Friday 24th June, central Leeds.
Breastfeeding mothers will all nurse their infants together in a flashmob, organised by a breastfeeding mother from Sherburn In Elmet.
The mothers want to celebrate National Breastfeeding Awareness Week and call for a more breastfeeding-friendly UK. The flashmobbers also want to highlight our country’s shockingly low breastfeeding rates.
Many women feel inhibited about breastfeeding in public despite the equality act passed in 2010 that protects women, allowing them to breastfeed their baby anywhere regardless of the baby’s age. The sight of a nursing woman is rare in the UK, contributing to the feeling of unease felt by some people when seeing a woman breastfeed in public.
Of the 1,200 women who took part in an online poll run by Mother and Baby magazine and supported by the National Childbirth Trust, 60 per cent felt that the UK frowned on breastfeeding mothers and 65 per cent intended to not breastfeed in public for fear of being stared at. Two thirds maintained that feeding their baby in public had been a stressful experience, and more than half of these had been asked to move out of a restaurant, cafe or coffee shop when they were feeding.
Mother of three and winner of 2003 Celebrity Mum of the Year Award, Melinda Messenger, says: “The law says mums have the right to breastfeed anywhere but they can be put off by uncomfortable looks and embarrassed stares so we need to challenge British reserve and celebrate the act of breastfeeding in public.”
Overall, only 45 per cent of UK babies are exclusively breastfed at one week, 21 per cent at six weeks, 7 per cent at four months and only 3 per cent at five months of age (source: Office for National Statistics). This shows there is something seriously wrong with the breastfeeding culture in the UK. The World Health Organisation (WHO) and the NHS both recommend exclusive breastfeeding until six months of age. WHO also recommends breastfeeding alongside other foods for at least two years.
The flashmob is an independent group of nursing mothers who hope to achieve the following through this mass nurse-in event:
• Encourage mothers to feel confident when they breastfeed in public.
• Help those who do not feel comfortable around nursing mothers to feel more at ease.
• Call for a more open- and healthy-minded attitude to breastfeeding for future generations.
• Remind people of the breast’s primary purpose, a natural part of our existence.
• Get breasts in the media for the right reason.
The originator and main organiser of the flashmob, Sharon Spink, says “I was shocked and angered that Government funding had been cut for Breastfeeding Awareness Week and felt compelled to do something to make more people aware of the benefits of breastfeeding. The UK has the second lowest breastfeeding rates out of 36 European countries and I find this appalling. If we can encourage even just one more mum to breastfeed then it will be worth it. Unfortunately, society has a very prudish attitude to breastfeeding and yet it should be seen as normal. We are holding this event to show Leeds that we are normal and that breasts are first and foremost designed to feed our children.”
Sharon recruited the breastfeeding mothers through Facebook and by posting on various parenting and pro-breastfeeding websites.
Some of the mums in the flashmob have been made to feel acutely embarrassed by ill-judged comments from staff in hospitals, famous high street stores and coffee shops.
Media enquires to:
Sharon Spink – Flashmob Main Organiser boobyandthebeads@talktalk.net
Additional Information:
WHO Breastfeeding Facts and Statistics http://www.who.int/topics/breastfeeding/en/
The Office for National Statistics performs its Infant Feeding Survey every five years. The figures from the 2005 survey were published in March 2008. http://www.ic.nhs.uk/statistics-and-data-collections/health-and-lifestyles-related-surveys/infant-feeding-survey/infant-feeding-survey-2005
Mother and Baby survey, carried out in conjunction with NCT. http://nctwatch.wordpress.com/2009/07/24/mother-and-baby-survey-reveals-mothers-worries-about-breastfeeding-in-public/
NCT Document summary: Key Baby Feeding Statistics from the 2005 UK Infant Feeding survey. http://www.nct.org.uk/sites/default/files/related_documents/DS14%20Infant%20Feeding%20Survey%202005%20Key%20Statistics%20%5BUK%5D.pdf
National Breastfeeding Week Info for 2011: http://www.lactivist.net/?p=2768
Monday, 20 June 2011
Thursday, 9 June 2011
Support Habiba. IMMF Give Her Baby Back
Spanish government authorities removed 15 month old nursling from mother's care due to her refusal to wean her child by force
Nine days ago, on May 31st, a Morrocan mother known as Habiba had her child taken away from her without her consent, allegedly because she breastfed her child on demand. Due to her dire financial situation, Habiba had been living with her 15 month old daughter in a women's shelter in Madrid (Instituto Madrileño del Menor y la Familia- IMMF-, which roughly translates to Madrid's Family and Children's Institute).
In later declarations and radio interviews, Nacho de la Mata, her lawyer, informed the media that Habiba had left her child at the facility's daycare center as usual, and that the child was taken away immediately from there. She was then notified that she could no longer live at the shelter, for this facility only took on the care of mothers and she no longer had a child.
Fundación Raíces, a humanitarian organization, immediately took on Habiba's care, providing psychiatric evaluations, performed by well know birth rights activist and author Dr. Ibone Olza, along with legal services, healthcare and financial aid.
According to anonymous information released in the press, supposedly coming from the IMMF, Habiba's child was taken away from her due to her failure to comply to the center's "Psychotherapy and Maternal Habilities Program", allegedly because she was "a violent person", although there are no records of this alleged violence.
Dr. Olza, the psychiatrist who evaluated Habiba, as well as a psychologist, whose name has not yet been released coincide in their impressions on Habiba:
"I'm under the impression that [Habiba] is a sensible and loving mother, with a healthy attachment to her child."
"It is obvious that this separation is highly stressful for the nursling and I can easily predict oncoming symptoms of psychic distress if the physical and emotional bond with her mother is not immediately restored"
"Based on Habiba's thorough psychiatric evaluation I have reached the conclusion that this woman does not suffer from psychiatric disorders nor does she have a drug habit. In my opinion, she is a very capable, loving woman who is now suffering enormously from having been abruptly separated from her child."
"As a child psychiatrist, I know that suddenly separating a fifteen month old child from her mother, transfering her to a government facility with no one the child is familiar with present, causes great damage that could have enduring psychological consequences, if not reunited as soon as possible."Habiba is not only suffering emotionally but also physically. The day Dr. Olza took on her care, she was suffering from engorgement and was on the edge of developing mastitis. Dr. Olza helped Habiba express her milk and took a half liter of breastmilk to the IMMF. After a lot of persuasion, and arguments about how it would be a crime to waste this mothers "liquid gold", the IMMF accepted the milk although that poses no guarantee upon the child ever being fed it, as Breastfeeding is strictly forbidden in all child welfare group homes.
This news appears to contradict the strong support of breastfeeding in Madrid's breastfeeding and parent-child bonding programs for health professionals. Thus the IMMF's attitude on breastfeeding, and their opinion on it, calling it "chaotic and damaging to children" has caused great alarm among mothers everywhere, not only the breastfeeding community. According to declarations in the newspaper, allegedly coming on behalf of the IMMF, the reason for separating mother and child has nothing to do with their breastfeeding relationship, yet after saying that the child was removed from her mother's care "temporarily and the case would be reevaluated", they warned Habiba beforehand that nursing her child during their one hour weekly visit was absolutely forbidden supposedly because "it would be contrary to the child's institutionalization".
On Saturday June 4th, Dr. Olza decided to seek public support for Habiba's case, and started a Facebook Group called Que el IMMF permita que Habiba amamante a su niña YA (IMMF please allow Habiba to breastfeed her child right now). In less than 24 hours, the group grew to over 2000 members, and currently has over 3500 (and continues growing by the minute).
Yesterday, Habiba was allowed to visit her child, for only an hour. After nine days of being apart, they were reunited for only sixty minutes.
Since information on this case became public, other similar cases of women being forced to wean their children upon threats of their custody being taken over by the state have been brought to light. A public petition in Spanish was signed by over 3500 people, and another 5200 have sent personal letters to the IMMF and other Spanish authorities, as well as Save the Children, Amnesty International and other NGOs to express their support for Habiba and request her to be reunited with her child as soon as possible.
This morning, a Spanish newspaper published further declarations by Dr. Olza about Habiba's impression upon meeting her child briefly yesterday:
"My little girl is no longer the child I knew, at first she wouldn't even look at me... she has lost half a kilo, she looks very thin, this is not proper childcare, she had circles under her eyes, she started crying as soon as I picked her up but then she would stop immediately as if she didn't have the physical strength to cry any longer, she didn't seem like my daughter, she looked like a dead child, a doll".Dr. Olza explained to the Spanish authorities that the child's reaction was perfectly predictable under the circumstances:
"She wouldn't look her in the face, she looked at her as though she was a complete stranger, not wanting to go near her, [another possible reaction could have been] the contrary, not wanting to let go of her mother afterwards."
"... it was absolutely predictable that the child wouldn't seem happy upon seeing her mother given the circumstances," which is something that an untrained observer could [but should not] interpret as "the child not loving her mother, or that [Habiba] was not a good parent".
"On the contrary, the fact that she reacted this way is proof that the child has suffered enormously from this deep feeling of abandonment"Not only has the child been traumatically separated from her mother, but there also aren't sufficient caregivers to provide children with the nurturing that they need. After visiting the shelter at which Habiba's baby is being held, Fundación Raíces told the press that during night shifts, there are only two caregivers for 42 children under the age of six.
Minutes ago, Dr. Olza, published the following urgent request, asking all supporters currently residing in Madrid to please protest in front of the IMMF right now:
Less than one hour ago, a representative of the IMMF in charge of Habiba's case has verbally accepted that she sees " her child one hour a week in order for her to maintain their breastfeeding relationship" to which the president of Fundación Raíces has replied that he obviously has absolutely no knowledge whatsoever about breastfeeding. His response was that the IMMF would evaluate the possibility of more generous visitation rights. We ask you all to please go stand and protest in front of the IMMF building right now to request that this institutional abuse upon Habiba is put to an end immediately. The address (in Madrid) is Calle Gran Vía 14. The following is extremely important: please take the picture above printed on paper to use as masks during the protest, Habiba does not wish for her face or anyone else's to be displayed in the media. We will all wear this drawing as masks because We are all Habiba.I'm perfectly aware that this story seems very much like a hoax, but with well know professionals such as María Teresa Hernández, member of the Spanish Pediatrics Academy's Breastfeeding Commitee, award-winning lawyer Nacho de la Mata, well reknown authors and birth activists Isabel Fernández del Castillo and Ibone Olza, among others backing the information and giving their personal impressions on the matter publicly, things seem greatly believable.
If this story has touched your heart, if you wish to help in any way, please share this post. If you have a blog, please re-publish this information, if you know anyone in the press, anywhere in the world who could help in any way, please do contact them.
If you know some Spanish and would like to read further about Habiba, please refer to the following articles, with more detailed information:
- Madre lactante separada de su bebé de 15 meses por negarse a destetarla injustificadamente ¡Hagamos algo!
- Habiba, aún separada de su bebé. Esto es lo que podemos hacer por ayudar
- Todas somos Habiba
- Que el IMMF devuelva a Habiba su niña ¡ya!
- Habiba ha visto a su hija una hora, ¡tan solo UNA hora!
Please sign the public petition in Spanish, or in English (rough translation).
Thank you!
Many thanks to Annie, from PHD in Parenting for her help.
Image credits, Louma Sader Bujana, AmorMaternal.com
Sunday, 8 May 2011
Friday, 8 April 2011
Why Are Children So Cruel?
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| Photo c/o Clipart |
Why are children so cruel? A simple word or gesture can be so hurtful to another child. This may well be done without the culprit even realising but sometimes said on purpose.
Maybe they haven’t thought through their words or actions enough to realise the consequences or just can’t even see it from the other child’s point of view but that doesn’t make it right. These actions can then be made worse when the parents don’t react to the action or word and explain to the child why what they did/said was wrong or hurtful. I would like to think most parents would get their child to apologise if they had seen/heard what went on but so often children say or do things when there isn’t an adult around. Are they bullies or just don’t have the ability of empathy?
So as parents what can we do if our child is on the receiving end of these incidents – comfort them, obviously but how much further do we take it? Would you speak to the other child involved, their parents/teacher? Explain to the other child how horrid they are being? Accuse them of being a bully?
Where does it end? Will these children go one to be cruel adults or will they hopefully learn that you can’t say/do unkind things without consequence? How can we help them as adults?
Friday, 25 March 2011
My Baby Is Having A Baby
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| Son & Daughter 21 Years Ago |
Waking up this morning to find a text from my eldest daughter was a bit odd but with the school rush etc I didn’t have a chance to ring her back. It wasn’t until about 10am I had the chance to sit down and ring her. What I wasn’t expecting was what she said – “hello grandma”. What? Did I hear her right? I’m going to be a grandma? Yes, I had. She told me she had done the test and it came up 3-4 weeks pregnant. Now if it had been me and I was in her situation I don’t think I’d have been so eager to tell everyone so quick. She has been seeing her boyfriend for a lengthy 4 weeks, neither of them have a job - in fact her boyfriend is only 17 and still at school until the summer when he turns 18. He is still living at home with his mum & daughter is spending most of her time there too after she moved back to her dad’s despite the house being up for sale. To say I was in a state of shock is an understatement. I admit to having a bit of a cry.
[Section removed]
So yes I’ve come round to the idea but I’m still not looking forward to telling my parents. It’s almost as bad as when I had to tell them I was pregnant 23 years ago when I was just 19.
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| Daughter with her little sister |
Tuesday, 15 March 2011
A 21st Interpretation
Well it’s been far too long since I updated my blog so seeing as we had a very hectic weekend I thought it only too right to update you all on our two main events of the weekend.
So it started with hubby taking the kids out for the morning so I could get on with preparing the food for Sat night. It was my oldest daughter’s 21st birthday and yes we were having a party! She’d told me that there were about 35 coming so on went the oven and timings were worked out (these later went out of the window). By 6 o’clock the food was ready and I was just about ready, kids were dressed and yes of course we were late. Quick text to say we were setting off soon and just last few bits to sort. Food was packed carefully in the car and off we went. I had to keep reminding hubby that there was food in the boot as he went over bumps and round the corners. “Oh yeah I forgot” was all I kept getting.
Arrived at the pub to find my parents and daughter there with her latest boyfriend. Set up the food, still running late. Her dad and his girlfriend arrived and just plonked the cakes on the floor for us to set up – grrrr, men!
We all sat around for about an hour and realised that the only other people coming were some of her dad’s family. So yeah that’s right none of her “friends” that she’d invited could be bothered to come and help her celebrate, no text, phone calls or nothing. Despite this we had a good time and yes we did all the silly dances, much to the amusement of the others. We left my daughter dancing the night away because we were going to the Royal Armouries the next day and the littlies were falling asleep.
So onto Sun and the day of the Interpretation Department’s big send off at the Royal Armouries.
If you don’t know the Interpretation Dept is being disbanded very quietly on 31st March after 15years of showing us their fantastic skills at bringing history to life. Well they’re going as quietly as several men and a woman can in armour with swords, poll axes and loud voices. It is such a shame as they do a fantastic job and make history interesting and real for children and adults alike.
Well there were 14 performances on Sunday, there’s normally only about 4-6, and so you can see how much extra work was involved. Our dilemma – which ones to go and see?
I know one of the men in the team so I wanted to finally see him in action after only chatting to him on facebook occasionally because we were at school together. Due an injury though he wouldn’t be doing any fighting but I certainly wasn’t disappointed in his 2 performances as Britain’s most brutal executioner, Jack Ketch and then as British Prime Minister William Pitt the Younger.
My two nephews were with us too so it had to be the battles as the other choices – the two-handed sword combat, “The Soul of the Samurai” and the poll axe combat. Again, excellent performances from all involved.
It is such a shame that such an important part of the Armouries is going to vanish and I really don’t think the management have thought about the long-term effect this loss will have on the museum. As my friend said – it is not an interactive museum but the interpretation team certainly make it interactive. We can only hope that the management realise the error of their ways and bring back this fantastic team of people.So if you find yourself in Leeds, before 31st March, wondering what to do, then please take a trip down to the Armouries and see the last few interpretations before it’s too late and I’m sure you won’t be disappointed.
Monday, 28 February 2011
I've Got A New Hat
Well I’ve finally had my breastfeeding peer support worker induction and have found out just how careful I have to be and how restricted I am about what information I can give out. Basically I am not allowed to mention North Yorkshire County Council unless I’m at one of their centres or sessions i.e. a Baby Café. This is to make sure myself, my family and any families I come into contact with are not put at any risk, which is a good thing. So therefore anything I say on here or anywhere else online will be my personal opinion but with the knowledge that I have had some additional training.
I’m really looking forward to be able to help as many mums as possible with breastfeeding either at the children’s centres or anywhere else. It just means that if I’m not at a NYCC session then I will have my “well informed mum” hat on rather than my “NYCC Peer Support Volunteer” hat on. Maybe this is a loophole in the system but if it means I can help more mums then great – that’s what I want to be able to do but I also want to do it safely without putting anyone in a risky situation.
I’m currently doing the Association of Breastfeeding Mothers’ Mother’s Support Module and so should be able to work under that hat easier and hopefully next year I will start the AMB’s Breastfeeding Counsellor training. This will take 2 years but hopefully this will mean I won’t be as restricted about how I can help other mums to breastfeed & in some cases stop breastfeeding because I’m certainly not against any mum that chooses not to breastfeed. I just want to give mums informed choices and support in their decisions.
So if you need any help with breastfeeding then please remember I’m a well informed mum unless you see me at Sherburn In Elmet Children’s Centre or Selby Breastfeeding Café. Both of which are great places to get support.
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