Latest news with #breastfeeding
The Independent
2 days ago
- Health
- The Independent
The top breastfeeding tips for new mothers
World Breastfeeding Week, observed globally from 1-7 August, promotes the health benefits of breastfeeding for both babies and mothers. New mothers are encouraged to focus on what works for them and their baby, rather than adhering to external expectations or societal pressures. Seeking support is crucial if breastfeeding becomes physically or mentally challenging, or painful, as pain often indicates an issue with the baby's latch. Preparing in advance with essential items such as nipple cream and breast pads can help ease the initial stages of breastfeeding. Professional guidance from midwives or breastfeeding consultants can significantly improve the experience and address difficulties.
Telegraph
3 days ago
- Sport
- Telegraph
How breastfeeding mum Stephanie Case won a 100km race
When she was photographed breastfeeding her six-month-old daughter 80 kilometres into an ultra-endurance race while wolfing down some watermelon, little did Stephanie Case know she was about to go viral. The extraordinary image, taken before she was crowned an unexpected winner of the 100km Ultra-Trail Snowdonia two months ago, crystallised the challenges faced by multitasking mums everywhere – but Case thought nothing of it. 'It was quite a normal moment for me,' Case, a Canadian based in Chamonix who has competed in ultra-endurance events for two decades, tells Telegraph Sport. 'Even in 2025, we still have these ideas in our head about what a new mum should look like and what a new mum should be doing. Having this photo of me in the middle of a race, pursuing my passion, stuffing some watermelon into my mouth while also holding my baby, showed me being an athlete and a mum at the same time in a way that wasn't in conflict.' After three years away from the ultra-endurance scene – during which she had two miscarriages and several rounds of IVF – it was Case's first race postpartum. The 42-year-old competes in endurance races as a way to manage the stress from her demanding job as a successful human rights lawyer; Case has worked in the Middle East and her charity, Free to Run, aims to empower young women and girls who live in war zones. Having lost her protected ranking, meaning she had to start 30 minutes after the elite competitors, she had no expectations. But when organisers checked her chip time of 16 hours 53 minutes and 22 seconds, she was declared an unlikely winner of the female event in Eryri National Park by more than four minutes. 'I had to go back and cross the finish line again so that they could put up the tape for me to run through,' laughs Case, who started behind 'hundreds' of runners.
Telegraph
13-07-2025
- Health
- Telegraph
Labour-led council to ban baby formula adverts
A Labour-led council is set to ban baby formula companies from advertising its products on sites it owns. Knowsley council in Merseyside made the move as part of its wider plans to prevent the marketing of what it described as 'health harming' products. Last year, the local authority announced it would restrict adverts for unhealthy food on its sites as part of a strategy to tackle obesity rates. A report commissioned by the council has said baby formula should also be included because it is often marketed in a way that suggests it is a better alternative to breastfeeding, BBC News reported. The Advertising Standards Authority, the UK's advertising regulator, prohibits the marketing of baby formula for children under six months – but companies are able to advertise follow-on milks. This proposed ban would go even further by extending it to all baby formula – not just products for children up to a specific age. The World Health Organisation recommends mothers breastfeed their children for the first six months and continue to do so alongside solid foods until a child is at least two years old as best practice. The council's report said: 'Infant formula is often marketed in such a way it suggests its benefits outweigh breastfeeding or simply using cows' milk after the age of one. 'The marketing and packaging of these products can be misleading and undermines public health messaging for breastfeeding, widening health inequalities particularly for those on lower incomes.' The report also proposed similar restrictions on baby foods – typically sold in pouches – because they too, it claimed, are made out to be healthier alternatives to food prepared at home in raw form. It said the food was 'often less nutritious' than prepared foods at home. More than two-thirds of UK babies are given at least some formula milk within two months of birth, official statistics show. However, prices have surged in recent years due to rapid growth in demand and issues with global supply chains. In February 2024, the Competition and Markets Authority launched an investigation into the baby formula market as it sought to address why prices had risen by 25 per cent in just two years. Demand has risen even more acutely for special types of baby formula – including lactose-free versions – but experts have warned against babies without the particular allergies from consuming the product. Dr Vicky Sibson, head of charity First Steps Nutrition, wrote in a paper published in August 2024 that without a cow's milk allergy, babies who consume lactose-free formulas are more likely to gain too much weight or have tooth decay, as the natural milk sugar lactose is replaced with more unhealthy sugars.
BBC News
13-07-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Why baby formula is in Knowsley Council's sights for advert ban
A council is set to restrict advertising of baby formula and baby foods sold in jars and pouches on sites it Council said the move was part of its plans to prevent the marketing of "health harming or misleading products".A report prepared for the Merseyside council's cabinet on Wednesday said infant formula was often marketed in such a way that it suggests "its benefits outweigh breastfeeding".It comes after the authority announced last year it would restrict adverts for unhealthy food on its sites as part of its strategy to tackle its obesity rates, which according to NHS data is among the highest in England. The World Health Organization and Unicef recommend exclusive breastfeeding until six months as best practice and continued breastfeeding alongside solid foods until a child is at least two years the UK there are restrictions on advertising infant formula for babies under six months but companies are able to advertise follow-on council report proposes to add restrictions on advertising baby formula and baby foods to its Healthier Advertising Policy introduced in January said the move would "align" with the aims of the authority's breastfeeding strategy. The document said: "Infant formula is often marketed in such a way it suggests its benefits outweigh breastfeeding or simply using cows' milk after the age of one.""The marketing and packaging of these products can be misleading and undermines public health messaging for breastfeeding, widening health inequalities particularly for those on lower incomes," it added. The report said baby foods - usually sold in packets, jars or pouches - were also marketed in such a way "they appear to be healthier and better for the child than fresh foods prepared at home or used in raw form". It said the so-called "health halos" such as "organic" or "supports with hand to mouth co-ordination" undermined the use of non-processed foods instead. The report said they were "often less nutritious" than preparing food at home and were advertised as suitable for babies from four months, "directly contravening global health guidance for weaning at six months". A BBC investigation in April found parents had been "misled" by marketing of baby food pouches which were often lacking key response, the Department of Health said there were existing laws to ensure the safety and quality of baby food and it was "committed to tackling the childhood obesity crisis and improving children's health through our Plan for Change".The Knowsley Council report also proposed restricting advertising payday and high interest said they were "damaging to financial wellbeing" and "trapping people into a cycle of unaffordable debt" which "can lead to severe mental health impacts". Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
The Sun
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Ferne McCann cruelly mum-shamed over breastfeeding snap – two years after having second child
FERNE McCann has been cruelly mum-shamed after sharing a snap of herself breastfeeding daughter Finty. The reality star, 34, shared a series of pictures from a recent holiday in Greece - including one of her cradling her two year old while she fed. 4 4 While most people were full of praise for the stunning pictures, lauding her for normalising such a natural thing - others weren't quite so happy. One troll commented: 'And here's the unnecessary breast feeding pic again!' A second warned her: 'Not sure the kid will appreciate that breast feeding photo being oit there when older! Keep it private!!' And a third wrote: 'Most women just get on with it, but she must photograph it for Instagram..... priorities I guess.' Ferne had her daughter Finty with fiancé Lorri Haines in July 2023. She is also mum Sunday, seven, from a previous relationship. During the trip, Ferne opened up about her breastfeeding journey and admitted she struggles to say no. She told fans: 'Finty breastfed on demand whilst we were away. 'I guess for an easier life I just gave it to her. There's so many perks of continuing with breastfeeding past 1 especially whilst we were traveling. 'But now that means she really wants it all the time & I struggle to say no. I haven't tried to stop BF yet. 'I think it will be really difficult when we eventually do end our BF journey.' Ferne McCann cruelly mum-shamed for breastfeeding her two-year-old daughter & others also spot 'massive choking hazard' But this isn't the first time Ferne has been shamed for breastfeeding Finty. Earlier this year, the reality TV star explained: 'Haven't posted about my breastfeeding journey in a while, but I still get a lot of people asking if I'm still doing it. 'In complete honesty, I've been a bit nervous to share about it lately. Even though I'm such a big advocate for breastfeeding, the truth is, I've been afraid of what people might think or say now that Finty is 20 months old. 'I'm sharing this because if you're like me and still feeding, and you're feeling pressure to stop or wondering if it's 'not the norm' to breastfeed past one, I just want you to know…there are plenty of mums still doing it. Keep going, mamma. 'However it looks, do your normal.' 4 What are the recommendations around breastfeeding? The NHS recommends breastfeeding your baby exclusively (feeding them breast milk only) for the first six months, but it's completely up to you to decide when you want to bring it to an end - and there's really no right or wrong way to do it. The NHS says weaning often happens gradually as your baby begins to eat more solid foods. They note that solid food shouldn't replace breast milk, as there is evidence to suggest breast milk helps a baby's digestive system when processing solid food for the first time. "Once they are eating solids, your baby will still need to have breast milk or formula as their main drink up to at least their first birthday," recommends the NHS. "Cows' milk isn't suitable as a main drink for babies under one, although it can be added to foods, such as mashed potatoes." You can also combine breastfeeding with formula, too and the NHS says "phasing out" of breastfeeding is often the easiest way. For example, dropping one feed in the day or at night time. After around a week, you can begin to think about dropping another. "If your baby is younger than one year, you'll need to replace the dropped breastfeed with a formula feed from a bottle or (if they are over six months) a cup or beaker, instead," they say. You can breastfeed for as long as you want, and while the NHS recommends breastfeeding your baby exclusively for the first six months, you shouldn't feel like you cannot continue for longer. The World Health Organization says: "Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended up to 6 months of age, with continued breastfeeding along with appropriate complementary foods up to two years of age or beyond."
