[gurumama]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/3173958.stm

Only 8% of Brazilian moms exclusively breastfeed to 6 months--I wonder what the comparable American numbers are. It's around 30% for American babies--but exclusively?

Anyhow, an interesting campaign. I read somewhere that in Rio de Janeiro, as many as 85% of moms (this might be only upper income moms--I don't remember, though) get elective c-sections because they want to stay nice and tight vaginally. Sigh... So a pro-breastfeeding campaign in Brazil is great to see!

 

[melamama]

I just saw this too. At least it's a positive mention of bfing in the news--and she's bfing twins in the photo!

I hope it helps, I love how the male Dr. quoted mentioned how the campaign makes some women feel persecuted

:

 

[DaryLLL]

How I love the beautiful pic of the famous Brazilian actress, Luiza Tome, bfing her twins!

Of the 70% of US women who bf at hosp discharge, 30% are still nursing at 6 mos. All exclusively? I doubt it.

Quote:

"The tone of this campaign makes some women feel persecuted," says Dr Leonardo Posternak, a 30-year veteran of child medicine. "Many women find it difficult to breastfeed, for all sorts of reasons. In my opinion, a baby who is bottle-fed lovingly is far better off than a child who is breastfed badly or carelessly. While its mother is watching a soap opera, for example."

Typical dr BS!!! As if watching TV while bfing for the 14th time that day means you are a careless mother. Where is the logic in that? Do ABM feeding moms not watch soap operas?

Here is the campaign:

Quote:

Advice for Brazilian mothers For first six months, baby should only be given breast milk Breastfeeding should continue for a further 18 months - in combination with other food Breast milk helps a baby's growth and prevents diarrhoea, ear infections and breathing difficulties Mothers who breastfeed are less likely to develop certain types of cancer Breastfeeding should not be combined with bottle-feeding Young babies should not be given dummies Source: Brazilian Paediatric Society

I would object to the one directive, bfing should not be combined with bottle feeding. Of course, if you are working and pumping, it is great for the baby to get your EBM in a bottle. Or, if you can't pump, even only one or two bfings a day still makes a huge difference. It is not ideal, but still important, to make the distinction.

Yes, I have seen on TV that Brazilian women are extraordinarily concerned with being physically beautiful. Bikini ready at all times. I am glad one of their idols is bucking the trend. She is bfing and beautiful!

 

[Geofizz]

I thought pregnancy makes the breasts sag, not breastfeeding?

It's mentioned more than once in the bbc article, but I understand it's not even true.

Still, great to see. I had no idea bf rates could be so low.

We went to Paris when DD was 10 months old. I didn't see a SINGLE baby breastfeeding when I was there, despite spending much of our time in parks letting Karen play. I understand bf rates are rock bottom in France as well. So sad.