When I read about the proposed ban on advertising of Baby Formula today I was literally gobsmacked (it's ok - I punched Dizzy back). I could not believe that this was being seriously considered by anybody but it seems the proposal is being backed by The National Childbirth Trust, Save The Children and Unicef - all of whom think that if you didn't advertise Sma and the like then more women would be breastfeeding.
Banning advertising is something I am generally against. Obviously regulation to ensure adverts don't outright lie is important. Advertisments aimed at children also need to be controlled as children cannot be expected to make a judgement on what they are being told. But any adult should be considered capable of making their own decision about what they do and don't spend their money on. Added to that every company should have the right to advertise their product.
But it seems the above, well respected charities, are annoyed that the ban on advertising of baby formula for those under six months hasn't forced all women to breast feed. Judging by the words of the National Childbirth Trust's spokesman that I just saw on BBC London News, they seem to feel that women who stop breastfeeding before six months are doing so because they are "confused". Their poor simple little brains have been polluted by adverts for weaning formulas, to be used after six months. You see these products have the same branding as the products for those formulas for the under six months and women are just so "confused" by the advertising they are suddenly deciding not to breast feed. You know us women - constantly being bemused by branding.
There are many many reasons women decide not to breastfeed. Some just cannot be with their child 24/7, some find it very painful and some just physically cannot breastfeed. Yes breastfeeding for the first six months is recommended but it's not essential. Mothers who make the decision not to breastfeed do not make this decision because they saw a colourful advert on the TV for baby formula and suddenly thought - "oooh I was going to stick to the recommended six months breastfeeding but that logo was just so reassuring, fuck it - give the kid a bottle". They make it having been given advice from the moment they give birth, and probably long before that as well.
But I was extremely pleased to see the woman from Infant and Dietic Foods Association, who was representing the formula companies was very good. She didn't rant and rail. She didn't belittle women and the judgements they make and she didn't attack the childbirth trust. She calmly stated the obvious and was very polite and friendly. In stark contrast to the National Childbirth Trusts rep. These angry women who want to make any women who cant breastfeed feel damned guilty for it. It's meanness and moral superiority at it's worst. This isn't about advertising - it's about punishing people who don't agree with you.
07 August 2007
Health Fascists Strike Again
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11 comments:
Couldn't agree more Caroline.
There are so many reasons why people need SMA for example.....
Your partner has been stuck to the sofa for 2 months - virtually unable to move, baby feeding every hour or so, occasionaly getting out the cabbage to relieve mastitis and general soreness and you think,
"I know I'll take over, let her get a good night's sleep and relax tomorrow - hell it's a Saturday and I don't have work - now where are my breasts?...Oh wait...."
and that is when you reach for the cow 'n gate.
It's not an either/thing nor is it a male/female thing. It is about having to hand the things you need.
Being more of a new man than some might think, I went along to NCT classes with the mother of my first born, and the woman running the course took great pains to stress that while natural childbirth (as opposed to c-section), breastfeeding etc etc etc are the ideals, it is all good, and no woman should be made to feel awkward or guilty about the choices she makes / has to make regarding child birth and rearing.
Seems pretty sensible to me.
Am against bottle feeding. It would mean me getting up in the middle of the night.
Hi Caroline,
This is the very worst form of social facism around at the moment. It is a long pernicious campaign not only about the 'health aspects' but also about the anti-corporate motives of the organsiations espousing their high minded position to a long winded cultrual attack on the firms concerned. I know this because I work for one of them and I get everything from snide comments or snubs from the left leaning media community to downright hostility of the 'baby-killer' approach.
By an large it is borne out of misplaced views on received wisdom and people with student politics level of arguments. The campaigns date back to the 70's and are perpetuated merely as a tool for keeping 'professional' fundraisers in jobs. I for one am sick of having drinks chucked over me at receptions because I work for one of them - by people who have no concept of multinational or global business.
Apologies for the anonimity - you can understand. I;m a regular blogger with friends online who have no notion, etc
Anon 12:48 wrote...
"I for one am sick of having drinks chucked over me at receptions"
Just what kind of receptions do you attend?
Receptions with lefties, i'm afraid.
I have had people audibly gasp when I mention who it is I work for!
The woman from Infant and Dietic Foods Association did very well not to rant and rail. I'd have ranted and railed alright. In fact, I think I will. Just who the hell do these people think they are, thinking that they have the right to ban advertising on a product just because they don't like people using it ? If we're not careful Baby Formula is going to go the way of smoking; the health lobby are not going to rest until the have eroded our liberties in a way they should have no right to do. My wife used Baby Formula from time-to-time because she had to; we had twins and she was just shattered breast-feeding two children all the time. Anyone who says you must breat-feed twins for the first six months just has no ideas of what having twins is like; utterly wonderful, but absolutely shattering for the mother. Seriously, we need to protect our young mothers from these people. There. I've ranted and railed. Do I feel better ? Not really - still too angry.
That doesn't fit their 'narrative, mate.
Remember - it's not what people want, it's what the do-gooders think is good for them that matters.
Freedom of choice? Pah - that's wasteful - afterall, mothers are too stupid to know what is best for the children in terms of food, education etc! Far better for a bunch of politically motivated people to tell them what to do......
I would have been pretty fucked off with my mum if she'd bottle fed me instead of breast feeding me because of the health benefits. As little babies aren't able to defend themselves its up to the state to do so. Whats wrong with that?
Heres my reasoning if something hurts someone else (especially children) the state should be free to ban or regulate it. eg breast feeding.
If something only hurts yourself (like canabis and most drugs) it should be legal.
Some of the advertising on the formula milk claims that it is "as good as breast milk." This isn't true. A ban would redress the balance, so mothers are better informed.
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