“Breast is Best” has been the unofficial slogan for breastfeeding for as long as I can remember. I never really thought much of it, other than the fact that it has always stuck out in my mind. The Breastfeeding Network is wanting to change that. Lesley Backhouse, chair of TBN, wrote to the Department of Health in the UK asking that the use of the slogan be discontinued. Her argument was that we needed to quit treating breastfeeding as something special instead of something normal.
I expected when I read the article to hear about how the campaigners were calling it unfair or something along those lines. It threw me for a loop when I read on to discover that those that were calling to stop using the slogan were breastfeeding advocates. I understand that breastfeeding is normal and that they want to stop a push that may make it seem like only a select few are doing it, or that we’re part of a groovy ty-squad special club. The problem is, what will people say now?
Should we tout “Formula is an avoidable health risk.”? I don’t think that would go over so well, but apparently others think that that’s the type of slogan that should be out there. Lesley also stated:
“What we should be saying – and are intent on getting across – is that formula feeding is an avoidable health risk to babies.”
Unfortunately, the Department of Health‘s slogan isn’t even “Breast is Best”. As a matter of fact, all I can find on their website (which may have been changed between news reports and now) is “Breastfeeding — What could be more natural?”. Regardless of how you say it, the idea is to get the word out that breast milk is an exceptional food for babies and they thrive very well on it. I mean, breast milk isn’t just milk from breasts in this case, it’s human milk for human babies.
No matter what slogan you use or support, someone is going to feel that it’s a “guilt trip” on those that can’t/won’t/don’t breastfeed. Unfortunately, that’s the nature of the beast. There are too many opinions and misinformation in the world to be so cut and dry about it. Breastfeeding is the best scenario for a baby, but it’s not always possible.
We need to get the word out, that breastfeeding is doable in almost all cases (there are some genuine medical reasons that it can not be done or should be stopped) and that a majority of women stop because of bad information from someone they trust with good intentions. In every situation, we should not be playing the guilt card, but it should be a chance to inform women that their bodies are amazing and although it’s can be a tedious road to success, breastfeeding should be given a valiant effort.
In a perfect world, we wouldn’t need a slogan for breastfeeding, everyone would know that breastfeeding has so many benefits that are lacking in formula feeding. Sadly, there are still those out there that don’t even know where to start, or have that bad information. If we have to have a slogan just to start a conversation about breastfeeding I think “Breast is Best” is a fine choice. It’s short, sweet and to the point. It can sound condescending in the wrong context, but it’s a lot nicer than “Formula is an avoidable health risk” and I find you catch more flies with honey.
Our goal as breastfeeding advocates shouldn’t be to guilt or force breastfeeding. It should be to empower women to believe in their bodies, help them overcome their fears and obstacles, and support them in the decisions they make for themselves and their families regardless of what they may be.
An unofficial slogan is just that. Unofficial.
Instead of fighting to stop using a slogan that will probably be used anyway is a waste of time. We should be fighting for better maternity leaves, trained lactation professional care for new mothers, financial assistance for pumps and equipment, making milk bank milk more affordable/accessible for those that medically can not breastfeed, and most importantly helping mothers make the most informed decision they can regarding their families.
We can’t magically change everyone’s minds, but we can help them make up their own with the right information and support. Changing a slogan is not going to change society.
Breastfeeding is normal. Breastfeeding is better than formula in a lot of different ways. Was this always the way of thinking? NO. Has it always been true? YES. Should a slogan be the sole encouragement to breastfeed? NO.
A few words just aren’t enough. But a few words can get the ball rolling.
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Will changing the slogan change the way you feel about breastfeeding? Do you think it will change the minds of society? Does it make breastfeeding seem like something that only the “elite” can accomplish? What do you think would be a better slogan?
