<p>A new three-paper series published in The Lancet has called for a clampdown on the formula milk industry’s marketing tactics, calling them "exploitative". The paper says that misleading claims and political interference need to be tackled on an urgent basis as these seriously jeopardise the health and rights of women and children.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“This new research highlights the vast economic and political power of the big formula milk companies, as well as serious public policy failures that prevent millions of women from breastfeeding their children,” said Professor Nigel Rollins, Scientist at WHO and author of a paper on formula milk marketing.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“Actions are needed across different areas of society to better support mothers to breastfeed for as long as they want, alongside efforts to tackle exploitative formula milk marketing once and for all.”</p>

<p>Dairy and formula milk industries are pushing their agendas through misleading marketing claims and strategic lobbying, further creating a sense of anxiety around breastfeeding and infant care, the papers say.</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/world-breastfeeding-week-2022-step-up-for-breastfeeding-to-educate-and-support-502344">World Breastfeeding Week 2022: ‘Breastfeeding keeps kids healthy, prevents breast cancer’</a></p>

<p>The first paper talks about how misleading marketing claims prey on parental anxieties around normal infant behaviours. These companies try to push the theory that commercial milk products help with issues like fussiness or crying, help with colic, and prolong night-time sleep. The authors stress that with proper support, such parental concerns can be managed successfully with exclusive breastfeeding.</p>

<p>“The formula milk industry uses poor science to suggest, with little supporting evidence, that their products are solutions to common infant health and developmental challenges,” says Professor Linda Richter from the University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa. “This marketing technique clearly violates the 1981 Code, which says labels should not idealise the use of formula to sell more product.”</p>

<p>The papers further say that formula milk marketing exploits the lack of support for breastfeeding by governments and society and misuses gender politics to sell its products.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Breast milk is packed with several nutritional benefits for babies and young children. Breastmilk helps children survive and develop to their full potential, reduces the risk of infections and lowers rates of obesity and chronic diseases in later life.&nbsp;</p>

<p>But, according to World Health Organization (WHO), globally, only around one in two newborns are put to the breast within the first hour of life. Further, fewer than half of infants under six months are exclusively breastfed, contrary to WHO recommendations.</p>

<p>The Lancet series underlines greater support for breastfeeding within healthcare and social protection systems. It says that new mothers should be given sufficient paid maternity leave to help support their breastfeeding journey.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A whopping 650 million women currently lack adequate maternity protections, the papers say.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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A new three-paper series published in The Lancet has called for a clampdown on the formula milk industry’s marketing tactics, calling them "exploitative". The paper says that misleading claims and political interference need to be tackled on an urgent basis as these seriously jeopardise the health and rights of women and children.

A new three-paper series published in The Lancet has called for a clampdown on the formula milk industry’s marketing tactics, calling them "exploitative". The paper says that misleading claims and political interference need to be tackled on an urgent basis as these seriously jeopardise the health and rights of women and children. “This new research highlights the vast economic and political power of the big formula milk companies, as well as serious public policy failures that prevent millions of women from breastfeeding their children,” said Professor Nigel Rollins, Scientist at WHO and author of a paper on formula milk marketing. “Actions are needed across different areas of society to better support mothers to breastfeed for as long as they want, alongside efforts to tackle exploitative formula milk marketing once and for all.” Dairy and formula milk industries are pushing their agendas through misleading marketing claims and strategic lobbying, further creating a sense of anxiety around breastfeeding and infant care, the papers say. Also Read | World Breastfeeding Week 2022: ‘Breastfeeding keeps kids healthy, prevents breast cancer’ The first paper talks about how misleading marketing claims prey on parental anxieties around normal infant behaviours. These companies try to push the theory that commercial milk products help with issues like fussiness or crying, help with colic, and prolong night-time sleep. The authors stress that with proper support, such parental concerns can be managed successfully with exclusive breastfeeding. “The formula milk industry uses poor science to suggest, with little supporting evidence, that their products are solutions to common infant health and developmental challenges,” says Professor Linda Richter from the University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa. “This marketing technique clearly violates the 1981 Code, which says labels should not idealise the use of formula to sell more product.” The papers further say that formula milk marketing exploits the lack of support for breastfeeding by governments and society and misuses gender politics to sell its products. Breast milk is packed with several nutritional benefits for babies and young children. Breastmilk helps children survive and develop to their full potential, reduces the risk of infections and lowers rates of obesity and chronic diseases in later life. But, according to World Health Organization (WHO), globally, only around one in two newborns are put to the breast within the first hour of life. Further, fewer than half of infants under six months are exclusively breastfed, contrary to WHO recommendations. The Lancet series underlines greater support for breastfeeding within healthcare and social protection systems. It says that new mothers should be given sufficient paid maternity leave to help support their breastfeeding journey. A whopping 650 million women currently lack adequate maternity protections, the papers say. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

New study calls for crackdown on 'exploitative' baby formula marketing

<p>The National Health Service (NHS) of the UK has advised lactating mothers to not get vaccinated against the novel coronavirus till they stop breastfeeding.</p>

<p>This caution by the NHS has received criticism from several Women's rights and breastfeeding organisatons. Many believe this warning has been provided without any proof and forces women to choose between the health of their baby and their own wellbeing.</p>

<p><strong>Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-variant-of-coronavirus-was-out-of-control-in-uk-lockdown-can-be-extended-health-secretary-351194" hreflang="en">New variant of coronavirus was 'out of control' in UK: Health Secretary</a></strong></p>

<p>NHS, till now, has not been able to provide any evidence about the COVID-19 vaccine being unsafe for new mothers. "There’s no evidence it’s unsafe if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding. But more evidence is needed before you can be offered the vaccine," NHS claims.</p>

<p>However, the NHS website also adds that the warning is just a precaution. "precautionary until additional evidence is available to support the use of this vaccine in pregnancy and breastfeeding," the website reads.</p>

<p><strong>Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-coronavirus-strain-who-appeals-for-strong-action-for-containment-in-europe-351217">New coronavirus strain: WHO calls for strong action for containment in Europe</a></strong></p>

<p>As per the data reported by local media, nearly 46 per cent mothers in the UK were breastfeeding their babies — aged between 6-8 weeks — during 2018-2019.</p>

<p>This warning, if passed, as a rule, can affect hundreds of thousands of mothers across the country, including tens of thousands of frontline workers who nurse patients and their kids together.</p>

<p>Experts believe that while the NHS is simply trying to be cautious, more research should have been carried out on this before scaring the general public, and creating an atmosphere of panic.</p>

<p><strong>Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/european-countries-mull-ban-on-flights-from-uk-over-new-coronavirus-variant-351191" hreflang="en">European countries mull ban on flights from UK over new coronavirus variant</a></strong></p>

<p>The UK governments website urges pregnant women, too, to avoid getting vaccinated. "If you are pregnant you should not be vaccinated – you can be vaccinated after your pregnancy is over," the website reads.</p>

<p>"If you think you may be pregnant you should delay vaccination until you are sure you are not," it continued. The government has also advised women to delay getting the vaccine if they are planning a baby in the next three months, and also if they became pregnant after the first pregnancy.</p>


The National Health Service (NHS) of the UK has advised lactating mothers to not get vaccinated against the novel coronavirus till they stop breastfeeding. This caution by the NHS has received criticism from several Women's rights and breastfeeding organisatons.

The National Health Service (NHS) of the UK has advised lactating mothers to not get vaccinated against the novel coronavirus till they stop breastfeeding. This caution by the NHS has received criticism from several Women's rights and breastfeeding organisatons. Many believe this warning has been provided without any proof and forces women to choose between the health of their baby and their own wellbeing. Also read| New variant of coronavirus was 'out of control' in UK: Health Secretary NHS, till now, has not been able to provide any evidence about the COVID-19 vaccine being unsafe for new mothers. "There’s no evidence it’s unsafe if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding. But more evidence is needed before you can be offered the vaccine," NHS claims. However, the NHS website also adds that the warning is just a precaution. "precautionary until additional evidence is available to support the use of this vaccine in pregnancy and breastfeeding," the website reads. Also read| New coronavirus strain: WHO calls for strong action for containment in Europe As per the data reported by local media, nearly 46 per cent mothers in the UK were breastfeeding their babies — aged between 6-8 weeks — during 2018-2019. This warning, if passed, as a rule, can affect hundreds of thousands of mothers across the country, including tens of thousands of frontline workers who nurse patients and their kids together. Experts believe that while the NHS is simply trying to be cautious, more research should have been carried out on this before scaring the general public, and creating an atmosphere of panic. Also read| European countries mull ban on flights from UK over new coronavirus variant The UK governments website urges pregnant women, too, to avoid getting vaccinated. "If you are pregnant you should not be vaccinated – you can be vaccinated after your pregnancy is over," the website reads. "If you think you may be pregnant you should delay vaccination until you are sure you are not," it continued. The government has also advised women to delay getting the vaccine if they are planning a baby in the next three months, and also if they became pregnant after the first pregnancy.

Can mothers get COVID-19 vaccine while breastfeeding? UK suggests this

<p>Model, poet, writer Gilu Joseph is making headlines for posing on the cover of a fortnightly Malayalam magazine, Grihalakshmi. The 27-year-old artist who hails from Kerala&#39;s Kumily town of Idukki district is seen on the cover breastfeeding her child.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In an interview with IE Malayalam, Joseph notes that she was not reluctant in picking up the project and featuring on the cover of the magazine. Joseph identifies motherhood as a beautiful feeling that lets a woman celebrate and enjoy a wonderful bond with her offspring. Breastfeeding is often identified as an act of nurturing which comforts the child and strengthens the bond between a mother and her child.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Gilu proudly exclaims her right over her body and that showcasing the beautiful, nurturing act of breastfeeding -- which is otherwise often sexualised -- gives her immense joy and satisfaction.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In a first, the magazine doles out a strong messaging that reads, &quot;Do not stare at us while we breastfeed&quot;.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In many ways, the magazine&#39;s edition and Gilu&#39;s appearance is beyond historical. Not only does it shake the patriarchal bedrock that refuses to budge over the centuries, it also aims to make women embrace and be proud of their bodies and shatter taboos. Joseph, a practising Christian, appears as a Hindu mother on the cover, another attempt at blurring the societal divides.&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Translation - &quot;Do not stare at us while we are breastfeeding&quot;<br />
<br />
Really glad to see Grihalakshmi a leading magazine is breaking the Society norms without sexualizing it<br />
<br />
I love the way Gilu Joseph (Model) stares at the reader straight in to your eyes. The message is a bang on! <a href="https://t.co/SFYvNgDQrS">pic.twitter.com/SFYvNgDQrS</a></p>
&mdash; The Great Dictator.! (@tittoantony) <a href="https://twitter.com/tittoantony/status/968805785185800192?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 28, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
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<p>Meanwhile, as India takes baby steps at realising women&#39;s right to breastfeed fearlessly, without facing any stigma, Australia also had its first similar incident last year -- only that the woman here breastfed her child in a parliament full of MPs and not just on a magazine cover.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Last year, an Australian MP shook the world when she addressed the Parliament while breastfeeding her baby. The incident marked the first for the island country as well where Larissa Waters, a Greens MP, addressed the chamber while feeding 14-week-old &nbsp;baby girl.&nbsp;</p>

<p>While Twitter gave mixed reactions to Gilu Joseph&#39;s bold avataar, most lauded her attempt of trying to normalise a &quot;natural phenomenon&quot; in a society that often sexualises the act.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Malayalam magazine Grihalakshmi, from <a href="https://twitter.com/mathrubhumieng?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@mathrubhumieng</a>, has this new cover. It says, &quot;Mothers tell Kerala, &quot;please don&#39;t stare, we need to breastfeed&quot;&quot;.<br />
<br />
WOW. Unusually bold. <a href="https://t.co/Nwz6nAF0Fk">pic.twitter.com/Nwz6nAF0Fk</a></p>
&mdash; Vivek S Nambiar (@ivivek_nambiar) <a href="https://twitter.com/ivivek_nambiar/status/968744180087390208?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 28, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Hats off Gilu Joseph|Gilu Joseph mam.<br />
for being part of this great initiative|respect.???? <a href="https://t.co/Tma8LTZl6O">https://t.co/Tma8LTZl6O</a></p>
&mdash; Emil Mathew (@emilmathewjohn) <a href="https://twitter.com/emilmathewjohn/status/968576922887143424?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 27, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Hats off <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GiluJoseph?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GiluJoseph</a> and all others behind this campaign. <a href="https://t.co/RBJPNbh7MA">https://t.co/RBJPNbh7MA</a></p>
&mdash; Anish Antony M (@AnishAntony_M) <a href="https://twitter.com/AnishAntony_M/status/968741654806106113?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 28, 2018</a></blockquote>
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In a first, the magazine doles out a strong message that reads, 'Do not stare at us while we breastfeed'

Model, poet, writer Gilu Joseph is making headlines for posing on the cover of a fortnightly Malayalam magazine, Grihalakshmi. The 27-year-old artist who hails from Kerala's Kumily town of Idukki district is seen on the cover breastfeeding her child. In an interview with IE Malayalam, Joseph notes that she was not reluctant in picking up the project and featuring on the cover of the magazine. Joseph identifies motherhood as a beautiful feeling that lets a woman celebrate and enjoy a wonderful bond with her offspring. Breastfeeding is often identified as an act of nurturing which comforts the child and strengthens the bond between a mother and her child. Gilu proudly exclaims her right over her body and that showcasing the beautiful, nurturing act of breastfeeding -- which is otherwise often sexualised -- gives her immense joy and satisfaction. In a first, the magazine doles out a strong messaging that reads, "Do not stare at us while we breastfeed". In many ways, the magazine's edition and Gilu's appearance is beyond historical. Not only does it shake the patriarchal bedrock that refuses to budge over the centuries, it also aims to make women embrace and be proud of their bodies and shatter taboos. Joseph, a practising Christian, appears as a Hindu mother on the cover, another attempt at blurring the societal divides. Translation - "Do not stare at us while we are breastfeeding" Really glad to see Grihalakshmi a leading magazine is breaking the Society norms without sexualizing it I love the way Gilu Joseph (Model) stares at the reader straight in to your eyes. The message is a bang on! pic.twitter.com/SFYvNgDQrS — The Great Dictator.! (@tittoantony) February 28, 2018 × Meanwhile, as India takes baby steps at realising women's right to breastfeed fearlessly, without facing any stigma, Australia also had its first similar incident last year -- only that the woman here breastfed her child in a parliament full of MPs and not just on a magazine cover. Last year, an Australian MP shook the world when she addressed the Parliament while breastfeeding her baby. The incident marked the first for the island country as well where Larissa Waters, a Greens MP, addressed the chamber while feeding 14-week-old baby girl. While Twitter gave mixed reactions to Gilu Joseph's bold avataar, most lauded her attempt of trying to normalise a "natural phenomenon" in a society that often sexualises the act. Malayalam magazine Grihalakshmi, from @mathrubhumieng, has this new cover. It says, "Mothers tell Kerala, "please don't stare, we need to breastfeed"". WOW. Unusually bold. pic.twitter.com/Nwz6nAF0Fk — Vivek S Nambiar (@ivivek_nambiar) February 28, 2018 × Hats off Gilu Joseph|Gilu Joseph mam. for being part of this great initiative|respect.???? https://t.co/Tma8LTZl6O — Emil Mathew (@emilmathewjohn) February 27, 2018 × Hats off #GiluJoseph and all others behind this campaign. https://t.co/RBJPNbh7MA — Anish Antony M (@AnishAntony_M) February 28, 2018 ×

Kerala model breastfeeds on local magazine cover, gets praised on Twitter

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