There’s been a lot in the media in the last few days about Jamie Oliver. Having struck a victory over the addictive substance infiltrating young people worldwide (sugar) with the incoming sugar tax in the UK, he wasn’t one to rest on his laurels. While announcing another new addition to the Oliver clan (this will be their fifth child), Jamie Oliver stated in a radio interview that he would look to campaign about the benefits of breastfeeding babies as to hopefully increase the numbers of breastfeeding mothers in the UK. His comments, in particular his description of the task as “easy”, have seen him slated around the various social media outlets and certain publications – he is being demonised for “mansplaining” breastfeeding to women who know better.
But you know, I think he has a point, and his use of the word “easy” isn’t what you should be getting angry about.
He described breastfeeding in positive terms:
“We need to support the women of Britain to breastfeed more anywhere they want to,†said Jamie Oliver. “Be supported, be informed. It’s easy, it’s more convenient, it’s more nutritious, it’s better, it’s free.â€
Let’s break it down, shall we? His statement is divided into two halves, the latter getting more of the attention than the main message which is delivered in the first section.
Women need support. Women are not getting the support. Therefore levels of women breastfeeding their babies is dropping, and unless the amount of support changes, that isn’t going to differ any time soon.
As a first time mum in early 2014, I was made aware of the lactation consultant in a rather brushed off way by the midwife who ran through the various how-to-keep-your-baby-alive leaflets before discharging me. It hadn’t been mentioned to me before the birth, and the only real mention of breastfeeding beforehand was at one of my earlier hospital checkups where it was a question on a form “Do You Plan To Breastfeed”. At 22, I wasn’t regularly surrounded by breastfeeding mothers, and hadn’t really had much experience of it – but ever the optimist, I took the attitude of, “Sure, we’ll see how it goes”.
My baby was small. A little scut at just 2.5kg, and practically from the second he was placed in my arms, it felt like the “top up” bottles were being pushed on us. He was being closely watched as he was jaundiced and not great at keeping his temp regulated, so I wasn’t in any fit state to question what the experts were telling me to do. His first night was spent mostly in the nursery while my epidural wore off, and when I got him back I was told he’d been given a bottle. What I wasn’t told was that these early bottle top ups, however well meaning, would compromise the start of my breastfeeding journey with him.
He was a crap feeder for the first two days – he fell asleep after only a minute or two of feeding, but then would be constantly feeding or sleeping, no in between time. I remember one midwife, at nighttime, coming in and helping me with feeding him in a chair and in that moment I felt like this was something I could do – it was working, and I was reassured that she would come back to help me if I needed it. She was the only one though – and it isn’t something I blame the other midwives for, rather an overstretched service with overworked and undervalued midwifery staff who simply don’t have the time to sit for the ages it takes to make sure that a tiny baby gets that latch just right.
I lasted 9 weeks breastfeeding, and after that switched full-time to formula. I had one visit with the lactation consultant in CUMH, an amazing woman who I only wish I’d gone to earlier, who managed to get E off his nipple shield habit (messy things) and was full of encouragement. By then though, the damage had been done. All those top-up feeds had meant there was less demand for breast milk and my supply was suffering. There are so many things I would do differently if I had the time again. Experience and education have changed my views on so many different things, and shared experience with others is a major player in that. Some incredible bloggers I follow are true breastfeeding inspirations to me, and they document their journeys (good, bad and ugly) for all to see. Some of my favourites in this regard are Bumbles of Rice, Mama.ie, MindTheBaby.ie, The Airing Cupboard and At The Clothesline.
We need to get angry that this is the status quo in our maternity hospitals in the UK and Ireland – that isn’t Jamie Oliver’s fault. We need to get angry that the good side of breastfeeding – after the pain, the mastitis, the fussy baby who refuses to latch, the lopsided boobs when you forget which side you fed from last – isn’t being pushed enough in our education system to show that the benefits outweigh the cons. This argument isn’t about putting down formula feeding mums – it’s about making sure that the choice is in the hands of the mother, and isn’t just down to the support not being there for her to make that choice.
I’m sad to see that as a result of the backlash from his comments, Jamie Oliver has reduced the emphasis on a “campaign” to promote breastfeeding – merely stating that it is an interest of his – having seen the great progress he has made in educating the greater public about nutrition for the masses, I feel it’s something he could do real great work in.
Just because Jamie Oliver doesn’t have boobs, doesn’t mean he can’t support them. We need a real change in opinion, in funding and in prioritising women’s and children’s health instead of just going for the “easy option”. Nobody should have to choose a method due to lack of support – it should be their choice to make with all options open to them.
Hopefully this is just the start of a conversation, instead of just another battle in the seemingly endless “Mummy Wars”. We need to make it happen.
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When I had my eldest 13 years ago the support wasn’t there….From what I have read the support system has improved but it’s not what it could be….There does need to be more done.
I think Jamie Oliver has made a name for himself campaigning for things in a bull in a china shop way and people have that impression about him mentioning breastfeeding….
That he certainly does – but it does get us talking, clearly!
I think each mothers is entitled to make her own decision because not all mothers will want to, while others can’t. But while obviously the ‘easy’ remark from Jamie isn’t right it’s good that he’s saying it should be more acceptable x
The easy remark seems to be an off the cuff one, which he’s since backed down from – I’m definitely all for the choice being up to every single mother herself and nobody else, we just need to make sure the system is in place so that regardless of your choice you feel supported.
What I didn’t like about the Jamie Oliver statement was that he (to me) isn’t really in a position to comment. It seemed a bit moot from him, you know? I don’t understand why people have jumped on him, he was just a guy trying to say he supports breastfeeding mums, however I don’t really like anything that tries to ram breastfeeding down your throat. What if you just plain old didn’t fancy it? Its a choice, not something you should have to do. I couldn’t agree more that there needs to be FAR more support (as opposed to benign guilt tripping and flat out bullying from midwives in some instances) for women who want to breastfeed. H x
I didn’t feel it was being rammed down my throat – unfortunately it seems lots of women did which doesn’t seem to have been the intention behind it. The guilt tripping is definitely something we need to work on, for sure. However, it’s an important conversation to open and he’s definitely got people talking (even if half are enraged at him!).
I think it’s just the term he used. Other than that, you’re right about women needing support when it comes to breastfeeding. One thing’s certain though, after that Jamie Oliver remark, breastfeeding is in the limelight again which is good, because people get to talk about it and others be educated about it too. x
Exactly 🙂
I think you’re right that Jamie’s points are generally valid – just badly expressed. It’s such an emotive topic and a lot of women (myself included) feel so much guilt over breastfeeding that I don’t think he would have realised the minefield he was stepping into! I definitely agree that women should have the support they need: one of the worst things is the attitude that it’s natural so it’s easy – for some mums it is, for a lot it isn’t. So that support needs to be there to help those who want to try and want to get the benefits. But for those who can’t breastfeed for any reason, it can feel like there’s such overwhelming pressure to do it, that formula is no substitute and when you’re tired, vulnerable and new to parenting, it’s an emotional mix.
yep.. the monster that is press at its finest…. i think it was blown out of proportion.. a man commenting on breastfeeding .. no matter how positive he is trying to be will never come out well x x
I had exactly the same experience with the top up bottles, I really felt like they were pushed on me and my little one was only small too – it created problems with latch on and I think it triggered a dairy allergy (and subsequent food allergies) but we did go on to feed till she was almost 3 so it worked out in the end, only because I had the experience from my first. I think Jamie didn’t mean easy as such and I don’t think he deserves the criticism he’s getting to be honest. I also do believe that it’s ok and even necessary maybe, that men also support breastfeeding.
Completely relate with you about feeding in public, I breastfed Freddie for 5 months and literally use to break into sweats when I knew we had to go out somewhere. I do think Jamie Oliver makes a valid point and I think his ‘easy’ remark has been taken out of context. Breastfeeding is a team effort an unfortunately sometimes it just doesn’t work out for a mother and baby. Personally I feel a guilt free mother is better for a baby, whether they are bottle or breast fed.
I agree! We need to support women whatever choice they make!
Exactly that is like saying men can’t be feminists which they totally can! I think Jamie has a point why should we make breastfeeding a big thing it is normal and should be considered as a taboo by society. It is just boobs after all!
This debate about breast and bottle drives me crazy. Ultimately it is the woman’s decision and people need to respect that! It is none of my business if a woman decides to bottle feed or not. I know breast is best but it just isn’t for some people and women who bottle feed are made to feel guilty like they aren’t doing the best they can for their child. On the other hand I don’t understand why breast feeding is such a big deal, it is natural and is what boobs are for anyway so why is it still frowned upon by some?! It definitely isn’t easy, it may come naturally to some women but not to all but some people have nothing better to argue so they cling onto that word which I am sure he regrets using now haha