never have given up. It is just such a terrible regret of mine, every time I look into my baby’s eyes as he is suckling from me my heart breaks a little bit more for my eldest. I would give anything to turn back the clock and change how things were. But I can’t. The next best thing I can do is help guide women into avoiding making the same mistake as I did.
I just feel so, so strongly about this. It disgusts me to see mothers choosing formula over breastmilk as a lifestyle option when they haven’t even experienced any issues. But I know why people do it, and it is not so much the individuals I feel disgusted towards as the corrupt corporations who have normalised artificial milk to the extent that otherwise good, loving mothers can CHOOSE it for their baby. Our culture tells us breastfeeding is unusual, that only ‘earth mothers’ breastfeed, that bottle feeding is fine, that ‘extended’ breastfeeding is wrong, that public breastfeeding is taboo. I want to be a part of changing this, and I don’t just mean by wearing a t-shirt. What can I do?
Why is the government making tobacco companies package their products in plain, logo-less packaging with giant health warnings but not formula milk? I am not suggesting formula is as harmful as tobacco… but people choose to smoke (I say as an ex-smoker), babies cannot choose how they are fed. How any impartial, informed person could argue the case for formula milk marketing is beyond me. Why is it not marketed as ‘artificial milk’ instead of formula? Formula is such a normal term… noone bats an eyelid at the sound of it. When I first heard the expression artificial milk it shocked me and I stopped and thought about it. It’s not real milk. It’s fake, and should only be used in extreme circumstances. Maybe more people would stop and think about it if this is what it had to be labelled as. Maybe less people would buy it if they stopped seeing happy, giggling babies drinking their ‘follow-on’ milk on TV adverts. Maybe more people would pass by it on the shelves if each tin was plain white with a plain black small brand name dwarfed by a giant health warning pointing out each and every inadequacy in artificial milk as opposed to breast milk.
If the government can do this with tobacco, can they not do the same with formula? Yes, I get it, it’s about money. Smoking costs the tax payer billions. Well how much is the tax payer forking out for every child ending up in hospital with illnesses they might never have contracted had they received the protection of their mother’s breastmilk. I’m sure the figures could never be known, but no doubt it is significant.
Is this being campaigned for already? If so, can I get involved? Do you have any advice, can you point me in any direction of how I can join this most worthwhile cause?
I have been on both sides of the fence in this issue. I have been in the shoes of the loving, formula feeding mother who feels threatened and attacked by ‘militant’ breastfeeders who can’t mind their own business and are intent on labelling me a bad parent (or so it felt), and I am now in the shoes of the commonly perceived ‘militant’ who just feels so strongly about this cause. I just didn’t ‘get’ it before, I’d been brainwashed by Western societal values and it’s only since breaking free of that and looking at the wider picture that I’ve really been able to see what’s been going on.
I do sympathise with formula feeders who feel threatened by this ‘movement’, because I’ve been there, and I understand that people (or most people) don’t think of it in terms of “I am giving my child substandard, artificial milk that should only have been ever been intended as a last resort supplement for babies who truly cannot receive breast milk, even though I have far better real milk in my body”. People don’t think about it like that. It’s just a choice. Moses basket or crib? Baby bath or bath support? Formula or breastfeeding? A normal choice. And if I or you or anybody tells a woman that she really should be breastfeeding for the sake of her child, she is labelled an extremist and ignored. Why? Because the manufacturers of artificial milk have, over the last century, brainwashed Western society into believing that breastfeeding, and especially breastfeeding beyond 6 months, is extreme, rather than what nature intended. And that’s what needs to be changed, at the root of the problem.
Ok sorry to keep rambling, thanks for listening to my spiel, aside from anything else it’s a relief to be able to get this off my chest because it is just so taboo to say these things to most people; aside from my partner and a couple of online friends I cannot think of a single person in my life I could air these views to without causing terrible offence and losing friendships over it. It is not that I judge formula feeders – I have been one – and having so many friends who FF their babies I know that a woman can both be a great mother and a formula feeder. I feel it’s necessary to add that caveat so that any formula feeding parents who may read this know I’m not an extremist as ‘lactivists’ are so frequently judged to be and I’m not “hating on” anybody.
Many thanks,
H
Sounds like anyone with such a pro-BF campaign should definitely sign you up, H! You are going the right way – don’t feel guilty: feel angry, feel short-changed.
Off the top of my head I can think of the Breastfeeding Manifesto, and the petition to the media begun by Dispelling Breastfeeding Myths.
Also Nestle problem, and other f***ula makers’ dirty tricks – a drip feed of letters & actions thru e.g. Baby Milk Action.
And further letters & complaints to people in the media who get it all wrong, perpetuating myths etc. I’m sure one of the main BF organisations such as LLL GB, BfN or ABM would be delighted to have your support.
Perhaps best of all would be local actions – training as a Peer Supporter, giving talks, doing all you can to show how normal BF is?!
More power to your elbow
Lisa
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Hi there.
A lot of mums end up feeling the same way you do H. Breastfeeding isn’t always straightforward, but it’s most certainly normal, and it can be incredibly frustrating when you ‘wake up’ to the way the media and advertisers manipulate our way society thinks. They’ve done it for so long that we’ve forgotten what ‘normal’ is! Formula feeding is so much a part of our culture now that it can sometimes feel like you’re living in a parallel dimension when you find yourself getting worked up over ‘the big iron count’ and no-one else seems to see a problem with it!
Dispelling Breastfeeding Myths is a large online group where many of the members work together to discuss a wide range of issues related to breastfeeding. Many of us take time out of our lives to counteract common myths when we see them being perpetuated. Lots of our members have individually undertaken to write/ email/ telephone companies etc when they believe the WHO code is being broken. It’s certainly not ‘compulsory’ (!) but it’s sometimes just good to know that other people feel the same! We support each other with breastfeeding related issues and problems, and we share news and information. We have a petition up and running here: http://www.petitiononline.com/DBM/petition.html which you may like to sign. Many of our mums are exactly like you, they’ve used formula in the past, some do combined feed and others are involved in milk sharing/ donating to milk banks. We have quite a few peer supporters in the group, as well as professionals within lactation support. The majority of women are from the UK, but we also have a sizeable number in the States, and worldwide.
We’re not about ‘attacking’ individuals – the group is a friendly (if occasionally passionate!) place – but we aim to focus our energies on tackling the common ‘myths’ which make breastfeeding seems to difficult and unusual. There is, as you now know, a ton of misinformation out there!
If you’d like to join us, there’s a link to the facebook group on the blog http://www.mythnomore.blogspot.com where you’ll be more than welcome!
Congratulations on your new baby and well done for overcoming the difficulties to feed him.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
http://www.beastar.org.uk/
The Be a Star campaign is dedicated to increasing the number of young mums who choose to breastfeed. We hope to do this by showcasing the beauty, confidence and pride that comes with breastfeeding, as well as providing breastfeeding information and support and highlighting the unique health benefits that it brings to both baby and mum.
Like or Dislike:
1 
0
http://www.breastfeedingmanifesto.org.uk/
Unique Coalition of Health Groups, Celebrities and MPs to Urge Government to Address Breastfeeding Inequalities
- Jemima Khan, Laura Bailey and Theo Walcott Pledge Support to the Campaign –
16 May 2007: Celebrities will join MPs and a coalition of more than 30 not-for-profit organisations, including five royal colleges, to call for more support to raise the low levels of breastfeeding in the UK. The Breastfeeding Coalition will launch its new Manifesto at the House of Commons at events that will also be attended by Unicef Ambassador Jemima Khan, the Minister for Public Health, Caroline Flint and England footballer Theo Walcott.
The Breastfeeding Manifesto includes seven specific points for Government action, which would improve the health of UK babies, reduce health inequalities and save the NHS millions of pounds a year.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
http://www.ibfan.org/
The International Baby Food Action Network – consists of public interest groups working around the world to reduce infant and young child morbidity and mortality.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
http://www.babymilkaction.org
Baby Milk Action is a non-profit organisation which aims to save lives and to end the avoidable suffering caused by inappropriate infant feeding
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
http://www.nct.org.uk/about-us/what-we-do/campaigning/formula-advertising
We campaign for a full and effective ban on the advertising of bottle milk formula because advertising is not information. Advertising tries to persuade you to buy something. Information tries to inform you about something. Parents have a right to make decisions on how they feed their baby based on impartial and accurate information from health professionals, not based on advertising and promotional messages from commercial interests.
We believe that parents need reliable information on all the different methods of baby feeding – this information should be clear, accurate and based on research evidence, so that parents have the opportunity to make informed decisions.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Quite right NCT – the media campaign techniques used around f***ula brands really get me; this isn’t a new mascara folks!
I don’t think it should be prescription only or treated, like the new rules for displaying cigarettes, but I do think it should be Information only, and provided by a central source.
Like or Dislike:
1 
0
There’s a distinct lack of and, in my opinion, a great need for visible, on-the-street breastfeeding activism in the UK, which is why I setup Coalition for Breastfeeding Action [COBA] Fb page.
An action is planned for 21 March at the British Library, London, where the infamous Joan Wolf (author ‘Is Breast Best?’) and Mary Fewtrell (research: “6mths exclusive bfdg not necessary”) are speakers at a conference entitled ‘Feeding Children in the New Parenting Culture’. Everyone is invited to join in. See COBA Facebook page for details (Events and Discussions).
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I’m one big walking campaign
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Ps I do sympathise with formula feeders who feel threatened by this ‘movement’, because I’ve been there, and I understand that people (or most people) don’t think of it in terms of “I am giving my child substandard, artificial milk that should only have been ever been intended as a last resort supplement for babies who truly cannot receive breast milk, even though I have far better real milk in my body”. People don’t think about it like that. It’s just a choice.
I do think many as you say don’t think about it like that – but there is also a movement of mums who feel actually the claimed “bfing benefits” are overated and fight to promote formula as just as good – ala Fearless Formula Feeder:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Fearless-Formula-Feeder/134044953278660
QUOTE New Post: Formula feeding and obesity: a big fat lie
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Hi, I haven’t read all the replies fully but I don’t think anyone else has suggested joining your local Maternity Services Liaison Committee, which has to have lay members (kinda like school governors). Google your hospital and Maternity Services Liaison Committee or MSLC. I haven’t attended a meeting yet, but I know people who feel they have been able to make a difference in their own area
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Thanks so much for all your points. (I am the email’s author). I have a bit of spare time this afternoon so I’m going to browse everything you’ve all suggested and look for ways to get involved.
I totally agree with the person who said it’s like being in a parallel dimension to everybody else – that hits the nail on the head really. There’s such a long way to go on this, isn’t there. I hope to see some real changes in my lifetime!
I wish I hadn’t opened that ‘Fearless Formula Feeder’ page… it’s left me shaking in anger. It’s one thing feeling defensive… but promoting it? Ugh… thank God only 290 people like it. 290 painfully ignorant people. Poor babies…
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
For what its worth, as the person who runs Fearless Formula Feeder, I think you guys might want to work on your reading comprehension. The site is primarily to offer support to women who cannot/choose not to breastfeed, but we are unilaterally pro-breastfeeding, and most of the women who frequent the site wanted desperately to nurse their children and would proudly campaign on behalf of their breastfeeding sisters to gain more pumping rights/lactation consultant benefits/nursing in public protections, etc. We do discuss studies sometimes which are based in poor science – not all breastfeeding science is bad, but it is not all good, either. More of a skepitcal approach than claiming formula is “just as good”. I don’t believe that I have ever “promoted” formula feeding, and it’s depressing that you see it that way; unfortunately, using this sort of militant approach/feeling “sorry” for the unwashed masses, as it were, just serves to promote the “mommy wars” rather than working on the real problems that hinder breastfeeding. Lactivism should be about helping the women who want to breastfeed do so successfully, rather than pushing those who don’t want to breastfeed into doing it, or chastising those who wanted to, and couldn’t.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Dear H,
I appreciate your support for breastfeeding and your efforts to remain balanced about the issue. I would however, encourage you to stop torturing yourself about formula feeding your first child. Breastfeeding has its benefits. I’m sorry new mothers don’t always get the support they need to do so.
There are, however, lots of healthy, intelligent people around the world who were bottle fed. Your firstborn might well be one of them. If he does have problems, any number of factors could have caused them. Please don’t assume its your fault, because you didn’t breastfeed him.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Dear H.,
Can we be friends!?
I feel the same way in everything you mentioned in your post. I feel there is certainly not enough being done to inform new/expecting mothers of the benefits of breastfeeding and have given thought to developing some sort of organization for this purpose. It IS too much of a normal choice for parents to make without knowing all of the information…it seems most parents who CHOOSE to formula feed over breastfeeding are making an uninformed decision and I would love to help prevent this. I know there are many breastfeeding organizations out there, but there aren’t enough that are visually present. If formula companies can advertise their products I feel like breasfeeding/breastmilk should have equal amounts of advertising in the public as well – which there isn’t. There certainly is in hospitals and healthcare facilities, but this does not equal the amount of publicity that formula companies receive by placing ads in magazines, etc. I believe either advertising bans should be placed on the products (like cigarettes as you mentioned) or at least equal advertising should be done for breast milk and breastfeeding. How is it fair to mothers to see only formula ads in their favourite parenting magazine? The problem is, who would pay for this breast milk marketing?!?!
Like or Dislike:
0 
0