Should They Advertise BFing on TV?

[Lightworker]

Caveat - NOT A FF vs BF THREAD - DON'T TURN IT INTO ONE PLEASE
We all know the govt. working hard to promote BFing and was wondering if you thought that it should be advertised on TV like they do those 5-a-day ads etc. I personally think it would be great because media contributes alot to people's perception of things. It could also dispel any myths and allow moms to feel more comfy NIP, BFing older children etc. What are your thoughts? Would you like/hate seeing BFing ads?

 

[Blah11]

they already do

 

[Lightworker]

they already do

Lol how did I miss that - what does the advert look like

 

[Blah11]

Might just be in Scotland. It's just a young mum talking about why she chose to BF I think theres been a few though.

 

[Blah11]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJ_cHpunck0

here's another which i think is a lovely one Shows NIP too.

 

[summer rain]

They only advertise it in Scotland; not anywhere else. I think they should advertise BF BUT not just blandly saying 'breast is best' and reeling off a list of health benefits because that is going to mean little to most mums; especially if they have FF relatives telling them that BF offers no advantanges over FF and is actually worse. Instead they should focus on the ease and convenience of BF, financial savings etc and also the closeness to LO (I'm not trying to say FF babies are not close to their mums)

 

[Lightworker]

Blah - Wow good for Scotland! I hadn't seen any ads here.
Summerain- yeah I agree that they should highlight the convenience and ease of it but I also think the health benefits should be made clear. I know some moms that FF their toddlers purely cause of the C&G ad and the way it presents its nutrients. It would help to have a similar BFing one to show the nutrients as well as emphasize the benefits into toddlerhood.

 

[summer rain]

I do think they should point out the health benefits but these are already well publicised by other advertising/promotion campaigns. One thing they should definitely advertise is how EBF IS enough for the first six months, so many health professionals believe top up of formula is always necessary or early weaning because breastmilk somehow isn't enough and this sabotages successful BF.

 

[Midnight_Fairy]

Yes. I love how in Sims medieval they actually breastfeed. I dont know why they dont do this is the other sims.

 

[polo_princess]

Tbh im indifferent on it, maybe because i FF ... dont know its not something id bex excited about, nor get the hump with iykwim.

 

[pinklizzy]

I've never seen anything like that here, on a majorly selfish level I'm glad as it would really upset me to know I'm a crap mum as I'm not BF'ing but I do think there should be an increased 'visibility' of BF to the wider public, not just pregnant women/mums.

 

[Lightworker]

Pinklizzy- yeah there is the danger of FF moms feeling abit inferior but if it is done in a tactful way I think it would be awesome. Some moms are being made to feel like real sh*t because of nursing in public etc and we need to change the way society views BFing. Let it be restored to the natural thing it is as opposed to it being seen as indecent etc IYKWIM.

 

[Lightworker]

Pinklizzy- yeah there is the danger of FF moms feeling abit inferior but if it is done in a tactful way I think it would be awesome. Some moms are being treated like real sh*t because of nursing in public etc and we need to change the way society views BFing. Let it be restored to the natural thing it is as opposed to it being seen as indecent etc IYKWIM.

 

[indy and lara]

I was going to say that they do here but Blah bet me too it!

 

[summer rain]

I don't think the intention is to make FF parents feel guilty or bad, but certain formula companies are using the loopholes of mum and baby clubs/websites and follow on milk advertising to make mums feel like BF (or even a different brand of formula) is inadequate and failing their baby. I just came across this report on the very subject of claims by formula companies as well as very interesting information and statistics regarding the compositions of the different milks and their differences (its the PDF on infant milks)

https://www.cwt.org.uk/publications.html

 

[amie-leigh]

they do in scotland and i dont know if the rest of the uk have seen the aptimal (sp?) follow on milk advert i thought that was a kind of BFing ad since it says when you decide to move on from BF, maybe just me who thought that though

 

[Blah11]

they do in scotland and i dont know if the rest of the uk have seen the aptimal (sp?) follow on milk advert i thought that was a kind of BFing ad since it says when you decide to move on from BF, maybe just me who thought that though

Its subliminal messaging sort of thing. Theres no reason to move on from breastfeeding at all, especially when it's 6m+ and theyre getting solids too. Formula adverts are out there to sell formula, whether they mention BF or not. It's clearly aimed to say 'this aptimal is pretty much the same as BM so just switch when yoiur LO hits 6 months' such rubbish.

 

[Lightworker]

Amie-Leigh the Aptamil ad does mention BM but it makes it sound like FF is the next stage you should be going to, which is not the case. I have friends who have asked me if after 6 months they need to start topping up with formula and I think some of the confusion comes from ads like that.

 

[summer rain]

I've come across many mums and even health professionals who believe that BF beyond 6 months is actually detrimental to health and may cause malnutrition even and I do believe advertising of follow on and toddler milks is a huge part of it. It also is a sly way to sell first stage milks by the back door; the packaging of first stage and follow on milks by each company is often virtually identical, studies including the UK governments own infant feeding study have shown babies being given follow on milk even as early as 4 weeks due to confusion caused by this. Also most formula companies have mother and baby clubs where they offer 'advice' on BF but also offer advice on infant milks; and they have their own helplines. In the US some BF mums called some of these helplines and asked about things such as cluster feeding; of course after a minute or so the helpline advisor helpfully offered suggestions of using their particular formula.

 

[Lightworker]

Lol they are soooo sneaky! Summerain - I'm using my mobile right now so can't open the PDF you posted but will do so tomorrow, cant wait to see it though