1511cf66_all_To_Action_on_Breastfeeding__Topic
[ID] 894 [Interest Areas] Concerned Citizen Health Care Provider [Comment] I breastfed my daughter until she was 18 months old and exclusively until she was six months old (she started solids then). I definitely am a strong supporter of breastfeeding. However, I have been sad to see and even angered by the way breastfeeding is being promoted in some commericals. One of these features a pregnant woman riding on a mechanical bull and then the comment is made to the effect that 'you wouldn't approve of something as risky as this so why would you take the risk of not breastfeeding'. Commericals like these are shaming to women and do not get to the heart of why women don't breastfeed. Many women don't breastfeed because they don't have the support from friends, family, hospitals, lacation consultants, peditricians,and work places. Many women don't continue or try to breastfeed because they are overwhelmed with parenting without extended family and helpers. Breastfeeding is taxing, can be painful when you don't have the 'latch' thing figured out, and can be isolating (so many restrictions about when and where,etc). Media attempts to encourage breastfeeding need to understand these factors and make use of this knowledge or they will not succeed in their efforts. Don't 'blame the victims',confront the reality and educate with care. [Topic] 
Portrayal of Breastfeeding in Traditional Popular Media and New Electronic Media
Call To Action on Breastfeeding
Topic