The deputy editor of Mother and Baby magazine, Kathryn Blundell, has caused controversy in mum circles by saying that 'giving your baby formula milk is nothing to be ashamed of.'
Her provocative phrasing will not endear her to the 'Mum Mafia', as she dubs them. She writes that she 'couldn't be fagged to breastfeed', found the process 'creepy, that 'even the convenience and supposed health benefits of breastmilk couldn't induce me to stick a nipple in a bawling baby's mouth' and preferred to see her breasts – or yeuch! 'fun bags' – as part of her sexuality.
But should she be condemned for stating what many mums may secretly think? 52% of mums still breastfeed after six weeks. True, the reasons may be more about exhaustion, stress, pain, and influence of family and friends than the less palatable not being bothered. But she's right – formula milk is not toxic. 'No, it's not A-grade, but neither is it powdered scum that will turn my baby into an anaemic ball of flab with a life expectancy of three. Nor is the fact that my baby suckles on silicone rather than skin going to give him a mental illness or mean we don't bond. That's just ridiculous.'
While her flippancy won't make her many fans, hers is just another voice in a chorus of approval and disapproval that new mums have to learn to negotiate. Surely, the important thing is for mums to do what works best for them and their babies?
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good on her for speaking out - i agree with every word she says, i feel everyone has a right to choose how to feed there babies and if bottle feeding was supportedand parents were given advise on how to make up bottles and steralise correctly etc by health professionals maybe there wouldn't be as many babies admitted to hospital with tummy upsets
July 09 2011 at 2:36 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyEveryone has a choice in this country about how they feed their children and so therefore why are we all treated like a bunch of fools and have breast feeding shoved down our throats from the minute we find out we are pregnant, good on this lady for standing up for what she believes in and for what she did, we all have a right to make an educated decision about what is best for our children and ourselves and that decision is our business and no one has the right to critise as everyone has their own personal reasons.
May 23 2011 at 8:23 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyEveryone has a choice in this country about how they feed their children and so therefore why are we all treated like a bunch of fools and have breast feeding shoved down our throats from the minute we find out we are pregnant, good on this lady for standing up for what she believes in and for what she did, we all have a right to make an educated decision about what is best for our children and ourselves and that decision is our business and no one has the right to critise as everyone has their own personal reasons.
May 23 2011 at 8:23 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyEveryone has a choice in this country about how they feed their children and so therefore why are we all treated like a bunch of fools and have breast feeding shoved down our throats from the minute we find out we are pregnant, good on this lady for standing up for what she believes in and for what she did, we all have a right to make an educated decision about what is best for our children and ourselves and that decision is our business and no one has the right to critise as everyone has their own personal reasons.
May 23 2011 at 8:23 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyWe get the message X3 patchy!
May 23 2011 at 7:53 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyWe get the message X3 patchy!
May 23 2011 at 7:53 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyWe get the message X3 patchy!
May 23 2011 at 7:53 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Replyi bottle fed all my children,they grew up to be very slim very fit very healthy.bottle feeding lets your hubby be involved and takes alot of pressure off of you,oh and not forgetting theres no pain in your breasts either with the bottles and your nipples dont get sore.I believe each to their own,if you like breast feeding fine, if its bottle thats great too.My sister who at that time was a high flying lawyer had 7 children breast fed all hers,they are no healthier than mine infact i do recall them always having tonsillitis etc,mine didnt.and she was exhausted having to do it all herself,where as my hubby helped me feed our children and in turn he bonded more with them from being tiny.
May 23 2011 at 3:18 AM Report abuse Permalink +2 rate up rate down Replyi bottle fed all my children,they grew up to be very slim very fit very healthy.bottle feeding lets your hubby be involved and takes alot of pressure off of you,oh and not forgetting theres no pain in your breasts either with the bottles and your nipples dont get sore.I believe each to their own,if you like breast feeding fine, if its bottle thats great too.My sister who at that time was a high flying lawyer had 7 children breast fed all hers,they are no healthier than mine infact i do recall them always having tonsillitis etc,mine didnt.and she was exhausted having to do it all herself,where as my hubby helped me feed our children and in turn he bonded more with them from being tiny.
May 23 2011 at 3:18 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Replyi bottle fed all my children,they grew up to be very slim very fit very healthy.bottle feeding lets your hubby be involved and takes alot of pressure off of you,oh and not forgetting theres no pain in your breasts either with the bottles and your nipples dont get sore.I believe each to their own,if you like breast feeding fine, if its bottle thats great too.My sister who at that time was a high flying lawyer had 7 children breast fed all hers,they are no healthier than mine infact i do recall them always having tonsillitis etc,mine didnt.and she was exhausted having to do it all herself,where as my hubby helped me feed our children and in turn he bonded more with them from being tiny.
May 23 2011 at 3:18 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
