Promoting confidence in public breastfeeding (From The Argus)
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Bosom Buddies
9:15pm Monday 14th June 2010
By Michelle McCann - Mummy McCann »
I was invited, via Facebook, to an event called Bosom Buddies today. The group's main focus is making mummies feel confident breastfeeding in public. Dads are welcome too.
I went along not expecting anything really apart from a group of women breastfeeding and talking about breastfeeding. I think I was expecting some hard core breastfeeding mummies that would think their way is the right way and breast is best.
I had seen so many women discuss breastfeeding on Twitter with very oppressive views. It was lovely to meet a bunch of people very relaxed about parenthood, open to discussions regarding breast, bottle, formula feeding as well as baby led weaning, puree feeding and discussions on slings too. It was a very relaxed atmosphere and one that focussed on mums' instincts to act on babies' needs rather than forced opinions. It was so lovely to meet a relaxed group of mummies, so much so that the group was still around when I left to meet Gav after being in the gardens for three hours.
I'll definately be joining them next week. The group meets in Brighton's Pavillion Gardens from 12:30pm until 3:30pm, remember to bring a rug!
If you'd like more information on Bosom Buddies or advice on starting a group in your area please contact brightonbosombuddies@gmail.com or join the group Bosom Buddies on Facebook.
I hope to see you there next week.
anubis says...
10:56pm Mon 14 Jun 10
During my childhood years, just before and during the second world war, in Australia, it seems that it was impossible to travel on a tram or bus and not see a mum breast-feeding her child. Nobody was 'shocked', I doubt if anyone was embarrassed. I remember being in public places with my own aunties, breast-feeding my younger cousins ....
I'm sure that Australia today is like the UK today; parallel with the exploitation of and imitation of the Katie Prices, the 'women created by infantile masculine fantasies', while the truly human behaviours are presumably perceived by a retrograde culture as 'degraded' actions. Instead, massive fortunes are created in 'selling sexuality' ....
Good luck to you and the Bosom Buddies!