Great Lactivism Opportunity: Oprah!

[merry-mary]

I was just looking on the Oprah website in the hopes that I could figure out which show was her favorite things. No dice.

But, I did see that they are looking for women who breastfeed, especially it seems those who do child lead weaning.

Just thought I would pass it along! Below is the info posted, and on the site you submit your personal info.

*** from oprah.com ***

Are You Too Old to Breast-feed?
Are you currently breast-feeding your son or daughter? How old is he or she? Do you wonder what age is appropriate to wean your child? Do you think your family and/or friends feel uncomfortable around you or discussing the topic of breast-feeding?
What is your position on when to wean your child? We want to hear your thoughts.
Please only write-in if you are willing to appear on television.

[mamajake]

I would be extremely carefully about taking this offer. Oprah does not have a good history covering breastfeeding and having read the tale elsewhere of the moms duped by producers into being humiliated on the Tyra Banks show, I worry about mothers being lured into bad situations.

Just my thoughts.

[hparsh]

Originally Posted by mamajake

I would be extremely carefully about taking this offer. Oprah does not have a good history covering breastfeeding and having read the tale elsewhere of the moms duped by producers into being humiliated on the Tyra Banks show, I worry about mothers being lured into bad situations.

Just my thoughts.

Wow. Really? That's disappointing. I've always liked Oprah. Can you elaborate on what happened on Tyra's show?

[merry-mary]

Originally Posted by hparsh

Wow. Really? That's disappointing. I've always liked Oprah. Can you elaborate on what happened on Tyra's show?

Whoa, yikes. Yeah, tell us more about what happened.

It's a shame. This would be such a powerful outlet, but only if it's presented fairly.

[mamajake]

There was a thread here about the Tyra show (I'd find it but I am terrible at searching for threads). I didn't see the show but in another cyberplace I read a post from one of the moms who was featured on this Tyra segment about extended breastfeeding. Sorry I don't have permission to reproduce it. Basically, both she and the other mom guest (the more famous mom of the "Exceptional Breastfeeding" British documentary) were assured by producers that they would be allowed to speak without being attacked, etc. Tyra (who never spoke off camera to these guests) basically encouraged the audience to express disgust and disapproval of nursing kids beyond infancy. The guests were cut-off and both Tyra and the audience made nasty remarks about the mothers and extended breastfeeding.

Someone who saw the show can elaborate more on what it looked like but I know first hand at least one of the guests was told one thing by producers and encountered something else.

Whenever I see producers trolling for mothers currently engaging in non-traditional behavior, rather than looking for experts on the subject (doctors, researchers, academics), my "exploitation/in search of ratings warning" light goes off.

[mamajake]

Okay, found links to some of the Tyra threads:

http://www.mothering.com/discussions...highlight=tyra

http://www.mothering.com/discussions...ht=tyra&page=2

[Swan3]

Originally Posted by mamajake

I would be extremely carefully about taking this offer. Oprah does not have a good history covering breastfeeding and having read the tale elsewhere of the moms duped by producers into being humiliated on the Tyra Banks show, I worry about mothers being lured into bad situations.

Just my thoughts.

I'd never heard about that, I think though that Oprah has proven herself to be professional and ethical - I'm willing to give her a chance on this.

Also, I think as a lactivist I embrace the opportunity to teach others, if I feared their reaction where would I be?

[TefferTWH]

I wouldn't trust Oprah to make this a positive thing for BFing.

[Swan3]

Originally Posted by TefferTWH

I wouldn't trust Oprah to make this a positive thing for BFing.

Why not? Has she shown any negativity toward BF before?

[karlugato]

Well, even if she doesn't put a nice light on breastfeeding, I'll hope that whoever gets on the show makes it look good and doesn't let anyone intimidate or embarrass her.

[Swan3]

Originally Posted by karlugato

Well, even if she doesn't put a nice light on breastfeeding, I'll hope that whoever gets on the show makes it look good and doesn't let anyone intimidate or embarrass her.

Hopefully it's me! I wrote in!

[ananas]

Originally Posted by mamajake

I would be extremely carefully about taking this offer. Oprah does not have a good history covering breastfeeding and having read the tale elsewhere of the moms duped by producers into being humiliated on the Tyra Banks show, I worry about mothers being lured into bad situations.

Just my thoughts.

Yup. I have the feeling it could turn into a very bad situation where the mama gets so fumbled up she doesn't even know what to say.

[Ziggysmama]

Oprah really doesn't do shows that shame people anymore. She hasn't for years and years. Her shows are supportive and interesting. Oprah is a professional journalist with integrity. Shes not really in the same league as Tyra Banks. Not by a long shot.

Off the top of my head I can remember an instance when breastfeeding ws mentioned on Oprah. She was interviewing a mother of quintuplets (i think, could of been sextuplets) and the mother mentioned she was EBF them and pumped like a 60 bottles a day. Oprah was impressed.

[Karamom]

I saw a Oprah episode that briefly featured the milk donner program which sent breastmilk to needy babies in Africa. She praised the woman who started the program.

[miche28]

Originally Posted by Karamom

I saw a Oprah episode that briefly featured the milk donner program which sent breastmilk to needy babies in Africa. She praised the woman who started the program.

Unfortunately, that "program" was largely a front for a for-profit milk bank that duped well-meaning mothers into donating their milk for a commercial product.

This became clear, but it was never addressed on the show.

[Ziggysmama]

Originally Posted by miche28

Unfortunately, that "program" was largely a front for a for-profit milk bank that duped well-meaning mothers into donating their milk for a commercial product.

This became clear, but it was never addressed on the show.

Do you have any links on this??

[star*mora]

well breastfeeding must be an important topic now that it's making it on oprah!

i'd feel more comfortable with her having a show about it than let's say - the view!

[miche28]

http://thelactivist.blogspot.com/200...rnational.html

I haven't kept up with the news on it, though the 'project' has taken on new and different names since this was written. I should clarify that the original intent seemed to have been sincere, just sounds like a well-meaning person got snowed by a big corporate interest.

[Nautical]

I would imagine that with a show like this she would have Dr. Oz on, and I can't see him saying anything negative about extended breastfeeding.

[Swan3]

Originally Posted by Nautical

I would imagine that with a show like this she would have Dr. Oz on, and I can't see him saying anything negative about extended breastfeeding.

Or Dr Sears, who we all know is big on BF!

I have a lot of respect for Oprah, she's really made an effort in a lot of areas and call me naive but I think she's made a difference in people's lives. Being a fan, I've also observed that if she's really against something she'll say it outright (like the whole puppy mill thing) and if even if she's not pro-something she can present it in a non-attacking and open way.

As for the PP who worried that some moms would get jumbled up - I have faith in my fellow lactivist mamas. I know I go into it with a positive, non-defensive attitude...plus, I know martial arts. Just try and knock me down!