Have you got saggy boobs?

I was 'surfing' past the NOTW website (it being Sunday - yes I know it's not cool!) and found this picture on the front page.

It caught my attention (I would imagine it caught a few people's attention!), and I had a few thoughts:

1/ 'I can see her nipples' (draw your own conclusions about what this has to do with breastfeeding!)

2/ 'isn't that a bit sexual for the front page of a newspaper website?' (get real anne, this is a paper aimed at men...)

3/ 'THOSE LOOK REAL!!!!!!'  - I mean, some people might say there's a slight droop going on there - she wouldn't pass the 'pencil test' - and (of course) she's still very sexy!  

Quite frankly I'm in two minds about this image.  I'm delighted to see an underwear company using a model who looks a bit more 'real', and I'm also a bit shocked that in a country where some people still compare breastfeeding to urination/ defecation it's ok for the NOTW to have this on the front page of their website (I haven't seen the hard copy).

I'm also hoping that some of you who have mentioned to be that you think your boobs are less than pert will see this image and realise that they're really NORMAL and GORGEOUS! 

Celebrity Stalker...

Those of you on FB will know that I mulled this over a bit before dragging an unpredictable toddler and the hubster along to stand in the queue at Easons...  
Your verdict seemed to be a resounding 'give it a go', and so I did.

Gok Wan is well known for his love of women, and especially his appreciation of boobs... He's already led a very interesting life and has overcome enormous odds himself to get to where he is now (at one point in time he weighed 21 stone).  He is deservedly very popular.  It's true to say I'm looking forward to reading more about his story in his autobiography which I bought yesterday!

In the past he has featured  a woman who has suffered from breast cancer on his show, and although many of you have tweeted and messaged him on FB to ask if he'd do a show about breastfeeding mums, there has sofar been no response.

I decided to take a more 'direct' approach (quite late in the day), and only made my mind up to go to his book signing yesterday morning after asking for your thoughts on it!  I also decided not to let the fact that he and Dr CJ have 'tweeted' in the past put me off...  After all, they are two very different characters and anyone can tweet anyone - right?

Gok had a couple of scarey security men there to make sure no-one got too close, and the staff were making sure the queue moved as swiftly as possible so time was very limited!  To be honest I barely got a chance to say anything, but I did manage to ask him to do a show to help new breastfeeding mums, and I mentioned how hard it can be for them. 



Really hope I didn't hold on too hard!



It may have been my imagination, but from the expression on his face (once the shock subsided!) I feel that Gok probably is entirely genuine in his efforts to support people who are struggling with self confidence issues. 

Most commonly, breastfeeding mums are portrayed as a bunch of bullying women who don't care who sees their boobs.  A show like Gok's would be a great opportunity to talk about the reality of how to help a nervous new mum for whom just stepping outside the front door is a big deal!
That's why I wanted to try and get across (in the brief time available!) how hard it is, particularly in the beginning.

The truth is that most new mums are very nervous about breastfeeding, about someone catching a glimpse of their stomachs or boobs, and about how they will be percieved by others.  They may also be suffering from the baby-blues or, in some cases, Post-Natal Depression.  Many will also have recently come through surgery or difficult labours.  They may be self-conscious about carrying extra weight, they may have wrinky, saggy tummies, stretchmarks, and most will also have whole heap more cleavage than they're used to!  They have to find new ways of dressing which will allow 'easy access' for their baby but isn't too in-your-face, frumpy or expensive.   Life-changing it most certainly is! 

Helping new mums to have a better perception of themselves and improved confidence is something I think Gok would be brilliant at.
I really hope that he will 'suggest it to the producers' as he said.
I thanked him, and he signed my book. 
That was it.

Yes, I felt like a prat. ;)

He's thinking 'Oh. My. God....'

Would YOU like to see Gok Wan do a show styling a new breastfeeding mum? 

Please add your comment below - thanks.

A Poem for Nursing Mums.

I have no idea who wrote this - I'm pretty sure it's well known. 
It was sent to me via FB nearly a year ago.  
I wish I knew who to credit for it - but if anyone DOES know, please can you leave the information in 'comments'?
Anyway - It's a lovely poem, and very apt I think.

Discreet is a word
That implies I am wrong,
I'm feeding my baby
I won't be long.

Obscene is a word
That implies I am lewd,
I'm feeding my baby
I'm not being rude.

Would you eat your lunch
With a shawl on your head?
I'm feeding my baby
And I'll stop when she's fed.

Would you eat your dinner
Whilst sat on the loo?
I'm feeding my baby
It's what all mum's should do.

Please don't make it hard
'Cos it gets on my nerves,
I'm feeding my baby
It's what she deserves.

DBM Petition.

In light of the recent PCC decisions concerning breastfeeding issues in the press, we have felt it necessary to request that special consideration be given to breastfeeding coverage.  Such consideration is afforded to other groups at risk of discrimination and although breastfeeding is entirely natural and normal, we feel that inaccurate and unbalanced reportage of the topic is not only commonplace, but also constitutes a health risk to mothers and their babies.

The wording of the petition is as follows, and you can sign it here.


To: OFCOM/ PCC



We would like to petition the Press Complaints Commission to implement additional 'special guidelines' to cover all areas of reportage concerning breastfeeding.


It has become apparent that the current complaints procedure does not wield sufficient power in this area.



Whilst breastfeeding is NORMAL and NATURAL, breastfeeding mothers still experience a degree of marginalisation within society. Statements casting doubt on the many benefits of breastfeeding (which have been unquestionably confirmed through research) are frequently made in all areas of the media. Inaccurate, misleading and harmful statements about the effects of breastfeeding on a woman’s body, her social life, or her working rights (and more) are also frequently made.


All such statements give rise to a health risk, as in contrast to babies who are breastfed and their mothers, formula fed babies and their mothers run an increased risk of many medical conditions. We feel any discussion of breastfeeding should also include accurate information about the risks of not breastfeeding so that mothers can make fully informed decisions.


We believe the media has an obligation in this area which is not being fulfilled and are contacting you under your commitment to community dialogue as a concerned group.


The PCC code includes rules concerning the protection of 'individuals at risk of racial, religious, sexual or other forms of discrimination.'


Many mothers are extremely vulnerable during pregnancy and in the weeks following birth. Being exposed to misinformation, unbalanced reportage and speculation during this time can result in a woman making 'life-changing' decisions which can affect her health, and the health & well-being of her child.


The amendments to the pregnancy and maternity provision contained within the Equality Act 2010 signify a recognition by the government that discrimination against breastfeeding mothers DOES exist within society, and seeks to provide additional protection for them. The government also acknowledges that breastfeeding 'is important to the health of both mother and child.'


The OFCOM broadcasting code section 2 covers ‘Harm and Offence’ and seeks to protect public health. It also requires that ‘Appropriate information should also be broadcast where it would assist in avoiding or minimising offence’. We feel that because factual information regarding the risks of not breastfeeding is frequently omitted from media reportage, it results in breastfeeding advocates being criticised for publicly stating proven facts about such risks. This creates further discrimination.

Although breastfeeding is normal, natural and is accepted in many areas of the country as such, a strong current of disapproval still exists within society. Such disapproval has caused other 'minority groups' to be afforded special protection within the PCC and OFCOM codes, and we feel it's important at this point in time that we ask for the same protection in line with current UK legislation.



Supporting Information:


http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2812877/
http://www.llli.org/NB/NBSepOct05p208a.html http://www.promom.org/bf_info/why_bf.htm http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2004/may/14/health.medicineandhealth2 http://www.ucl.ac.uk/ich/ich-news/Article4 (obesity)
http://www.howbreastfeedingworks.com/?p=58=1



Sincerely,
The Undersigned






In order for this petition to carry any weight at all, it's vital that we get as many signatories as possible. 

Please share it as widely as you can.

Many Thanks.