When should you stop breast-feeding? - Dr Miriam Stoppard column

[BintUmmi]

Not sure if it's already been posted but did anyone else see this ridiculous article?

https://www.mirror.co.uk/lifestyle/health/when-should-you-stop-breast-feeding-1259599

 

[Celesse]

Yeah I've seen it. The woman is a Muppet.

 

[Bid]

Feckin idiot. How that woman got Dr in front of her name baffles me.

 

[veganmama]

eek. that article is kind of insulting

 

[kat2504]

Nobody told her that a baby's first teeth are called MILK teeth apparently. And that starting solids at six months (to get the iron that she reckons BM lacks) does not mean that you actually stop breastfeeding. You can do both! And since when was using a sling "extreme"? Tell that to all those African and Asian women who have been doing it as a matter of course for all these years because they don't all have fancy spendy Farkaboo travel systems.

 

[flashy09]

In the 3rd world, it's an economic necessity to stop at 4 months?? WTF, breast milk is full of nutrients and FREE! It's a economic necessity to keep breastfeeding babies in poor countries, not stop!

 

[yumosh]

I don't think I'm qualified to argue with the IofHealth but she clearly misses the point. Like someone here has said you can do both! I've often thought teeth were a sign to gently suspend too as nature obviously does this for a reason. But that all depends on the mum! I'm going to try my best to carry even when she has teeth but others may not. Your choice. Not everything in nature is good!
My baby is teething now at 4 months hopefully I'll carry on feeding to a year (with solids too).

 

[TheNewMrs]

My cousins wee fella was born with a tooth? Should I call her and tell her to put her 2wk old son on steak&potatoes?

 

[CanadaMom]

She's a doctor??? how did that happen? As thenewmrs pointed out, what about babies born with teeth? clearly they should be on solids according to her logic. wow.

 

[Lollycake]

Similarly - what if baby doesn't get a tooth til 12months?! Teeth aren't an indicator of readiness for solids, and most don't get teeth at 4 months, which she suggests is the right time for solids :S
That article is BS!

 

[LegoHouse]

Does anyone know what she's a doctor of? What a stupid article. No facts what so ever just based on her opinion.

 

[Lownthwaite]

Wow!

There’s no keener fan of *breast-feeding than me. Clearly?!

I'm actually quite insulted by that article.

For a start she hasn't correctly quoted the WHO recommendation in regards to BF. Her comment about BF for 6 months is very wishy washy and implies, to me at least, that the WHO state you should BF only for 6 months.

I'm with Flashy09 too - how can STOPPING BF help the economic situation of a third world country?!?!

breast milk often doesn’t deliver the iron needed for a six-month baby. This is only, possibly, an issue if baby isn't on solids consisting of a varied diet! Although of course she fails to mention that!

Of course lots of people across the country felt "the line was crossed" when they saw the Time Magazine article with the BF, chair standing 4 year old - I thought it was wrong myself - but not the fact she was BF a 4 year old but the fact the picture had been purposley staged to look as uncomfortable and unatural as possible - therefore creating ultimate shock and controversy!!

BF, co-sleeping and babywearing to me are just ways of parenting..........not EXTREME parenting?!?!

I would love to ask this woman why she deems baby lead weaning (from the breast not BLW) / self / natural weaning from the breast as irresponsible!??! How can allowing her to have something that is not only nutritionally and psychologically beneficial to her but also of great comfort be irresponsible?!?!

Allowing my daughter to wean herself from the breast is NOT the same as allowing her to choose to not go to nursery or to not get up in the morning!

I do not wish to keep my daughter dependant on me - she is a very independant and outgoing, sociable little girl. She is no longer a baby - she is 2 years old and I treat her as such.

BF aids the jaw and airways in their normal development and breastmilk also contains enzymes which help prevent plaque forming on teeth - the human body knows what it is doing - these enzymes are apparent as clearly the appearance of teeth isn't a reason to stop BF!

I'd love to know what this woman is actually a doctor of as it's clearly nothing to do with breastfeeding!

 

[Piggywinkle]

The woman is an idiot. You may also like to read about 'Doctor' Stoppard's links with Nestlé.

Yes, that's right. A company that makes formula.

https://boycottnestle.blogspot.co.uk/2008/02/nestle-panic-miriam-stoppard.html?m=1

 

[Cinnamon Girl]

This article pissed me off
Coming from a third work country her comments about stopping bfing for economical purposes is insane

Plus the fact that she is a dr she thinks she can make up facts incorrectly and get away with it

Scary is that some poor sod will read this article and believe it cos she is a dr (of nonsensein my country u can get a doctorate being a sixth grade educated politician for attending a university cocktail)

Who thing made me pissed

 

[ImmysMom]

Grrrr...

What an absolute load of old tosh!!

A doctor? Really? She can't even read the WHO recommendations correctly.

What upsets me most about this article is the fact that people will read this and believe that it has been well researched and is factual (which it's clearly not). There is so little education about breastfeeding for pregnant woman and new mothers (most of what I have learnt is off my own back), that expectant parents may base their feeding decisions on this supposed 'doctor's' musings.

I think that it's irresponsible of the Mirror to publish such an article (but why let truth get in the way of a good story?).

 

[Kirei]

FFS! My Mum gets the Mirror and just rang me to tell me how my baby should be transitioning off the breast! Thanks Mirror >.<

 

[readytotry]

It seems to me that here in the UK that there are very strict "socially acceptable" rules about how to feed a baby. That is, you MUST breastfeed until about 4-6months, and then you MUST transition to bottle. It sucks.

That article is awful for so many reasons. Not least because most of the paragraphs are no longer that a single sentence - written on the back of a cocktail napkin at some Nestle-sponsored soiree perhaps?

 

[summer rain]

I'm really shocked because Miriam Stoppard used to be very pro extended BF and AP! I had some of her baby books when I was little and they recommended at least feeding lying down, if not co-sleeping and she recommended using a sling or carrier, in fact she was way ahead of her time on advising these things when no-one else in the mainstream was. Even some articles of hers a couple of years ago in the Mirror were singing the praises of celebs BFing for a year or more, maybe she has lost the plot in her old age? Very very odd! Xx

 

[Lettuce]

It seems to me that here in the UK that there are very strict "socially acceptable" rules about how to feed a baby. That is, you MUST breastfeed until about 4-6months, and then you MUST transition to bottle. It sucks.

That article is awful for so many reasons. Not least because most of the paragraphs are no longer that a single sentence - written on the back of a cocktail napkin at some Nestle-sponsored soiree perhaps?

I read it laughing as it was so ridiculous. But you know what? That's what A LOT of people honestly believe, that babies with teeth shouldn't be bf, that it's useless after 4/6 month etc.
It is a dangerous and stupid article and that woman is laughing all the way to the bank.
I'm so glad I had this forum so I don't feel alone in my "extreme parenting" choices.

 

[KerryGold]

I knew she was a nurse but thought her Dr title must have been a PhD. Apparently not. She has a medical degree.

And thus I say... What about your Hippocratic oath? Line one is "First of all, do no harm..."

This article clearly contravenes it. And it's pretty scary actually!

xXx