" "The whole story is one which really starts at preconception," Professor Jeffery explained.
"The message has to be that they have to be close to a healthy weight when they go into pregnancy, they have to control their diets when they are pregnant, then they need to be encouraged and supported with breastfeeding once their baby is born. "
Reading this I noted the language. I didn't gain weight while pregnant, as I could hardly eat at all, and certainly couldn't keep a healthy diet
. So yes, reading this sort of stuff, about maternal diet, yes, it certainly does make me feel bad. It makes me feel guilty.But reading it again, I got angry. Why is it ok to make mothers feel guilty over their weight when they get pregnant, or their diet while pregnant? But breastfeeding is some sort of holy cow, no "have to" here, just a gentle encouragement
! Why can't they just state facts. After all, nobody has to do anything at all. All they needed to do was say that a healthy weight prior to pregnancy, a healthy diet while pregnant, and breastfeeding once baby is born will improve baby's chances of not becoming obese.
As it is I am glad they mentioned breastfeeding's impact at all (although it certainly doesn't make it sound like it is as important as the other reasons).
