44 responses so far ↓

• Lyndsey // Mar 4, 2010 at 12:43 am

  I love this site!!!! I’m 20 years old with my first son and i too was determined to breastfeed him all through-out my pregnancy even though some realatives would try to discourage me and even go as far to say it’s ‘weird’. Personally i don’t understand women who choose not to breastfeed without even giving it a thought. I asked a friend how she was feeding when she was pregnant and she replied saying that she would bottle as she didn’t want to feel tied!! Once you have a baby aren’t you tied to that child anyway??!! On the other hand i have a friend who was so determined to breastfeed she had to express for every feed because she had a c-section. At three months she realized she had spent one of those months expressing, sterilizing and then feeding her son. Now that really is determination! As for me I plan to breastfeed until I return to work, it’s the most rewarding experience that i wouldn’t change for the world! I love knowing that my son is getting exactly what he needs, and as for the realative that called breastfeeding weird, well, lets just say they are now eating their worlds when they look at how amazingl he has grew, he has not once lost any weight!

• Sam // Feb 16, 2010 at 10:51 pm

  I breastfed my baby for 15 months. He is nearly 3 now. It was probably the most wonderful experience of my life so far! I am expecting again, and I can’t wait to breastfeed the little one.
  I am utterly determined to breastfeed again… to me, breastfeeding is the logical conclusion of a normal healthy pregnancy and live birth. The baby expects it. I owe it to him (or her) to give him my milk if at all possible.

• Hannah // Jan 17, 2010 at 7:29 pm

  Hi I have a 3 month old baby girl who I am breastfeeding. I think that the support I received in hospital was shocking and the hospital I was in was mostly geared towards helping mothers to bottle feed. Also I attended antenatel classes and breastfeeding was never even mentioned, I think the benefits of breastfeeding have to be mentioned to prospective parents. Also prospective parents/new mothers should be told what to expect when breastfeeding- almost constant feeding to begin with, etc. No one at the hospital or afterwards (midwifes, etc.) told me it was normal that babies can feed all night and this is one of the reasons many women give up breastfeeding because they think they are not producing enough milk. Also on the secound night after my daughter was born, while I was still in the hospital and she had fed constantly all night I asked a midwife for help, thinking I must haqve been doing something wrong and rather than telling me it was normal she offered to give her a bottle, which could have confused her.
  I can’t understand why people would want a child and then not want to do the best for it by breastfeeding, yes it can be difficult to start with but is so worth it for the health benefits. I can understand there are a few people who can’t breastfeed but a lot of people I have talked to say I tried it for a few days/weeks, etc. then gave up because of pain or not having enough milk, so people need educating more on it. It just makes no sense to me to give a human baby cows milk which is meant for calves rather than human milk which is so perfectly suited for there own baby.
  I also believe that if more mothers breastfed it would cut down on asthma and other illnesses. Also 25% of bottle fed babies are obese by the time they are 4 years old because of they are usually overfed with formula to keep them satisfied or asleep longer, this then increases their stomach size and appetite.
  The government do not do enough to promote breastfeeding. I do not agree that Healthy Start vouchers should be able to be used for formula milks.
  The normalisation of bottle feedingis largely due to good promotion by the formula milk companys so unfortunately many mothers do not even consider breastfeeding.

• Lou // Sep 26, 2009 at 7:18 pm

  This campaign is great except I saw a poster depicting a “frumpy” dark-haired woman bottle feeding her baby and a glamourous, attractive, blonde woman breast feeding-the baby being bottle fed asks the other baby if they want to swap.

  Why is it important for women to be glamourous and attractive and blonde to breast feed?! Isn’t this going against all the hard work in healthy schools teaching girls they are more than their looks and their percieved sexual attractiveness?

  How will women who don’t see themselves as glamourous relate to this poster? I felt inadequate just looking at it-I need to breast feed AND look glamourous at the same time?!

  Surely you can come up with something better than this?

  Thanks

• Sarah // Sep 14, 2009 at 5:53 pm

  I am currently still feeding my 8.5 month old daughter and think that this campaign is fantastic. Before I gave birth I knew I wanted to breastfeed but was uncertain about how long I would be able to do it for. However once we started I knew I wanted to carry on for as long as possible.

  Unfortunately when my daughter was 9 weeks old I was diagnosed with gallstones and put on a waiting for them to be removed. I was in hospital for 3 days and had a lot of negativity from the nurses and doctors when I told them that I intended to continue breastfeeding so didn’t wish to have any drugs which would interfere with this. I also found that both the health visitor and hospital staff were unsupportive with regards to advice on expressing milk during my stay in hospital and so we had to muddle through for ourselves.

  Luckily when I had my op the staff allowed my daughter to come in beforehand so that I could feed just before going to theatre and I was able to feed again 24 hours afterwards.

  I’m so pleased to have been able to continue breastfeeding and plan to continue for as long as possible.

• Vicki // Jul 24, 2009 at 8:47 am

  What a great site! i am currently breastfeeding our 7th child, having fed all the others, including twins. it’s quite upsetting to read that some people have not been supported by midwives and/or family and friends. i have always had a lot of support from everyone around me. i have fed our babies all over the place and never had any unpleasant comments or been asked to stop. keep up the good work!

• Danielle // Jul 13, 2009 at 8:20 pm

  ever since i found out i was pregnant, i really wanted to breastfeed my baby and when i gave birth to my beautiful daughter she just latched on straight away and fed on both breast and the relief and joy that overcame me was unreal i was feeding my own baby. the first few weeks were so hard being so sore the the birth and episotomy, being so tired from getting up the the night and feeding baby everytime she cried just incase she was hungry. i had a mother in law that kept saying well maybe she’s not getting enough give her a bottle and if im honest it really hurt. but after those first few weeks i realise my daughter was gaining weight quickly and started to learn why she was crying and it all became so much easier. she never quite liked feeding away from home which was difficult, she’s just so nosey haha. but i kept with it. and now she’s 8 months and im still breast feeding both morning and night, i love looking down at my baby girl when she’s feeding a lovely flow of achievement rushes over me. now iv turned into that person thats full of knowledge and telling everyone i know to breastfeed and giving tips or advise.

• Brittany // May 31, 2009 at 5:30 pm

  Hi my name is Brittany Fabiano. I am asking for any moms in WV that have ever had a breastfeeding incident to come forward and tell their story. Anyone who has ever been harassed for breastfeeding in a public place. I am going to tell my story in hopes that more of you will come forward. But first just to let all the breastfeeding mom’s in WV know that we have no law to protect us while nursing in public. If someone asks us to leave we have no rights to stay. We are one of the last 2 states that have no laws to protect us. I am in hopes of getting enough people to tell their story and sent letters to the editor of all the papers in WV and get all our stories publicized. Once we all have our stories out there, it will be easier to get the public to support us in getting a law to protect us. August is breastfeeding awareness month. And we are trying to get an event in Morgantown to promote breastfeeding. I have been working closely with a lawyer that is willing to help, but in order for this to work, we need mom’s to come forward. If you don’t we will never be protected under the law to nurse our babies where ever they decide they want to be nursed. So here is my story.

  In the beginning of April 2009 I went to BioMedics Center to donate plasma. Children were not allowed in the BioMedics facility bc of insurance reasons. My sister was going to take her while I donated. So i told the lady I was just going to nurse my baby really quick before my sister took her. And she told me well you can not nurse here in here. So I went on the say that I was just going to step out in the hall and nurse her really quickly. Which was not in there facility anymore. And she continued on to tell me that I could not nurse my baby anywhere in that building. I looked at her and asked her why. She continued on to tell me that she did not want people to walk in and see my breasts. I looked at her and said “Are you serious?” and she said yes. Then later on I found out that the building was not there property, just the room inside the building where their facility was. So I was told that I could not nurse my baby and was not able to do anything about it. There is nothing to make you feel more helpless than just having to let people trample all over you bc there is no law to protect you. And that goes for when we are eating out and our babies decide that they are hungry. You may be asked not to nurse your baby while everyone else is eating and you have to obey or you could be asked to leave.

  Moms please come forward. If we can just get 4 or 5 people to tell their stories then we have a huge chance of getting this law passed! Thank you so much ladies for your support!

• Anna // May 16, 2009 at 8:24 pm

  I struggled breastfeeding my son and found the fact everywhere is so geared towards bottlefeeding so hard. He soon ended up on formula within a couple of mths after worries about slow weight gain.

  With my daughter I was determined to try again and have fed her exclusively. The support and advice I received this time round have been invaluable. I still get comments about how often I feed her, how a bottle would mean more rest etc but am far more confident this time and only have to look at her to know she is doing absolutely fine. She is 7mths old now and is fed absolutely anywhere which I find funny as the closest I got to public feeding with my son was sat on a disabled loo!

• Suzy Constantine // May 14, 2009 at 8:53 am

  Formula and processed baby foods are advertised constantly so how refreshing to see it from the other side. These adds are great and I have been telling all my friends about them weather they are mums or not. I have three children that have been breast fed and it can be some of the most lonely times being stuck in a tiny FEEDING ROOM somewhere with bare walls and a plastic chair. My daughter is now 11 months and people fells no shame in pointing or expressing there disgust at what I am doing when it is the most natural thing in the world. I chose to BF and respect everybody to have there own choice but don’t see how you can find an add campaign like this offensive. As women and mothers we are all STARS x

• Angie // Jul 10, 2008 at 9:33 am

  I am a 35 year old mum of 4!
  I had my 1st son at 18 and I didn’t feel I had the support I needed when I was breastfeeding, so I gave up after less than 3 months.
  My 4th son is now 15 months old and he has no intention yet of giving up!!

  It’s fantastic to see so many young mums on here breastfeeding, it can be so difficult to begin with but the benefits so outway the initial problems, I wish I had known with my 1st & 2nd babies, what I know now!

  At 35, I now want to train as a breastfeeding counsellor and hopefully encourage and support many more mums breastfeeding as I don’t feel theres enough support out there to help mums through the problems that can occur with breastfeeding. (sometimes health ‘professionals’ encourage you to stop!!)
  As some mums have pointed out, things don’t always come naturally or very easily, and problems can still occur even after a year of nursing. But I really do believe that more support is needed as the little support there is can be very hard to find, especially if you need it at 3am!!

  All mums are stars but those that breastfeed are giving their little ones something extra special.
  My favourite quote; “I make milk, what’s your superpower?!”

• Catherine // Jun 9, 2008 at 12:34 pm

  What a fabulous campaign. I am Cath, aged 27, mum to 4 children aged 6 and under and I work full time. Right from the start, I wanted to breastfeed all of my children, but it never worked out like that. With my first baby I really struggled and gave up early on. At the time i felt I had no support and not knowing any better, thought the only way forward was to bottle feed. I fed my second child longer but thought with me going back to work i would have to change to bottles so again gave up. Since then, I have learnt so much. I currently feed my almost 2 year old and my 6 month old - so we are here tandem feeding. Something I never thought I would be doing, but I was more determined than ever after feeling a ‘failure’ with my first two. I wouldn’t change anything now. I dont plan to wean for a long time yet and it feels great!

• Claire Bodell // Jun 5, 2008 at 6:52 pm

  I had my son in 2005 by emergency c section and it took days for my milk to come which was hard because the nurses had to cup feed him as I could not provide him what he needed. That was just the start of my problems! I got mastitas which was very pain full, then my breast started to swell. When I asked my health visitor to help she advised mw to massage my breast while feeding. After about 3 weeks of agony I asked her again getting the same reply, by this time my breast had a hard tennis ball size lump sticking out and I found it painfull even to hold my son close. I was then fed up and went to the G.P who gave me antibiotics whic did nothing. So then I had to wait for a breast scan which only showed it was a tumor. Then I had to go and have a needle inside ti try and get a sample but my lump was so hard they got nothing. In the end I had surgery months after my first complaint of pain to remove my badly infected abcess. They leave the wound open to heal from the inside out stuffing it every day with medical swabs (using a thin metel rods which hurt like hell) that suck out the infected puss, this takes months to heal. I ended up being in hospital 5 times because it kept getting infected. As you can guess my first few months as a mother we not the enjoyable experance I expected, and my poor husband was left holding the baby while I was in and out of hospital. He did a great job, but he will even say he stuggled as he had never even held a baby before our son came. Don’t let this but you off breast feeding, I am now 31 weeks pregnant with our second child and I will breast again but with more support from health professionals. Just learn from my mistakes if you feel there is something wrong with your breasts or any part of your body don’t be fobbed off, listen to what your body is telling you I wish I had seen a doctor sooner maybe my problem could have been sorted with medication. Hope you all enjoy giving your babies the best start in life .

• vicki stevenson-hornby // May 28, 2008 at 4:55 pm

  As a mum of one, I have, up to now, resisted the overwhelming need to post a comment on your site but I can hold back no longer! I find the title for the site and the ad campaign very demoralising - there are hundreds and hundreds of women out there who endure very difficult pregnancies and births and for whatever reason - whether health reasons (such as having a bilateral mastectomy!) or just the plain old fashioned thing which seems forgotten in today’s society - CHOICE do not breastfeed. Are we to take it that they are not ’stars’? - in my opinion, mums are stars and try their absolute best - to suggest that you are only a ’star’ if you choose to breastfeed is not only wholly untrue but I am sure I do not stand alone in finding it upsetting and offensive!!! I have done and continue to do my absolute best for my son, I did not breastfeed him and do not appreciate suggestions and insinuations that I have in some way, let him down, put his health at risk or indeed, have less of a bond with him - as much as the visitors of this site want to promote the rights of mothers to breastfeed, I would love to promote the right of each and every mother to choose for themselves without the guilt trip and judgement of others! I fully believe that I and anyone else who has bottle fed their baby, am equal to each and every ’star’ who has breastfed!!

• rachel bates // May 21, 2008 at 1:14 pm

  I’m 25 and I’ve got a twelve week old son and right from the start we both took to breastfeeding really well, i call it my guilty pleasure! the time when it’s just me and Harry. I thought i’d have problems with breast feeding because so many women i know gave up after only a few days, they all told me how it was such hard work. I’m so glad I didn’t let them put me off, Harry has nearly doubled his weight now and I’m so proud for both of us. It’s an amazing experience and i’m so glad i found this site it’s really nice reading the stories of how other women have taken to breastfeeding too. my experiences have been sooo good i only wanted a couple of children at first, but with the feeling of bonding i’ve got from feeding Harry I’d quite happily have many more (if my husband lets me). we’re all stars!!!

• Evelyn Anderson // May 19, 2008 at 12:16 pm

  I’m a 22 year old Mum of two. My daughter was born when I was 19. I have breastfed her for just over 2 years now and a year ago today I gave birth to my second child, a little boy. I nursed my eldest through the pregnancy because it was important to me to carry on providing what she found so comforting. Nursing through pregnancy wasn’t fun but I put up with it because it was so important to me and my daughter.

  Now a year later I am tandem nursing both my children. My toddler is starting to wean now but I am so proud of the fantastic start I’ve given her.

  My fiance and I are hoping to get pregnant with our third child in the next few months so I will be nursing my second child through pregnancy and afterwards tandem nursing with #3 (hopefully following another homebirth).

  Breastfeeding hasn’t always been easy but it never crossed my mind to use formula. My children will be able to enjoy breastfeeding until they are ready to stop

• Kate James // May 7, 2008 at 3:08 am

  Hi, I’ve just had a quick look at this sight and think it’s great. I’m an ancient mum (about to turn 40 in June!!) and have now been breastrfeeding my daughter Marlie since April 2007. I have another daughter who will be 10 in June and I managed to breastfeed her for a year. I certainly believe it is a bit easier now than it was when I had Bethany. One od the things that gets me frustrated over time is the lack of choice of nice underwear than ctually fits and makes you feel good rather then just practical. I have ranged fron a 30 G to now a 30 D cup and find the choice awful. I have now found a fantastic new range at reasonable prices and a local independant shop which will measure and fit you and is really supportive. As I’ve not read all this sight I’m not sure if I can promote the shop which is based in Blackburn but I’m really pleased to have found some where local.
  I’m just starting running baby play and sign classes and am very keen to be able to promote and support mums that come along who are breastfeeding - one point made by another baby sign play tutor was that where she lives a number of first time mums that have for various reasons not been able to or have had to give up breastfeeding feel a little bit left out which I hadn’t even thought about and think is a shame as breastfeeding or not all mums need each other for support and maybe those who ahve been unable to etc. may feel really low so I’m going to ansure I try to bear that in mind when ruuning my classes.
  I’ve only been to a drop in supprt group once when I was struggling to express milk (this also was a problem with my first daughter) . The help and advise was OK but I have never managed to express a reasonable quantity in a reasonable time so just have to do it all. As a result of the restrictions this causes eventually I have had to include an powdered milk feed to be given in the evening by dad. Some purists may frown at this and one health visitor did make some negative comments once to me about it however, life isn’t balck and white and it suits me and I personally feel without this solution I would have possibly had to stop a bit earlier.
  My best breastfeeding place has to be Manchester City Football Stadium - we are season ticket holders and it has agreat family stand. However I am still stuck in the middle of a 40,000 plus public area. We have what I call our personal tent - which is a lightweight khaki green umbrella style rain coat(like cyclists wear) perfectly roomy and easy to pack and and light so Marlie doesn’t get too hot. So there I am Marlie wants a feed and we pop it on and I carry on watching the match and Marlie feeds and plays PeekaBoo! No one has ever really commented a few weeks ago one dad who sits near us and is a regular actually did say something funny and nice (can’t rember exactly what).
  I must also say that I have a fanastic clean, and heated changing facilty / toilet at the ground which is very handy at half time to warm up a bit and really is cleaner and better than most other baby facilities I use.

• sarah moon // Apr 27, 2008 at 10:51 pm

  I tried to breastfeed my first baby but couldnt get the hang of it so I didnt bother with my second but I am now successfully breast feeding my third son and have been doing so for 10 months now.
  It does have its downsides but it is the most amazing thing I have ever done and I am gutted I didnt carry it on the first time I tried.
  I have faced a lot of opposition from many people but my husband and close friends support my decision. Im just mad at the fact that quite a lot of people still dissaprove of feeding in public places. Its only feeding a baby when its hungry- as you would a bottle fed baby. This campaign is great for opening peoples eyes.
  Maybe now, when I breastfeed my son in public, I will not recieve the bad comments/ complaints and dirty looks I have had in the past.

• camilla // Apr 22, 2008 at 4:49 pm

  Hiya, im 23. im breastfeeding my 5 month old. ive been planning what to write on here for ages now, as i want to promote breastfeeding. but there is always someone who is going to be offended by what you write.
  i say go 4 it if u are debating it. and find out the reasons why for yourself xxx

• AnnWilliams // Apr 19, 2008 at 1:42 pm

  I’ve been breastfeeding my son for thirteen months and we’re still going strong. It’s been an absolutely wonderful experience for me, worth the initial pain a thousand times over. I will always be incredibly grateful to my fabulous midwife for putting Rhidian on my breast within minutes of being born, and to my best friend Nicola, who stayed with me all night after he’d been born and all the next day, and didn’t go home until she was sure I’d got the hang of it. Support like that is so important during the critical early hours and days of a breastfeeding relationship. We’re reaping the rewards now - he’s an amazingly healthy and energetic little boy and our bond is amazing. To anyone who’s struggling - stick with it and ask for help. Your midwife will be able to put you in touch with a lactation consultant or a breastfeeding support group, and there are La Leche League advisors all over the world - mums just like us. It isn’t always easy, but a little bit of support can make a world of difference.

• Heidi Taylor // Apr 17, 2008 at 10:46 pm

  I understand that not all women can breastfeed and they shouldn’t feel bad if they can’t. I did breastfeed my little girl and it was truly the best experience. I was only a 23 year old trainee teacher and I didn’t know anyone who had breastfeed and it can be a very lonely experience however the speical bond which I developed with my little girl was fantastic. I would recommend it to anyone. x

• Christine // Apr 17, 2008 at 10:31 pm

  I hate this ad. My son is now 15 and I was unable to breast feed him due to his illness and this is still being pushed down my throat that he will now get risks of this and that disease and I’ll cancer and everything. It’s great if you can but don’t forget those who can’t rather than choose not to.

• Hannah Gardner // Apr 15, 2008 at 9:00 pm

  Firstly, what a GREAT website!
  I have been breastfeeding for just under 9 months and wouldn’t change it for the world. Although it is a lot harder than is given credit.

  I think one of the main pluses in the early days is it gives you a chance to relax and put your feet up! I love breastfeeding and think this campaign will hopefully encourage more mums to do so.

  Thanks!

• linzi // Apr 15, 2008 at 7:48 pm

  Glad to see awearness for breastfeeding is being raised. But why havn’t thr government made it against the law for people to stop women feeding in public like they have in Scotland? This would give me more confidence to breastfeed in public. I am a fisrt time mum and my daughter is nearly one. I wanted to breastfeed, but the midwives were not at all helpful or supportive. I struggled for six days in hospital after a caesarean before giving in and using a bottle just so they would let me go home, because being there was pointless as they were too busy to help me. I tried by myself for about four weeks but always ended up giving her a bottle as she just wouldn’t feed from me and i was scared she was starving, so then i gave up struggling. It broke my heart, and i still get upset to this day. One midwife actually told me “some babies just wont breastfeed” and activley encouraged me to give up. I am going to try again on my second baby but i hope its not so difficult next time.

• Jade84 // Apr 15, 2008 at 10:16 am

  My son is almost 7 months old and although breastfeeding was hard work in the beginning, it is now the most fantastic, wonderful and rewarding thing I have ever done in my life…I LOVE BREASTFEEDING! In the first few weeks, I had grazed and cracked nipples, engorged and leaky boobs, and a baby that although seemed to be attached correctly from the outside, felt like my nipples were being ripped off! But, thanks to the support of the midwives from the hospital who came to visit every few days for the first 2 weeks and my beautiful mum who breastfed her 3 babies and kept reassuring me it would get better with every feed, we got there in the end. My advice to others would be to be as educated on breastfeeding as possible…Attend breastfeeding classes whilst pregnant, know the structure of the breast, the composition of the milk, how the milk is produced etc, because the more you understand breastfeeding, the more likely to succeed! There is nothing better than looking into your baby’s sleepy eyes and seeing their milky grin, and knowing you are solely responsible for their growth and health…It is just amazing!

• Lisa // Apr 12, 2008 at 11:53 am

  What a much needed and fantastic campaign. I was adamant that i was going to breastfeed my son, now 5 months from the moment i found out i was pregnant. But i found that there was a definite lack of support at the very beginning, from the midwives in the hospital who just expected me and my son to know what to do, and get on with it. After a 3 week struggle, very very sore nipples and some tears, it took just one person to sit with me and give me the right technique and much needed words of encouragement for everything to click into place. Between us, we’ve come through colic, and many many occurences of pacing whilst feeding to settle him; but i can honestly say it is the most rewarding and wonderful experience. Watching him now, sitting up and on the verge of crawling, i feel only pride for the strong little human being, whose life i have played such a key role in and continue to do so. So, here is a pat on the back for all those mums who choose to breastfeed. It isnt always easy but it is certainly well worth it.

• Lisa // Apr 8, 2008 at 11:10 am

  Congratulations on great campaign ! I fed my daughter for over a year and it’s THE achievement I’m proudest of as she is healthy, smart and strong and unlike pregnancy and birth (natural automatic processes), I chose to do it and did it sometimes against the odds (a Caesarian made it painful and a real effort at first).

  A big big plus of breastfeeding which is often missed is it’s really convenient (no need for bottles, formula, hot water, sterilizing..). I felt really mobile and free. To copy a famous sports brands girls - Just Do It !

• Mary Hodges // Apr 8, 2008 at 9:45 am

  An excellent campaign. (I comment as a gran who breastfed thirty-odd years ago)
  My only reservation would be that it might show breastfeeding as rare and unusual - it is the most natural thing in the world and for most mums a very enjoyable experience.

• Mandy Crossley // Apr 3, 2008 at 12:37 pm

  I too can say that I have shared the wonderful experience of breastfeeding my 2 children. Although with my first not 100% a pleasant experience, leaking milk, rock hard boobs and the reactions from my fellow humans, usually women, I am proud to say that I perserved. She fed as the last bed time cuddle until she was 16 months old and this did in some way take away the pain of having to return to work some months earlier. With my second child I felt more confident, no longer did I have the feeling that I was teaching my child to ride a big when I could not ride one myself!!!
  I would urge all pregnant women to give it a go, you’ll never know if you don’t try.

• Bev Read // Apr 2, 2008 at 10:53 pm

  What a great campaign. We need something like this on a nationwide level to raise the awareness needed to cut through the all the negative attitudes towards breastfeeding. Breastfeeding mamas should be proud of themselves for doing what feels right for their babies and should never be made to feel ashamed for feeding their babies in public. I’ve been bf for just 6 months but plan to continue until my baby wants to give up. I find it ridiculous that as a society we don’t bat an eyelid when we see a two year old with a bottle of milk yet it is generally unacceptable to see the same age child at the breast when the bottle of milk has been created to mimic the real thing. It’s a nonsense!

• laura bell // Mar 22, 2008 at 8:55 pm

  hi i am a 21 year old mum of three! my oldest is almosts 3 then 2 and an 11month old which i am proud to say currently breast feeding i feed my first for 7weeks then my milk went “back” i was furstrated as i didnt no this could happen my 2nd son i feed untill he was 4months and gave up on returning to work but my little girl is still going strong and contracted menningicocil septacimia menningitis when she was just 15weeks old i expressed my milk and she was feed through a tube at a time like that im glad i could physicaly do something it kept me sane and focused and i also beleve aided jessica in her recovery keep up this campaign i have had so many bad comments about how discusting it is to have a child attatched to your breast and how you shouldnt feed in public we need to make it social acceptable and then more people will do it cum on boobies!!!!!!!!!!!!

• Rachel Hill // Mar 22, 2008 at 8:22 pm

  Found this site via a link on mumsnet.com

  I’m six months pregnant and still breastfeeding my 17 month old. Breastfeeding can be tough to start but once you get it right, it can be the most rewarding experience in the world.

• kellie hilton // Mar 19, 2008 at 6:50 pm

  hi, the strangest place i have breastfed is at blackburn rovers when i took my son thomas when he was 7 weeks old. i got a few strange looks and had to check match of the day that evening just in case they showed me feeding. hes 13months old now and is so healthy and happy!!!

• Clare Root-Colne // Mar 17, 2008 at 1:55 pm

  I have just accessed the site following an article in the local newspaper - the “Be a star” campaign is an excellant idea and , I`m sure , will reach out to mums of all ages / walks of life!!
  I am an older mum ( nearly 40!) of a gorgeous 16 month old boy who I continue to breastfeed. I am lucky in that I found the whole experience relatively easy and so convenient!!! I returned to work ( part time ) when my son was 5 months old and continued to breastfeed via expressing. My son has thrived and I am convinced breastfeeding has played a large part in that. He has had relatively few bouts of illness and the only “fly in the ointment” has been the sleep ( or lack of it!) factor as my son still awakens every 2-3 hours demanding milk! I am intending to stop feeding in the next few weeks and will definitely miss the extra cuddles and closeness that I feel breastfeeding has brought myself and my son. My family have been incredibly supportive and I have breasfed in some weird and wonderful places!!

• Natalie White // Mar 13, 2008 at 11:47 am

  I have just stopped breastfeeding my 18 month old and it broke my heart when he no longer wanted to breastfeed. I felt rejected but still loved, it such a strange feeling when they no longer need that quality time with mum. I find no though that he still nussels in to my chest when he is upset or very tired.

• Shamim Khan // Mar 12, 2008 at 6:26 pm

  What can I say, words fail me! This campaign is suave, modern and hip! I saw the posters up on the weekend at the mall in Preston and dragged everyone in my family to savour a true piece of Art. Its fantastic and will appeal to all stratas of society.

• Paulette Merrin // Mar 11, 2008 at 8:53 pm

  Hi, I breastfed my first children (twins) for around 6 weeks exclusively and then mixed up to around 3 months, whilst it was an enjoyable experience it was hard work. Then in 2005 I had my 2nd baby, he was and still is a joy, he latched on beautifully at birth and continued to feed until he was 20 months when he decided that ‘booby gone’ and that was that, it broke my heart but I am so proud of myself for persevering even when he was ‘failing to thrive’ - we had alarm calls every 2 hrs for dream feeds and he soon picked up.

• thehub // Mar 11, 2008 at 10:08 am

  Hi all
  thank you so much for your invaluable comments about your breastfeeding experiences.

  We hope you find the blog and the campaign helpful and motivational.

  The messages have been developed following several focus group sessions and our aim has been to involve mum’s and their partners, friends and families.

  The use of a male voice in the radio advertising has been key to involving dads and grandfathers in the campaign as they are an incredibly important support group for breastfeeding mums.

• Kayley Almond // Mar 10, 2008 at 12:54 pm

  I breastfed my daughter Isabella till she was 2, I encountered most of the common problems along the way such as cracked nipples (ouch!) mastitis and thrush. Even though during the hard times I could quite easily have given up I always knew how much Isabella and myself enjoyed it when she was feeding, I always got the best cuddles off her! My family was very supportive towards me breastfeeding Isabella as she got older the odd comment would come out that she was getting to old, but I would just recite a handful of facts to them about the bonus’s for Bella and myself and they soon came to accept it.
  I think the new be a star scheme is a fantastic idea, I was always a bit wary of attending my local breastfeeding support group, Little Angels, when Bella was a few weeks old as I had all these steroetypical ideas in my head of what I would walk into and i was only 22 at the time. But when I did go it was full of normal mum’s that just wanted to do the best for their children.
  I am now expecting my second child and intend to feed it for as long as I possibly can!

• Rachel, Blackpool // Mar 9, 2008 at 7:48 pm

  I cant believe what I heard on the radio, at first I thought this must be a joke but no it really was your latest campaign to promote breast feeding! I was lost for words. I breast fed both my children and am pro breast feeding but also believe that women have a right to choose. The radio ad made me feel that people had the right to ‘watch and comment’ on women breast feeding and should almost break out in applause, when not all of us are that at ease with feeding in public (again it didn’t bother me but I am aware that some people prefer privacy), the tone was patronizing, the content of the script very one sided and the best part of all the voice over was done by a man - who clearly has never experienced ‘latching on’!
  Any woman has the right to choose - my advice is be open minded. Try breast feeding and if it works great if it doesn’t you know you tried. I went into it with the attitude of I’ll give it a go, and if I am completely honest I am lazy so milk on tap all the time, especially in the middle of the night, and no sterilizing was a big draw plus the fact that it burns calories, helping me get my figure back and it’s free. However, I was the only one that could feed my son as I struggled to express milk and he didn’t like a bottle for a long time which I felt put a lot of pressure on me. I had cracked nipples, which were incredibly painful and until we got latching on right my toes would curl up. When my daughter arrived I breast fed again, this time I was more prepared but the demands of having a second child made it more difficult and I only managed three months. Having said all this there is something magical about providing food for your child and it does bring an unbelievable closeness with it. I think what we sometimes loose focus on is the importance of a new mum being happy and feeling in control, because a happy, content mum has got to be best for baby. If breast feeding creates that feeling then great if not then go buy a bottle and some formula and let someone else help out too.

• Michelle Atkin // Mar 8, 2008 at 8:56 pm

  Sue = that is a lovely sentiment and you should be very proud.

  I have six children and adding up my breastfeeding years so far equates to 10 years!! I have breastfed now continually for 8.5 years(three different children) and my youngest Jayna (three) shows no sign of giving up her “boo boo”. Its really nice when children can vocalise their experience of breastfeeding and makes for some interesting and amusing conversations!

• Sue Henry // Mar 7, 2008 at 6:21 pm

  Never expected to be breastfeeding my daughter for 5 years - but I want everyone to know this has, and still is, a truely beautiful expereince, of not just giving her nutrition and protection, but sharing love, closeness and extremely special memories.

• Gwen Cooper // Mar 7, 2008 at 4:31 pm

  I breastfed both my children, however the first one proved difficult because the midwives at the hospital where she was born had given her a bottle immediately at birth without consulting me. Eventually my GP advised bottle feeding. However, my second child fed from the breast as if he had been trained before birth. It was a wonderful experience. Sooooooo relaxing equating to an Indian head massage. Really well worth it and so much easier than bottle feeding. I had a share of dissaproval about feeding him in front of male relatives but strangely enough that came from my Mum. Nobody else cared. I only wish I could still have children to go through the experience again. Make sure you tell your midwife if you are going to breasfeed to avoid the mistake they made with me!

• thehub // Mar 6, 2008 at 5:09 pm

  I fed both my children and yet each experience was completely different.

  My first latched on immediately and wouldn’t let go until she pushed me away at 8 months (oh the rejection!), my second took 2 weeks to get established with much coaxing and the use of nipple shields (interesting when out and about having lunch!!) and would still be feeding at 2 if I wanted her to!

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