A CAMPAIGN to show images of mothers breastfeeding their babies has been launched in North Yorkshire. Kate Liptrot speaks to Charlotte Southren, a woman on a mission to normalise breastfeeding.

WHILE breastfeeding her daughter in her car outside Tesco in York, Liz Dowson was shocked to look up and see a shopper looking at her with pointed disapproval.

"An elderly woman was parked next to me," Liz, 32, said, "She made a point of looking over and scowling at me. I was in my own car and it was a bit of a shock.

"I'm not ashamed of doing it at all but she looked at me as if I was doing something wrong."

It's an experience shared by her friend Charlotte Southren, 30, (pictured below) who remembers being asked to stop breastfeeding her first child in a York cafe or to leave.

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"It really put me off going out. I got very low and it was such a dark time," the mum-of-three said. "The attitudes didn't help even with friends' support. Why should we have to put up with this? We are women, we are the ones who give birth and it's our human right to feed our hungry babies."

While breastfeeding group Treasure Chest has reassured new mums these cases are in the minority in York, mum-of-three Charlotte, a photographer based in Kirkbymoorside, said she was inspired to launch a successful photographic campaign to normalise breast feeding and challenge any stigma around it.

Along with photographer Abigail Coulton, she is photographing mums breastfeeding their children in relaxed environments, including at home or in cafes. The idea is to then make posters to put in cafes, restaurants, hospitals and shops across Yorkshire to indicate they are breastfeeding friendly.

"Lots of women say they have been shamed in public," Charlotte said, "New mums shouldn't have to worry about going out because they can't feed their children in public.

"People will go in the toilets to feed their kids, it's not on. This makes it easier for women as everyone is already aware it is breastfeeding friendly and know they shouldn't go in there if they're not happy with it."

She has been overwhelmed by the success of the campaign, with 60 mums volunteering to have their pictures taken and over 40 photographers from all over the country offering to take part nationally.

"I've had almost 300 inboxes from women, parenting groups, cafes willing to help, midwives and breastfeeding support workers from hospitals. It's absolutely overwhelming.

"I have had a lot of positive feedback from anyone I have spoken to about it, male and female alike. The response has been amazing."

Katherine Odom, the chair of Treasure Chest Breast Feeding Group, has welcomed the campaign.

She said: "I think it's enormously positive because anything that helps mums feel more comfortable is a really good idea.

"Mums may not be feeling very confident and they may feel raw after birth and they may be worried their chosen way of feeding their babies may be challenged.

"A lot of women in York say they have not had any problems. The negative experiences are often the ones that make news. Sometimes new mums can fear this might happen but fortunately in York it doesn't seem to be too common.

"I do think this campaign is needed because mums can often feel very uncertain. Anything reassuring is a very good idea."

Reflecting on why people may have a negative attitude towards breastfeeding, Katherine said she thought if people did react negatively it may be because bottle feeding was more normal for a number of decades and many people may not realise its impractical for women to stay at home to breastfeed.

She emphasised that women should be aware of the law. The law states they are legally protected and entitled to breast feed in public places.

- For more information about the campaign, visit Breastfeeding Campaign UK on Facebook or email www.lottiesphotography@btinternet.com

 

THERE are numerous examples to have hit the news of breastfeeding women being harassed or asked to stop.

- Recently actress Alyssa Milano was criticised for sharing images of herself breastfeeding on social media by an American television presenter and was subject to an online backlash.

- Last year a local BBC radio DJ Alex Dyke was suspended after claiming on air that breastfeeding is “unnatural” and “has to be stopped”.

- In 2014, new mum Lou Burns, said she felt she could never go back to five-star hotel Claridge’s after being ordered by staff to cover up to avoid “causing offence” to other guests as she began feeding her 12-week-old daughter. Claridge's said it "embraced" breastfeeding but "urged mothers to be discreet."

- In the same year, UKIP's Nigel Farage was criticised after saying it was up to venues to decide their rules and that some people were uncomfortable with "ostentatious" breastfeeding. Businesses may ask mothers to "perhaps sit in a corner", he suggested.

- Emily Slough, a mother from Staffordshire, launched a breastfeeding protest, also in 2014, after being called a "tramp" on Facebook for feeding her baby in public.

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Emily started her campaign after finding a photograph of herself feeding her daughter had been posted online. It was supported across the country, including in York (pictured above).

Benefits of breastfeeding

- According to the NHS, 81 per cent of mothers start breastfeeding.

- Breastfeeding is the healthiest way to feed your baby, NHS guidelines state. Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended for around the first six months of a baby's life. After that, giving your baby breast milk alongside other food will help them continue to grow and develop healthily.

-Breastfed babies have: - less chance of diarrhoea and vomiting and having to go to hospital as a result - fewer chest and ear infections and fewer visits to hospital as a result - less chance of being constipated - less likelihood of becoming obese and therefore developing type 2 diabetes and other obesity-related illnesses later in life - Any amount of breastfeeding has a positive effect. The longer you breastfeed, the longer the protection lasts and the greater the benefits.

- Breastfeeding is good for mums as it: - lowers the risk of getting breast and ovarian cancer - naturally uses up to 500 calories a day - saves money – infant formula, the sterilising equipment and feeding equipment can be costly - can help to build a strong bond between you and your baby