Kristin

22nd March 2012

I saw your documentry about brestfeeding in UK (sent on norwegian tv channel today)and was struck by how different you look at it compared to us in Norway. I have a two and a half year old an brestfeed him 14 months. And I did it everywhere. In restaurants, on the street, cafees, on a plane next to a stranger.
Maybe UK should learn from us about the mental part of brestfeeding. Here it is completely normal to brestfeed everywhere.
But you do off course try to be modest doing it.
Wish UK good luck in getting it a normal thing brestfeeding in public.

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Comments

  • I watched it in Norway as well. I was astounded by the problems these girls were having breastfeeding ,and doing it in public. In Norway we are encouraged to breastfeed from the moment the baby is out, and there is help and advice all the way. Nobody takes notice of women breastfeeding in restaurants or park benches etc. It is really sad how some can react to this as a dirty thing that should be kept private. I fed both my boys for 20 months, most people do it for a year ,more or less. It IS the best thing for your baby as long as you are able to produce...With the right advice and encouragement many more would be...

  • I saw the program in Australia last night. I'm from Scotland but have had my 3 kids here and thankfully have/am managing to feed successfully however not without it's hard times ie cracked nipples and mastitis on a couple of occasions. What struck me about the program apart from the obvious re breastfeeding anywhere was 1) why not have included suggestions for how breastfeeding can be done successfully, any encouragement for mums out there to give it a go wasn't apparent 2)

  • Oops, pressed save too soon! 2) mastitis can be overcome with correct support, there was no mention of this whatsoever, only negatives re symptoms which doesn't encourage mums out there. I'm loving being lucky enough to be able to breastfeed, it doesn't work for everyone; what a fulfilling feeling when your bub turns 6 months, ready for solids, and you know it's survived purely on your breast milk til then. My main thing to suggest Cherry have said to mums out there, "give it a go, it's the best start for your bub, if it doesn't work at least you have tried".

  • Here, here Gail! I am also British from the south of England but live in Sydney, Australia and have had both my boys here and breastfed my first to 8 months and my second to 15 months. I have always felt quite happy to breastfeed anywhere, but it is also a controversial subject here.

    I haven't seen this documentary, so cannot make any comments or criticisms on it. However, I do like Cherry's style of documentary.

    But I do agree that there is far too little information and support for women on breastfeeding, and it's a shame to hear that this wasn't offered by a presenter like Cherry who I would imagine is one of the most followed mothers at this time...

    However, I think women all feel differently about breastfeeding and particularly in public, because no matter whether you personally think you should be able to, there are always people who think you shouldn't and so it's individual people's reaction to that, that changes whether you can comfortably whip a breast out to feed any time, any where...and I'm sure that's at least partially true everywhere, even in Norway ;)

    But yes more awareness and less judgement is much needed.

  • Hi cherry, I've just been glued to your second episode watched for the first time in Australia! I absolutely love your program. I found it so interesting to find different perspectives on great feeding, I have a 2 month old baby and was quite anti breast feeding I thought it was all a bit weird! Anyway I have managed to breast feed and have loved it. I totally agreed with your views and thoughts though, breast has to be right for mummy and bubba and nobody should be in pain or be feeling resentful etc. great programme can't wait for the next.
    Totally loving your style too :-) x

  • cherry (ugh puke) you're a wankbag

  • I live in the UK and I breastfed my daughter everywhere and anywhere! I was anxious at first but soon learned to look at it in a different way, my daughter needed to be fed and so that's what I did, I wasn't breaking the law so anybody who challenged me would be in for a stern lecture from me! I was very fortunate that I have never experienced any negativity from others when out and about breast feeding, I nursed her in the middle of heathrow airport, at Stone Henge and many other places, it makes me so sad the other people's attitudes to breast feeding put women off from doing it and on the other hand how so many women feel guilty when they can't because they are looked down upon. It's such an individual thing and doesn't happen naturally for everyone, I had to work so hard to establish it. We should be supporting new mums to do there best and empower them with the confidence they need to make the best decision for THEIR family!

    Cherry I'm sorry that people feel like they can make stupid comments on your website, it's a lovely site, and you do some great work x

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