Media must give positive images of breastfeeding

Dear Editor,
One of the reasons, cited in a recent report, for low breastfeeding rates in Ireland (IMT 13.2.’09, www.imt.ie/news/2009/03/coombe_study_reveals_low_breas.html) is mothers’ embarrassment of breastfeeding in public places. Your article mentions the positive role media can play and I agree
I note, however, that articles on breastfeeding carried by IMT are always accompanied by a woman nursing her infant with her breast exposed.

This, of course, would cause embarrassment to the woman and to members of the public. But there are many images of mothers discreetly nursing (see www.lalecheleagueireland.com) with no breast exposed. Images are powerful! GPs and families need information about ways of breastfeeding that are compatible with being out and about if they are to support the WHO recommendation of exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months.
Breastfeeding has long-term physical and psychological health benefits for both mother and baby. I look forward to a variety of images of breastfeeding mums in IMT in the future.
Nollaig Rowan,
Registered Clinical Psychologist PsSI,
16 Cullenswood Gardens, Dublin 6.