DJ bashes NIP: WWYD?

[Missy13]

Disclaimer: Okay, so I am so angry right now that I hope this post even makes sense! Oh, and I have posted this on other boards as well (in case I have to say that). Also, I know this is a strange post for my first post, but I really needed to post this here.

I was listening to a local alternative radio station (www.1019theend) this afternoon and some guy called in to complain about a woman who was driving and pumping at the same time. This led to a discussion on breastfeeding and both DJs began to just rant on how disgusting NIP is and how women need to cover up and blah, blah, blah. They justified this by saying that they totally support breastfeeding (yeah, right) but they just think it should never be done in public and on and on. They used words like "gross" and "sexual".

I was livid and luckily was just pulling into my driveway. I ran inside the house and called the station (totally out of character for me). I actually got on the radio and made a ton of good points about the benefits of breastfeeding and how they were doing a huge disservice to mothers by saying that women should cover up, stay home, ect. I think I managed to get the point across and sound slightly articulate even though I was mad as hell. Then, of course, when they played my bit on the radio they added in bits like saying that I'm a femanazi and was probably a stripper. The male DJ did agree on every point I made in support of BF but the female DJ kept saying things like "that's not necessarily true". She even acted like she was ashamed that she BF her babies for a couple of months. After I was off the phone, I guess they were flooded by calls both for and against NIP. After they played a few more (some really nasty anti-NIP women) they said enough, and that they didn't want to talk about it anymore.

I sent this e-mail to the station (Its sounds a lot nicer than I am feeling, but this is how I operate when I'm trying to prove a point):

Hi Parker and Wendi,

Just one more thing from the FemiNazi (btw, I prefer Lactivist!). Attached you will find the new international breastfeeding symbol. Because you have surely alienated at least one women after your comments on Nursing in Public (NIP) today, I think you will find this symbol handy. You can designate areas of your office, home, wherever for NIP. That way women who need to nurse their babies in your presence will have a place to go without having to pack up and go home; go into a filthy, stinking bathroom; or smother their babies with a blanket.

Also, I wanted to thank your for bringing such an important debate to such a public form. I will definitely bring this up at my next La Leche League meeting so we can discuss ways to help public people, such as yourselves, understand how important NIP is to promoting breastfeeding in general. This whole conversation has helped me realize there are still people out there who can benefit from more education on nursing.

Cheers!
Melissa

P.S. I have never been a stripper. What a strange conclusion to make!


Anyway, long ramble short, I really want to take this further. I could boycott listening to the station, but I don't feel like that’s enough. I would really like to hit them where it hurts and at the very least compel them apologize for their insensitive comments.
Maybe get some advertisers to drop their campaigns on that station. I am just thinking about the damage this could potentially do. My husband made the point that there are probably a lot of young, impressionable, nursing mothers at home listening to the radio who are now going to be afraid to NIP because these "All-Knowing" DJs say they are offended by it. Grrrr, I am so mad.

Does anyone have any ideas?

[Romana]

Wow, they accused you of being a stripper when you were off the air? Wow.

I'm not sure what the best next step would be, but I liked your letter (hope they read it).

Julia
dd 1 year old

[Janice in Canada]

I think you've handled things very well - way to go!

Janice

[BennyPai]

I would send an equally articulate letter to advertisers who pay for airtime. As a former radio station billing manager, I believe this would be the most effective communication. I would urge advertisers to discuss the issue with the radio station's sales rep. These folks tend to be on commission and may help press the matter to the station manager.

[AEMOMMY]

Do I smell a nurse-in?????

[BCFD]

Oh, wow...that is just downright WRONG!! You know, I used to work in the music industry and worked with people like this. It's all about offending and ratings. I think your letter was brilliant and I also think that a nurse-in might be in order. Maybe everybody could have a picnic lunch on the grass in front of their broadcasting offices. In fact, call the local news and let them know you are doing this and WHY you are doing this.

We just had a case in my town where DJ's acted so out of line that a woman DIED from drinking too much water. It was a promotion called "hold your wee for a wii" (the Nintendo wii - pronounced "wee"). It actually made national headlines. She kept saying she wasn't feeling well and they made comments like, "Yeah, well you and all the contestants signed a waiver in case anybody should die". Seriously...WAYYYYYYYYY out of line. Her husband sued the station and the DJ's were fired.

Now, I don't relate THAT situation to what happened here (nobody is going to die from not NIP), but DJ's better wake up and be REALLY careful about what they are promoting. So, I'd definitely not let them get away with this. What city are you in?

ETA: Could somebody tell them that 101.9 is not THE END of the dial?? That would be 107.9.

[sapphire_chan]

Wow, your letter doesn't read like you're spitting nails at all. I'm all kinds of impressed. How much soothing tea did you have to drink before you were able to be that calm?

Sorry I don't have anthing productive to add to this discussion!

[MaryJaneLouise]

Originally Posted by BCFD

Now, I don't relate THAT situation to what happened here (nobody is going to die from not NIP), ...

Actually, it might be kind of a stretch, but you know hundreds of US babies die in their first year of life from lack of breastfeeding. So anything that discourages BF, including anti-NIP, IS potentially lethal .

[BCFD]

Originally Posted by MaryJaneLouise

Actually, it might be kind of a stretch, but you know hundreds of US babies die in their first year of life from lack of breastfeeding. So anything that discourages BF, including anti-NIP, IS potentially lethal .

Well, actually that is somewhat of a stretch. How would a baby die from "lack of breastfeeding" unless the mom just wasn't feeding him/her period?

[*mama moose*]

it doesn't happen so often in this country, but things like unsanitary water supply (you have to mix formula w/ something), contaminated/unsafe formula, allergic reactions to ABM. Theres a picture in my human lactation textbook of a woman (fron India I think? can't remember and NAK) who was told/convinced she could not BF both of her twins, so she FFed the girl. The girl baby is skinny and corpse-like and the boy, her twin brother, is plump and healthy. I read that the girl died a month or so after the pic was taken.
So lack of BFing can kill babies.
I emailed my local radio station with the press release for the airport nurse in a few months ago. They are the "shock jock" types and of course made fun of the whole thing like thy do everything else. My DD was only a few months old and colicky.....I was too tired to protest them/do something about it so I just let it slide. Now that I'm reading this I totally regret not sending them at the very least a follow up email.

[sharon71]

Originally Posted by BCFD

Well, actually that is somewhat of a stretch. How would a baby die from "lack of breastfeeding" unless the mom just wasn't feeding him/her period?

There is an article titled "The deadly influence of infant formula in America" by Linda Folden Palmer. it's a very interesting read.
http://www.babyreference.com/InfantDeaths.htm

[MaryJaneLouise]

Originally Posted by BCFD

Well, actually that is somewhat of a stretch. How would a baby die from "lack of breastfeeding" unless the mom just wasn't feeding him/her period?

zx

SIDS, necrotizing enterocolitis, and cancer for starters. Yes, deaths in the USA.

[BCFD]

Originally Posted by MaryJaneLouise

zx

SIDS, necrotizing enterocolitis, and cancer for starters. Yes, deaths in the USA.

Yah, but respectfully that is not a fair statement. Babies can also die from SIDS and cancer that are breastfed. And you can't blame NEC on lack of breastmilk. Necrotizing enterocolitis is a gastrointestinal disease of unknown etiology in neonates. NEC is characterized by mucosal or transmucosal necrosis of part of the intestine. The very small, ill, infant who is born before term is most susceptible to NEC, and the incidence is increasing because of the improved survival rate in the high-risk group of infants born prematurely.

It's about prematurity, not formula. I'd like to see real stats from a reliable medical source proving that formula is the cause for NEC.

But anyway, of course breastmilk is best. But back to the topic, those DJ's were just flat out wrong and something should be done in that city. I hope the OP can organize something.

[sharon71]

Originally Posted by BCFD

Yah, but respectfully that is not a fair statement. Babies can also die from SIDS and cancer that are breastfed. And you can't blame NEC on lack of breastmilk. Necrotizing enterocolitis is a gastrointestinal disease of unknown etiology in neonates. NEC is characterized by mucosal or transmucosal necrosis of part of the intestine. The very small, ill, infant who is born before term is most susceptible to NEC, and the incidence is increasing because of the improved survival rate in the high-risk group of infants born prematurely.

It's about prematurity, not formula. I'd like to see real stats from a reliable medical source proving that formula is the cause for NEC.

But anyway, of course breastmilk is best. But back to the topic, those DJ's were just flat out wrong and something should be done in that city. I hope the OP can organize something.

http://patients.uptodate.com/topic.a...neonatol/28405

[MaryJaneLouise]

Originally Posted by BCFD

But anyway, of course breastmilk is best. But back to the topic, those DJ's were just flat out wrong and something should be done in that city. I hope the OP can organize something.

Breastfeeding is NOT best!

[rmzbm]

Wow, you're WAY calmer than I am!

And, yes, BF is NOT best!!

[MaryJaneLouise]

Originally Posted by BCFD

It's about prematurity, not formula. I'd like to see real stats from a reliable medical source proving that formula is the cause for NEC.

It's about prematurity AND formula feeding.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/q...t_uids=8086675

Acta Paediatr Suppl. 1994;396:2-7.
Epidemiology of necrotizing enterocolitis. Kosloske AM.

Department of Surgery, Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus.

Ninety percent of the patients are premature infants. Mucosal injury, bacterial colonization and formula feeding are the three major pathogenetic factors that have been documented in most infants who have developed NEC.

[My4Boys]

Don't forget Enterobacter Sakazakii

Here's a link to the pic another poster referred to as well. I know, not from this country. Still a powerful image.

[Bella Mia]

Just had to send something . . .

I'm glad you posted, Missy! Although they may or may not care, or listen, or whatever, I went ahead and sent everyone there (well, all of the DJs) a little educational email that I recently sent one of my co-workers when he challenged a woman's right to breastfeed in public. I think in most cases, people are ignorant to the topic because they have never breastfed, or they breastfed for a while but stopped because of ignorance or lack of support or whatever. I didn't really think much of the issue until I had my dd 14 months ago, but boy, I sure think a lot about it now! Sorry for the length, but below is what I sent: (And I know it's far from perfect and all-inclusive, but I wrote it in a way that I hoped would make sense to people who are ignorant yet have strong opinions about it)

Hello!

I read on a message board today that some of the DJs at your station were discussing nursing in public and their feelings that nursing in public is gross and should be only done at home. As a working, nursing mother of a 14-month-old girl, I thought I'd send over some information about breastfeeding to help educate those of you who haven't breastfed before, or who did, but never felt comfortable nursing in public or didn't stick with it for whatever reasons.

So here's a little bit of info about why women choose to breastfeed in the first place, and also why it’s important and often unavoidable to nurse in public. Breastfeeding moms should be applauded for their commitment to raise the healthiest children possible - not made to feel ashamed for doing what they know is best for their children. Imagine the money that would be saved in medical costs alone if even a fraction of the medical issues listed below were reduced because of breastfeeding!

Just a few reasons why women choose to breastfeed:

(Note – the American Academy of Pediatrics and all health organizations around the world recommend that all mothers breastfeed for at least 6-12 months because of its unmatched benefits for mother and baby)
Breastfeeding is good for baby
Human breast milk alone is the perfect food for babies under six months old. Breast milk with the start of iron rich solid foods around six months is recommended for at least the first year of life.
 Breast milk protects babies from infection.
 Breastfed babies are less likely to have ear infections, diarrhea and respiratory illnesses.
 Breastfed babies are less likely to develop childhood obesity, diabetes and chronic bowel disease.
 Breast milk protects babies from cancers such as leukemia and lymphoma.
 Breastfeeding lowers the risk of allergy and asthma.
 Breastfed babies have less risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
 Human milk promotes development of the brain and nervous system. Children who were breastfed do better on IQ tests.
 Breast milk is always ready, clean and safe.


Babies Eat When They Are Hungry and It’s Important That They Nurse or the Milk Goes Away
 Most newborns breast-feed eight to 12 times a day — about every two to three hours – and considering each nursing session takes 15-30 min and the fact that they sleep 12-15 hours/day, outings are very challenging to plan and execute
 Many moms stay close to home for the first few weeks of the baby’s life, but most people have to get out and about eventually (and some don’t have a choice)
 Babies are on their own “schedule” as to when they want to eat (mom doesn’t have control) so even when a mom tries to time an outing around feeding, it’s pretty much guaranteed that she’ll find herself in a situation with a hungry, screaming baby in public at one point or another.
 In the case the above happens, let’s say at a mall for example, she can drop everything she was doing, race out of the mall with the screaming baby, drive all the way home with the screaming baby and then try to get the baby calmed down enough to feed, or she can find a spot to sit at the mall, nurse the baby quietly and then go about her way.
 So why not just bring along a bottle? In order to make milk, the baby needs to nurse (or the mom needs to pump). If the mom “skips” a feeding, her body decreases the amount of milk she makes. This leads to not producing enough milk and eventually losing the milk altogether (not to mention a bunch of other issues that I won’t drone on about).


Why Is Breastfeeding Seen as “Gross” or “Inappropriate?”
 Americans are simply not used to seeing babies breastfeed. When we’re not used to something, it often makes us uncomfortable. That’s totally normal and understandable. The primary issue here really involves education and exposure to the issue.
 Breasts are often seen as sexual objects although their main purpose is to feed babies. Not to say that they shouldn’t be sexual too – but that’s not their only function.
 Americans believe that breastfeeding is something that should be done “privately” but in today’s society where we have to go into public on a daily basis to function, it is not realistic for breastfeeding to only take place at home. If a baby is hungry, a baby has a right to eat – no matter where the mom happens to be at the time. It’s normal, encouraged, natural and shouldn’t be treated as a bad thing to only do in private.


Some Things to Consider
 Most moms who breastfeed in public do so discreetly - not that they have to “by law,” but because they prefer not to “bare all” in public. Think about the last time you saw a woman breastfeeding who was just letting it all hang out – as compared to the last time you saw the greater part of a woman’s breasts in a low-cut top at the mall or in an advertisement.
 When talking about making people uncomfortable – people often behave in ways that make others feel uncomfortable (but they have a right to do what they want to in places of public accommodation) – wearing revealing clothing, swearing, making out, wearing t-shirts with controversial slogans, etc.
 Using tattoos as an example, imagine if you were asked to change into a different shirt or leave a store because you had full-sleeve tattoos and someone complained about it making them uncomfortable.
 Imagine that all of the world health organizations recommended that you get tattoos because of their amazing health benefits, but then when you went out in public with the tattoos, you were asked to cover them up or only wear clothes that showed them at home or in the bathroom, etc.
 Feeding a baby is not equivalent to urinating or having sex in public. It is equivalent to eating in public which is clearly normal and acceptable. Other than making people feel uncomfortable, it does not interfere with others, it doesn’t leave a mess, it is clean and safe, and is a necessary part of taking care of another person.
 Sixty years ago an African American person sitting in a “white only” restaurant in the South probably made a lot of people uncomfortable, but with education and exposure to the issue and injustice of it, society’s perceptions shifted and things are different today.


~Candice

[Momtwice]

Originally Posted by BCFD

It's about prematurity, not formula. I'd like to see real stats from a reliable medical source proving that formula is the cause for NEC.

A quote from the director of the milk bank in Iowa City (at the link there is also a quote from a neonatologist saying human milk can prevent some deaths)
http://www.uihealthcare.com/depts/ch...timonials.html

For small preemies, it is quite a struggle and we need to do everything possible to help them. Mother's milk helps preemies, and I feel strongly that no preemie should be deprived of the benefits of mother's milk. That is why we need the Mother's Milk Bank.

Ekhard E. Ziegler, MD
Medical Director
Mother's Milk Bank
Professor and Director, Division of Pediatric Nutrition

From the American Academy of Pediatrics:
http://aappolicy.aappublications.org...rics;115/2/496

"Infectious Diseases
Research in developed and developing countries of the world, including middle-class populations in developed countries, provides strong evidence that human milk feeding decreases the incidence and/or severity of a wide range of infectious diseases including bacterial meningitis, bacteremia,diarrhea, respiratory tract infection,necrotizing enterocolitis,"

Schanler RJ, Shulman RJ, Lau C. Feeding strategies for premature infants: beneficial outcomes of feeding fortified human milk versus preterm formula. Pediatrics. 1999;103 :1150 –1157

Lucas A, Cole TJ. Breast milk and neonatal necrotising enterocolitis. Lancet. 1990;336 :1519 –1523