Like the cervical smear ads I think they need to put white people in them too. I did a small bi%ch about them a few months ago. They need to have all cultures in them.

I often miss the point and may have this time as well but I dont see the big problem with them.  To me they are just trying to normalise BFing and point out that it is a good thing and it isnt always easy (and WE all know that, even the FFers know that BF is good).    I take it that it is saying we should be thinking about giving it a go.  As Steph said, there are people out there that dont consider BFing at all ( and I am pretty sure all of you that cant BF still considered it and wanted to) but some people never wanted to for ignorant/selfish (?)  reasons (like wanting to drink, lose their shapely boobs etc).  These people need encouragement and thats what I felt these ads were about.

I also think that is the point of the breast is best campaign.  I dont (and I may be naiive here) think it is to jam it down our throats but more to reverse the message of generations that formula was better.  Maybe Breast is ok...is more accurate but it doesnt rhyme as nicely.

and I agree...I would like to see some men sitting around talking about getting their prostates checked...hehehe.

Basically Random strangers need to learn to keep their traps shut on a number of things dont they? 

I wonder if we feel the breast is best campaign is in our faces because its where we are at.  I wonder what other non mothers have noticed.  Its really hard to be objective when you are in the midst of it all (thats me speaking about me, not criticisng others). 

Hmmm, interesting topic and responses so far ladies. 

I haven't paid any attention to the ads so can't really comment on those but as someone else commented I'd like to see more money spent providing resources to help women breastfeed (lactation consultants aren't cheap and I can't imagine a supplementary feeder, for weak milk supply, would have a small price tag either).

I also like Bubnumber2s idea of information booklets to be given to expectant mothers discussing the benefits of breastfeeding (for people like Steph referred to), the potential complications and where to go for help etc. 

Have seen a couple of them, doesnt bother me, like most ads I dont take much notice lol and usually turn the volume down cause they are so loud! Personally I have done what is best for me and my family, and for us that is bottle feeding, for reasons which I dont need to explain to anyone other than my own. This interests me though? 

[QUOTE=Mum2Lucas] Whether you breastfeed or bottlefeed its always going to be a sensitive subject, I get a bit pissy when someone says they bottlefeed but thats because I'm all for breast. I imagine the same goes for those who bottlefeed - they get annoyed when someone mentions breastfeeding for whatever reason.

I say if they advertise formula, then its only right that they advertise breastfeeding too. [QUOTE]

Why does it bother you how other people feed their kids?  I certainly appreciate breastfeeding, and support my friends who are doing it, and in turn they support me.  IMO I think it is being confident about your own decisions, after 3 children and all my experiences I know I am doing what is best for MY children and MY family, and therefore it doesnt bother me what everyone else is doing or not doing? And formula is not advertised, it isnt allowed to be, other than the follow ons for 6 months plus.

Another thing that is interesting is (generalising here) alot of breastfeeding mothers say breastfeeding isnt supported and vice versa for bottle feeding mums!

Something to remember is that the New Zealand Ministry of Health subscribes to the World Health Organisation's (WHO) recommendations regarding breastfeeding, including introducing the WHO/UNICEF Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative, which promotes establishment and maintenance of exclusive breastfeeding.

While we're on the topic I've heard a few times people mentioning that there's no information for mums that bottle feed.  I read 2 books when I was pregnant, one by Dr. Christopher Green and the other one by the Tresillion Institute and both had whole chapters on bottle feeding.  They are worth reading if you need information and are having trouble finding it.

lol bubnumber2!  You said it perfectly

Bubnumber2 wrote: Haha, indeed they do. I just can't understand people getting upset over another persons personal choice. I mean, if you are pro-breast or pro-formula, then that's awesome and I can be happy that you feel you're in the right, but your opinions apply to YOU, not everyone else.

Another thing, when you have a newborn the majority of people dont ask, are you cloth nappying or disposables? or are you cosleeping or is bubs in their own room?etc etc. 

And taken from that quote again, I think I am pro-feeding  In an extreme case, I know of a lady (a relation of a friend of a friend) who fed her baby cows milk from birth So there certainly are people out there who need educating, if you are not or can not breastfeed you do need that information on what is a suitable formula!!

KiwiMummy wrote: And taken from that quote again, I think I am pro-feeding  In an extreme case, I know of a lady (a relation of a friend of a friend) who fed her baby cows milk from birth So there certainly are people out there who need educating, if you are not or can not breastfeed you do need that information on what is a suitable formula!!

What... can she not read?  It says on the milk bottles "not suitable as a complete milk food for infants".  Not to mention that all the feeding charts (in the bounty pack) say not to give children cows milk until after 12 mo.

There is plenty of information out there, I mentioned 2 books in an earlier post.  People just need to look.

Mum2Lucas, I appreciate what you are saying, and you worded it so well, it is obviously something you are passionate about and that is great! I usually stay away from these kind of threads, but I think there are ways of getting points across and having an opinion without stirring crap or getting nasty.  at the end of the day this is what it comes down to:

Mum2Lucas wrote:  I'm sure as mothers we are all doing whats in the best interests of our children.

not offensive at all mrsmojo, lets just say she wasnt a very intelligent specimen of a human being!

KiwiMummy wrote: not offensive at all mrsmojo, lets just say she wasnt a very intelligent specimen of a human being!

Unfortunately we could put millions of dollars into ads and they still won't target people like that.

Mum2Lucas wrote: I'm sorry but I'm a breast basher and damn proud! Theres formula ads so why not advertise and promote breastfeeding too? I also disagree with those of you that say EVERYONE KNOWS breast is best, I know several young mothers or pregnant females that don't plan to breastfeed or were very quick to stick their kids on a bottle - not due to them being unable to breastfeed, BECAUSE their friends bottlefed, they wanted to go back to drinking/clubbing asap, cracked nipples hurt too me (harden up guys!) they didn't want it to risk losing their shapely breasts...you'd be surprised at some of the excuses I've heard! I personally think breastfeeding isn't promoted nearly enough, if it wasn't for me reading my parenting magazines, books, the net etc whilst pregnant I wouldn't have been as clued up as I am/was when Lucas was born, some of us don't have the luxuries of a decent midwife who explains these things. I went through several midwives whilst pregnant, none of which asked me whether I planned to breastfeed or went into any detail about it. Heck after Lucas was born I had to BEG an on call nurse to help me get him to latch because no one had offered. Whether you breastfeed or bottlefeed its always going to be a sensitive subject, I get a bit pissy when someone says they bottlefeed but thats because I'm all for breast. I imagine the same goes for those who bottlefeed - they get annoyed when someone mentions breastfeeding for whatever reason. I say if they advertise formula, then its only right that they advertise breastfeeding too. I HAVE NOT seen these ads yet, but hopefully will do soon. And whats so wrong with them picturing a mother breastfeeding? Its a natural thing between mother and child, God if I'm out somewhere (specifically when the boy was a young baby) and he's hungry I'm not going to think about the people around me, my kids wanting breast so I'm going to give it to him. Get over it already! ETA: I think that if the health benefits of breastfeeding were maybe promoted a bit more then maybe, just maybe more females (specifically younger mothers because that seems to be the trend I see) would actually consider breastfeeding for longer!

I am sorry to be contentious here Steph, but I suspect that you are the exception in terms of not getting a lot of info about b/f....I was bombarded with info when I was pregnant, in magazines, from my m/w, in leaflets from the Drs / Mw office....I think if you are pregnant and dont know that breast is bed, then you are living down a hole somewhere!

I also disagree about the formula advertising - certainly on TV I have only seen follow on formula advertised...I have never seen formula for under 6mths advertised on TV. Maybe its there and I just havent seen it.

I got quite upset the first time I saw the ads, as it just brought back my overwhelming sense of failure. In hindsight I dont think I got the support I needed with getting Oli to feed, but at the time I was so emotionally distressed that I didnt know where to turn.

I agree its the most natural thing in the world, and my plans had always been to be open and b/f wherever I needed to...but it didnt work that way....and I became too ashamed to feed Oli in public as people would comment on the bottle. I think that the amount of promotion and advertising related to b/f seems to make people (ie random strangers) feel that they can make statements or form assumptions if you are giving your baby a bottle. Its pretty ignorant and can be really hurtful.

Big SimSam, sounds like you had a really hard time!

I thought that was the case too Jess, that it was illegal to advertise formula?  other than follow on?

Going on from the ad (an I haven't read all the posts) was on breakfast they has some woman BF which was cool, but the reporter asked what happens if you can't BF and the woman said there is help out there for everyone and you just need to ask, and you can get it. I donn't believe that quite often you get advise but it is totally different to the advise that someone else has given you.

Formula is not allowed to be advertised for babies under 6 months, nor are the formula companies able to give you samples of the birth - 6 month formula.

You are right Bizzy, I wsn't watching the ad all that good, they are white trash.

nikkiwhyte wrote: The messages inherent in their advertising (even as it stands now when they can only advertise follow on and toddler formula) deeply disturb me.

I have to say I saw an ad for S26 (which is the brand we use) toddler milk and it was something about "the perfect blend of science and love"or something along those lines and I was like WTF?!?

That is really interesting Nikki. I would agree I am the same as you I am not anti formula (hell I had to use it for Andrew) I just hate the advertising for it. I find most of the advertising is for toddler milk which isn't actually needed.

See the ads Steph, And to the 'N' word that isn't refered to Islanders they have another word they are referred to, the "N" word is usually referred to Black Americans.

The idea behind the ad is good, just the wording isn't that good by the actors.

I think you are right there Steph, I grew up were the only Maori family around were in the gangs, very different to Papakura. But don't most schools have fight erupting almost everyday that aren't recorded or seen by the staff???

katie1 wrote: To me the point of the adds is to encourage families and friends to support people who are breastfeeding. I like the way that they are acknowledging that breast feeding can be hard work and that women need support. If they were just promoting the benefits of breastfeeding they would annoy me too but I actually think they are positive. I breast fed for eight months but I never actually liked it and found it tiring and hard. I think it is good that the adds acknowledge these issues.

This is exactly what I wanted to say - also the ads do not say not to use formula, they merely encourage breastfeeding - mainly to women who are talking themselves out of it for various reasons (like "it is too hard").

Mum2Lucas wrote:  I get a bit pissy when someone says they bottlefeed but thats because I'm all for breast.

I have no problem with the ads, but i do however have a problem with this comment.

Steph, I think I interpreted your comment as you meant it....you prefer breast and get a bit bummed when people mention bottle feeding just as bottle feeders get bummed when people go on about breast. 

My question is why should there be such a big divide......at least we are all feeding our babies

Perhaps social ettiquitte  should be dont talk about religion, politics or baby feeding

nzpiper wrote: Perhaps social ettiquitte  should be dont talk about religion, politics or baby feeding

lol!! Steph, you dont need to apologise for having an opinion! Thats the problem with the computer, you are just reading and cant interpret someones tone etc.  I wish people were confident in their choices, then maybe there would be no guilt?  When it comes to our precious babies of course people are going to get opinionated and that is ok, we are all allowed an opinion after all

I love the ads, I think they are great and they will be around for awhile, they launched the ads with bfeeding week and they will continue in a hopes to educate people about the benefits of breastfeeding. There is alot more in the pipe line for promotion of breastfeeding, this is only the beginning.

Steph, I wasnt ganging up on you hun..I just seen that and was like huh what? To be honest the whole bottle vs breast thing doesnt phase me at all. I think its more that people feel like they have to justify what they are doing because you cant hear how people are saying things.

I couldnt breastfeed for nearly as long as i would have liked but thats becasue i had no help, no support and no idea what i was doing. Next time im going to try 100 times harder to get that support and help.

I feel confident in my decision because i know i have a healthy and happy baby :)