One Of Those Women

Wednesday, 15 July 2009

Vera Baird Responds

BAIRD, Vera wrote:

NO

----

Yes, that's the entire reply. But at least we got one!

I sent the following:

---

Thank you. At least we're getting somewhere.

I'm sorry to say, I couldn't see your acknowledgement that I do not support the Bill.

Could you now please explain where in the Bill it explains the recourse available to the mother refusing to leave the premises when asked to do so? This needs to be passed on to mothers who have been asked to leave, so they know what to say if the person in authority states the police will be called if they refuse to leave the premises.

As other reputable sources involved in the Bill being formulated, such as UNICEF UK, has stated that yes, under the law the mother would have to leave, you can understand why it is so pressing to get the details correct from the highest source.

Many thanks

Morgan Gallagher

Sunday, 12 July 2009

Growing Grassroots

This is the spot we'll be meeting at for the Westminster Breastfeeding Picnic this year. Monday July 20th, Victoria Towers Gardens. That's the Palace of Westminster (Houses of Parliament) in the background, and Emily Pulling, and her weeks old daughter, is standing in front of the Rodin Statue in the top half of the long triangle that is the park. We'll be having the Picnic on the lovely green grass you can see behind her.

That's my didymos by the way, so anyone attempting to 'acquire' it on the day will have me to answer too! Be afraid, be very afraid! ;-)

I mention the green grass, and grassroots, for a very specific reason. You can't have a picnic without green growing grass. You especially can't have a Picnic in the heart of London, without green growing grass. Why? Because our picnics have babies and young kids and Mums and Dads. And you can't take young kids and babies into Summer heat, without green, growing, grass. This is why we had such a hard job finding a replacement for Parliament Square. If we'd not had access to this lovely stretch of grass, we'd have had to cancel. Even 'tho the Sri Lankans have left Parliament Square, the grass wouldn't have had time to recover.

Living things, especially small and very vulnerable baby living things, need nurture. And our babies and toddlers and young wild and free kids, needed grass, and trees, in order for our picnic to be nurturing to them. Hot concrete, or pavement, or tarmac wouldn't do. So the grass is very important.

It's also very symbolic. Not as it's green (although breastfeeding is a very green activity) but because it's small and grows slowly and quietly in the background. Grass is everywhere... it is the most successful plant on the planet. It's also small and tiny and little and not very complicated. That's why we refer to small, local and simple political active as 'grassroots'. It's the most basic form of activism, or organisation for change.

And the Breastfeeding Picnics illustrate such grassroots activity, perfectly. We're not a big organisation, we're just Mums with computers in the kitchen. (Well, I moved mine to the living room as I spent too much time on it.) Emily decided one morning to do the first one, to make a stand. She was told no one would come. She was also told not to do it, as bigger and better organisitions were planning Great Things, and she should wait. Emily didn't wait, she did what she wanted, low key and local, and in a couple of weeks and on Mumsnet, arranged something where 70 plus Mums & Tots, turned up and breastfed on Parliament Square.

The next year was just as low key and spontaneous, a comment on a mail list, and there was another picnic - a spur of the moment. Regional ones were added in discussion - just Mums on computers - as the need to 'be there' even if they couldn't travel to London, was expressed. Last year, between all the picnics, the best part 400 Mums and their kids breastfed at a picnic.

It's just the same this year. Mums on computers. Some are too busy, or too pregnant, to do another one. Some are asking 'can I do one?' and have set up their own 'first time' local one. So this year we have Birmingham, Poole, Stroud, Warrington, Salford, and Durham. Colchester just got cancelled due to pregnancy throwing-up-ness. Sorry. :-( We already have new 'first times' for next year! (Say hello Brighton!)

We also have 'new' things this year. Birmingham Picnic really got inspired for this their second year, and they have had a wonderful 'Breastfeeding Photo Shoot' Day, where Mums and babies, and a professional photographer (a Mum!) went about Birmingham City Centre and just had fun. Shopping, lunch, coffee, ice-creams. And the photos reflect that Mums are in public spaces, with breastfeeding babies and... so what? Not a comment made once, whilst they went about the business of being a women being in public spaces who happened to have babies to feed with them.

And that's one of the functions of the breastfeeding picnics - when women are together, and are breastfeeding in public spaces... no one says a thing. Comments are usually only said to individual mothers, isolated from support. Present the world with a few Mums breastfeeding normally, and its no big deal. In the same way that a woman who appeared in the streets displaying her ankles could be pilloried... when she appeared in the company of other women with ankles on display... she was safe. Eventually, no one found ankles risque.

In this ways, the picnics serve to make breastfeeding in public spaces more normal and everyday. People who walk past, unawares, may get a little shock of "Oh my" if it's a new sight to them, but collectively, mothers enjoying a picnic as they feed their young, is not something that most people object to. Just doing it in the company of others normalises it.

It also can be very empowering for the mothers concerned. Feeling perfectly normal and every day, and relaxing to the point where you forget to notice that what you are doing is 'shocking', is extremely liberating. A sense of safety rather than unease. A sense of safety mothers report feeling when in Scotland, even on their own. It's rather shocking, isn't it, that what we're talking about is women feeling unsafe in public spaces... well, safe in public spaces in Scotland, and unsafe in public safes in England & Wales.

Hungry babies and kids who can be fed without fear in Scotland, but who can't be fed without some inner panic and a bit of trepidation in England & Wales. Oh please, don't be hungry now... just wait until I can find somewhere safe... Of course, we're making that up, aren't we?

Another little grassroots shoot, again, from Birmingham, has been setting up t-shirts and tops with the slogan Colchester set up last year - breastfeeding is not a crime. Particularly useful as the London picnic can't have posters or a table. But it can have clothing and badges. Must get the badge machine out and get cracking, actually. We're hoping to have a Protect My Baby, Protect Me for everyone for London. Oh my blistered hands!

We also have this fabulous professionally produced poster, available for all the sites, made by a Mum who does this for a living. Birmingham really have pushed the boat out this year. All on their own, just getting on with what seems obvious to them. No budget, no committees, just simple actions taken spontaneously: grassroots. Join them, print off a poster for your area's picnic and pin it up somewhere, hand it on. Just be a Mum. Change the world.

We've also developed interest from others. Newspapers sometimes email for quotes or info - but they never print them! An academic researcher has been in touch about how they developed, and why we do what we do.

Kate Boyer is a lecturer in Social and Feminist Geography at the University of Southampton (and mum of a bouncing 15 month old boy). She is currently doing a research project on experiences of breastfeeding in public in the UK, and efforts to make breastfeeding in public easier and more commonplace. She has previously published work on women's experiences trying to combine breastpumping with wage-work, and also on breastmilk donation.

She will be attending the London picnic, and would be happy to hear the views of other attendees on the issue of public breastfeeding while there. If you would like information about this research project please contact her at L.K.Boyer@soton.ac.uk

So, there we go. A little activity, that's slowing turning into a bigger activity. Little tendrils reaching out and meeting up with other little tendrils, and huge big things happening as a result. Who knows, if we keep this us, Government Minsters might bother to read their mail? I, for one, am going to be very interested to see where Breastfeeding Picnics are in ten years time.

Emily and I will see you in Westminster, next Monday. If you want to run your own regional picnic for next year, get in touch. If you're going to a Regional Picnic, check the updates, and have fun.

And when you're having that fun, look down at the grass. It's powerful stuff.

Saturday, 11 July 2009

Dear Vera Baird QC,

Charity, The Queen Victoria Memorial, The Mall, London

It's taken me two days to start writing this: I've nearly lost the will to live with it, honest.

*sigh*

So here we go... as you will recall, dear reader, on actually reading Clause 16 of the Equalities Bill, as opposed to the spin around it... Serious Questions Were raised In Our Minds. Namely, where was this protection for breastfeeding in public spaces at all?

So, I suggested that everyone write their MP, as I did, pointing out how worried they were by the implications in Clause 16, and asking for clarification on one thing: if a mother was asked to leave premises, did she have to go? Answer that she did, came via Unicef UK, a 'supporter' of Clause 16 who was involved in discussions about this Bill at Government level.

The MPs sent the letters for clarification, to Harriet Harman at the Equalities Office, and they were replied to by Vera Baird, Solicitor General, QC, MP, C.R.V.W. (Can't Read Very Well). Vera sent a form letter back to everyone, thanking them for their support for the Bill and saying how great it was they agreed with the Government.

Lots of Mums then got very annoyed, including Emily Pulling, who replied back to her MP about the MP not noticing the sleight of hand, and how she wanted An Answer.

Emily's MP, Cheryl Gillan, was also then quite annoyed, it seems. She replied back to Vera Baird, and repeated Emily's request for clarification. Vera Baird, Solicitor General, QC, MP... again sends the "Thank you very much for supporting the Equalities Bill" letter. She even rearranges the opening paragraph slightly, to show she's done something a wee bit different.

So... she is sent a letter by an MP, asking her to address the issues she did not address the first time... and she responds with the same letter.

Honestly, I can't even laugh. Seriously, it's just not funny anymore. I suppose we shouldn't be surprised, this was the Government that when MPs wrote about Baby C, gave their MPs false information about meetings that had happened with myself and others. Lying to MPs is seen to be quite a big thing... but strangely, here we are, a few months later, and Government Ministers are ignoring MPs requests for clarification on a Bill they want the MPs to vote for!

Cheryl Gillan, bless her cotton socks, didn't take this lying down. She immediately tabled questions to the Government, on the Bill! Thanks Cheryl, we do appreciate that!

Here's the letter Cheryl sent back to Emily, with Vera's "I have my fingers in my ears and I'm going La-La-La loudly" reply....

Dear Ms Pulling,

I have received a response from the Solicitor General at the Government Equalities Office dated 1st July, 2009, in response to further enquiries made on your behalf. As you will see from the comments, despite requesting further clarification from the Government, the Minister has chosen to repeat her initial comments. I am sorry that the Minister has not been more forthcoming in replying to you.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if I can be of further assistance to you.

Yours

Cheryl Gillan

She then tabled the following questions:

What protection does a mother have who is breastfeeding her child in a public place and is asked to desist by another member of the public who is not a person in authority under the provisions of the Equality Bill?

What recourse would a mother who whilst breastfeeding her child in a public place and being asked to leave and then left the premises have under the proposed provisions of the Equality Bill?

Will the proposed provisions of the equality Bill provide protection for a mother who whilst breastfeeding her child in a public place is asked to leave by a person in authority?

These are fabulous questions. They go to the heart of the issue - public space. Not 'premises', where goods and services are being delivered. Thank you Cheryl!!!!

There is an expectation that MPs will receive a written response within 7 days of posting. Tick tock tick tock tick tock... We'll keep you posted. They should be answered by the 13th.

So, on to Vera. How do you solve a problem like Vera? How to you catch a cloud and pin it down? Well, I suggest it's time we write to Vera, directly, and register that we are COMPLAINING about Clause 16, and REQUESTING a clear answer on the issues.

Those of you who have received Vera's letter via your MP, should also cc your email to your MP. I've not had any response from my own MP yet, so I'm going to write the following:

....Vera Baird

To: Vera Baird, Equalities Office,

vera.baird@geo.gsi.gov.uk

bairdv@parliament.uk

Dear Vera Baird QC,

I’m writing to you in your capacity as Minister at the Equalities Office and have cc’d this communication to my MP, Alistair Burt.

Myself and several friends have requested information from the Equalities Office via their MPs. All, except myself, have been sent by return a letter from you, as this is your area of authority.

Without exception, your return letter has not answered their points, or even acknowledged their enquiry. Even when prompted again by an MP to respond to the request for information, you responded by once more sending the same form letter. In fact, when faced with several letters stating concerns about the upcoming Equalities Bill, you responded to these concerns by thanking the sender for their support.

Therefore, let me make this communication exceptionally clear.

THIS IS A LETTER OF COMPLAINT. I wish to register my objection to clause 16 on the Equalities Bill. I wish you to know, as the Minister involved, that as a breastfeeding mother, I am stating that I DO NOT SUPPORT Clause 16 of the Equalities Bill. If you now send me the form letter thanking me for my support, I’ll know you hold your electorate in the utmost contempt. It is a basic tenet of communications with Ministers, by either MP or voter, that you bother to read, and respond to their communication. I expect you to respond to me clearly and competently. I expect you to acknowledge that I have registered with you that I do not support Clause 16 of the Equalities Bill.

THIS IS A REQUEST FOR CLARIFICATION. I repeat the request that has been forward on to your several times over the past few weeks, by several MPs acting on behalf of their constituents, and which you and your office have utterly ignored.

Could you please confirm that under the provision of Clause 16 in the proposed Equalities Bill, that if a mother who is breastfeeding in England & Wales is asked to leave premises providing her with goods or services, she must leave? I do not wish to hear an answer that states you think that as it is (note IS, not will be) an offence to do so, no person in authority on those premises would ask a mother to do so. I’m not interested in that response. I’m interested in the answer to the question: if she is asked to leave premises by a person in authority… must she go? The answer is either a ‘yes’ or a ‘no’: if that helps you narrow down and formulate your response.

I look forward to an early reply.

Yours faithfully

Morgan Gallagher

You may wish to write to Vera on your own behalf, or to ask your MP to re-prompt her to actually bother to respond to your first letter. :-)

Now, some interesting things to say about all this. First of all, the photo of the statue at the top, is what the Royal Family see when they are on the Balcony at Buckingham Palace. I thought it was 'apt' for another wrangle with politicians.

Secondly, there have been a couple or three MPs signing the epetition. Including Clare Short, who is the MP for Birmingham that covers the Cathedral (which is hosting one of our regional Breastfeeding Picnics).

Unicef UK, who had been asking mothers to write into the Equalities Offices and congratulate the Government... no longer appear to be doing so. Seems to have disappeared off the website, anyone able to find it? Can't help thinking the "thank you for your support" letter being churned out by Vera Baird's office was set up to deal with all this 'praise'...

Gosh, I do hope there is some good news on this soon, or even just a response. It's such a grind having to force the powers that be just to read their bloody letters!

EDIT: July 12th

My MP, Alistair Burt, confirmed he'd had the 'thank you for your support' form letter and had been drafting a response back to Vera Baird requesting a more appropriate response. This is exactly what I thought had happened. Nice that at least one MP, had actually read the incoming response, and compared it to the letter that instigated it. Well Done Alistair!!!!! Maybe with Alistair & Cheryl on the case, we might get a response. :-) If you haven't done so - please prompt your own MP. I know it feels like pushing a rock up a hill, but we need to keep making people accountable. Flagging as the responses are so stupid and incomprehensible is how they wear us down!

Friday, 26 June 2009

A Class Apart - The Pashmina Mums

Monday:

Hell of a long time in editorial meeting this week. Last week's feature on baby bottles brought out all the usual nipple nazi loonies, and I spent far too long with the new editor explaining again... he really is pig shit stupid... that woman HAVE TO HAVE A CHOICE. He mumbled on and on about the comments about the WHO code thing, and I told him AGAIN it's all codswallop and just to ignore the fascist frenzy. He appears to have forgotten that I told him to freeze the comments on the column as it was about bottles, and the bullies would be out in force. I was exceptionally good 'tho, and didn't scream IT'S ALL YOUR FAULT in his face, and told him if he was really worried, doesn't he think the lawyers would say something? He backed down then, and I moved in with "It proves they're reading my column, is that a problem?" He went off in one of his silent and pensive moods. If he does this again, I swear I'll tell M I am going to resign. Idiot has no business editing women's features, if he doesn't get CHOICE.

Tuesday:

Got copy in for next week's column and celebrated at Magio's with J. Allowed myself the double cream lemon torte, which is 800 calories a slice. J watched me swallow every mouthful. She isn't back to pre-birth yet, and only allowed herself the coffee biscuit. It was worth it, even if I had to skip supper with L later. When I got home, there was a package for me, a freebie of a new 'scarf' based 'breastfeeding aid', made by a Mum (whose husband owns a promotions firm). It was a lovely soft lilac, with a very clever fold in one corner, that lets it be tucked up and over very securely. But you'd never know it's not just a normal scarf when it's on. Phoned her for a short discuss, to provide some fleshing out when I do the 'cover up in style' feature next month. So much lovelier than most of the shower curtain things I've been sent. She said she'd thought of it after someone made a rude comment to her, in her local cafe, and didn't want other mothers to have to go through that. I felt this was a lovely 'hook', showing concern for all new Mums, and after a few minutes she'd promised to send me the rose pink and the primrose ones - so nice chrimbos there for sure.

Wednesday:

Had an appalling time fighting my way through to the Nursery pick up, with traffic just Out Of Control. By the time I'd loaded them both into the back seat, we were running very late for 1's piano lessons, and 2 was screaming hungry. Cracked open an emergency UHT carton from the boot with disposable push thru teat thing. Silence was Golden. Thank you Katie Price! Must remember to mention this on next suitable column.

Thursday:

Dropped in the Mums' group, on my way to the gym. Was very harassed as not only had I found 1's brie and grape sandwich in my shoe on the way out the door, L phoned to say he'd be very late tonight. Sat with J and P, and discussed that appalling programme on the 8 year old breastfeeding, again. J was mentioning it to P, as P's little girl is nearly 8 months old, and she's still only breastfeeding - never has had a bottle. P did confide she was struggling, and was unsure what do to. She was feeding in front of us, and we all got a rather unflattering flash as baby moved her head about to look at us. No pashmina was going to cover such a strapping baby, folded cover or not. This really was shower curtain territory. P turned bright red and stuffed herself back into her bra, whilst we pretended we'd not noticed.

Had very little sympathy actually, as both J and I had taken great pains to help her out earlier, and let her know she was setting herself up for trouble later. But P hadn't listened, and had got very sniffy when J had said formula wasn't poison. We'd been a bit worried actually, she was going to turn into one of those women, but we didn't let it show. I told P I'd plenty of info on weaning, and I'd pop it round. J told her about the going on holiday technique, and that S had used weaning to get a two week break in the Seychelles out of her hubby. When she came back, baby was perfectly happy and never went on the breast again - and you don't have to hear them crying. P said she wasn't sure, didn't the baby miss her Mum and her milk? It's extremely unfair of P to talk like this in front of J. She knows J couldn't breastfeed her own as her milk never came in, and I admire J so much for taking it on the chin so much, and still supporting Mums like me and P. I popped some weaning leaflets into P later, and also gave her one of the shower curtain things from my freebies. Said I just wanted some honest feedback on how easy it was to use, and would she do me a favour and review it for me, for the column, so she didn't feel too bad. It was a favour to me, sort of thing.

Friday:

Had the most outrageous row with one of those bitch lactivists, who was furious with me about the bottle feeding column for last week. It was very embarrassing, at K's lunch time think tank meet, for the local community school fundraising. This woman had just joined the group, and went bright red when she was introduced to me - and asked me straight out if I was 'that women with the article'. K didn't know where to look, and it was left to me to try and make her back down. It was infuriating, she was spouting the usual nonsense 'formula is poison, gives babies two heads and forked tongues' stuff. I told her if she had actually read my column, she'd know I'd breastfed BOTH of mine, and that I was very supportive of breastfeeding, and often do columns on what equipment you need and things. In fact I was preparing a new one now, on breastfeeding aids... it cut no ice. It never does with these sort. Obviously, I wasn't breastfeeding an 8 year old, so I don't count! I asked her what about mothers who couldn't breastfeed what were supposed to do, and she went on about making sure they got good support in the units. I ask you! J's nipples were blistered raw from trying, with no milk, and her midwife has told her there was no milk in her breasts at all. This nutcase just did the usual tirade about 'no such thing as no milk' for most women who gave up and I just had to tune her out, I tell you. Does she think midwives are idiots and maternity staff don't have any sodding training? I wish these women realised what harm they do. The rest of the meeting was very difficult, and after an hour, she made her excuses and left. K apologised and I told her no need. It's not as if we're not used to it, is it?

Saturday:

Did a web search and found this woman posts in a lot of the 'lactivist' communities. Knew that B was preparing a column on nipple nazis and how they practically drive women to suicide, so knew she'd like some of the 'posts' I found. Copy and pasted them over to her, with a short note about yesterday's horror. B responded quickly, and thanked me. Looking forward to B's column in two weeks.

L went into the office again this morning, so I took 1 and 2 to the park, and mused on this week's column. Sent a note around my flist, asking for horror stories on being bullied to breastfeed, and started a file. N phoned later on that afternoon, her Dad was in hospital for a routine procedure and had caught a bug in there, and ended up staying for three weeks so far. N had gone in to find him in dirty sheets with his hair uncombed and his face not shaved for three days. He's lost weight and doesn't appear to be eating. I calmed N down and sent her over several articles on how the NHS fails elderley patients, and gave her the details on how to complain to her PCT. She was very grateful. She phoned back later to say she'd sent a rocket up one of the consultants, and her Dad have been moved to a private room. Success! It never fails me how often you have to remind people to complain about shoddy service with hospitals - people are too timid. Glad I was able to help N.

Sunday:

Blissful lie in, whilst contemplating this week's column on new cot designs. L took the kids whilst I worked all afternoon. Would have given my first born to have had the interactive 'home unit' cot, with the air conditioning, the TV on the side and the sound bafflers. Of course, if I'd given my first born, wouldn't have needed the cot! Must get our Stokke on Ebay, as we've decided No More Rugrats!

Monday:

Arrgghh. I am going to kill him. He's said he's unhappy with the 'cover up in style' piece, as I've not mentioned the Equality Bill and how Mums can breastfeed in public without covers if they want to. I told him I knew that, as UNLIKE HIM I'm a breastfeeding mother! And if anyone should know how needed a column on how to do it with some style and class was, it was me! I'm not a political column, I'm a light and frothy piece on the travails of intelligent motherhood... and if I wanted to do politics, I'd join the news desk! He was _so_ close to me calling him out for sexual harassment, and I think he knew it, which was why he backed off. I could spit tacks. Phoned B and had a long rant, she commiserated, as her editor is also a a bit dim. Although hers is never stupid enough to leave the comments column open if they ever mention anything to do with breastfeeding, or bottles.

Tuesday:

Submitted copy on the cots and met up with J at Magio's again. P came too and thanked me for the weaning leaflets, which she'd found interesting. A relief to know other mothers went through the same pressures. Both J and I refrained from a chorus of "We told you so." Thankfully, baby was asleep entire time, so didn't have to worry about her flashing Magio's staff. No shower curtain in her nappy bag, that I could see... R turned up and was down in the dumps about her weight loss sponsored bike thing. She was thinking about packing it all in, as she'd got a bit down on how much work it was, and was it all worth it? We told her - never give up, she can do this: woman are strong! R left considerably cheered to go back to the gym, and J went with her to drop round to her printers to check on proofs for her new book on sleep training - CBC is doing the intro, she had confirmed. What a catch! P and I chatted for a few minutes, and confided again, that she was struggling with the breastfeeding. I told her straight - she's not a martyr, and she needs to think of herself first - all babies need a happy Mummy, don't they? That's all that matters. I'd given it 4 months and mine were fine, weren't they? She seemed happier too.

Wednesday:

Felt drained from how busy it had all been, so checked myself in for a spa and a massage. L made supper tonight, and I had a half a bottle of red wine. Made a note to mention to P, that another advantage to weaning would be she could drink again.

Thursday:

Opened my inbox to find an explosion of emails about a new breastfeeding campaign Up North somewhere, that has a picture of a toddler breastfeeding, with the words "Normal, natural and healthy" under it. I ask you! Fired off some replies as the phone was ringing. It was A, a girl I went to Uni with. We'd kept in loose touch, and she was now writing for the local newspaper in the area with the poster. Was more than happy to give her a couple of quotes. Then I pasted over some of the ripest comments in my inbox to both B and R to read. B was already hot on the case and had posted several times in the comments in the local papers.

Friday:

After much hassle and several trips to several newsagents, got a copy of the local. A had done me proud, and had quoted me almost verbatim. I carefully opened the pages at the article, and folded back, tucking it under my arm. I placed the paper on the table at K's, just as the meeting on the school fundraising started.

"What these extreme lactivists don't realise, is how much harm they do. Breastfeeding is not the only factor in a Mum's life, and alienating all the other mothers, and berating them for being abnormal and unnatural for bottle feeding, the way this offensive poster does, is completely unacceptable. We live if a society where women have choices, and must be free to follow their own choice, and do what is right for them, without others interfering. All mothers should feel supported, not criticised for their feeding decisions. "

It was of no use, she didn't turn up. Not that it would have made much difference anyway - some people never listen, do they? There's none so blind as those that will not see...

Thursday, 18 June 2009

I Didn't Make That Up - Rage & Farce in Westminster

I swear I should have named this blog

... you couldn't make it up!

Don't worry - don't try to strain your eyes - I'll explain it all out. Last month, after this post, Emily Pulling, founder of the Breastfeeding Picnics, wrote a letter to her MP...

I'm writing to request you seek clarification from the Government on the details of how breastfeeding in public spaces is protected under the proposed Equalities Bill. Specifically, could you ask what would happen if a mother was asked to stop feeding her child, and leave a cafe? Would she have to leave, when asked, and then bring a claim after the event?

I'd also appreciate you inquiring what protection a mother has if she is approached in the street, or on premises, from a passer-by and not the staff or owner of the premises? If a fellow passenger on the train, for instance, starts to demand she stop feeding and leave the carriage, what protection would the mother have under the Equalities Bill?

As you know, if this took place in Scotland, the mother could have either staff, or passer by, charged for an offence liable to a £2500 fine. I'm greatly concerned that the proposals in the Equalities Bill are not equal to this and would ask that you seek clarification on my behalf.

Yes, you may indeed recognise the words.

Today, by post, she received the above letter from Vera Baird, QC, MP, Solicitor General at the Equalities Office. It came via her MP, Cheryl Gillan.

So let's just get that sequence straight shall we? Emily emails her MP, Cheryl, and asks for specific information on the breastfeeding section of the upcoming Equalities Bill. Cheryl forwards it onto Harriet Harman at the Equalities Office. Harriet forwards it to Vera, in the Equalities Office, who replies to the email, and sends Cheryl, the MP a detailed reply. Cheryl sends the reply, by post, to Emily.

Are we clear?

Good. Now, what does Vera's reply say? It thanks Emily for her support for the Equalities Bill, and tells Emily how encouraged she, Vera, is, by Emily's comments and how great it is that all the breastfeeding mothers are so happy about the legalisation.

No, I didn't make that up.

So, there's Vera, QC, MP Solicitor General... and unable to read. There's her secretary, one presumes, picking up a letter from an MP, glancing at it, seeing the words 'breastfeeding' and 'Equalities Bill' and puts it into the "fulsome praise for breastfeeding and the Equalities Bill" pile (a very small pile, one presumes) and then prints out a form letter of fulsome praise and thanks... and Vera signs it. Without, one presumes, noticing it is actually a letter requesting information and clarification, and that it actually says that this breastfeeding mother is GREATLY CONCERNED about the proposed Bill.

And there's Vera's secretary, posting the letter back to Cheryl Gillan, who spots the problems and acts... or not. No, what Cheryl Gillan does, or I presume, her secretary does, is looks at the letter and pops it into an envelope with a covering letter to EMMA PULLING, and sends it to Emily, thanking her for allowing her, Cheryl, to "raise this matter" with the Government.

No, I didn't make that up.

Isn't it just wonderful? Don't we have SUCH a responsive and responsible system of Government? That an MP can raise an issue on behalf of a constituent - without the MP bothering tho check what the matter being raised is, or if it was addressed in the reply? Who can even get the name of the constituent wrong? We should be grateful they go the address right I suppose. And that the Government minister the letter is sent to, can equally NOT READ THE LETTER and send back a form letter that actually talks about the original letter being a compliment, as opposed to a request for information on the basis of serious concerns?

I think not.

This is accountable, transparent and competent Government? It's not even as if Cheryl Gillan is a Labour MP - she's Conservative! You'd think given the current climate at Westminster, a Conservative MP might take the time to read a Ministerial response to a constituent who has raised serious concerns about current legislation. You'd think.

Although at least I now understand the Government's concern about the fall in educational standards. It's just terrible when the Government Minister's can't read - especially when they can sign their names.

It makes you proud to be British, don't it?

*sigh*

Emily, once she'd calmed down... rage barely covers it, I can tell you... fired off a letter to her MP:

Dear Mrs Cheryl Gillan,

Thank you for the letter you forwarded to me which I received this morning.

Unfortunately, apart from the fact that you have got my name wrong, you and Vera Baird QC, MP have not read my original request at all. The letter from Ms Baird thanks me for my support for the Equalities Bill, when my original email to you was a request for clarification on the actual content of the Bill.

So that you can reassess my enquiry, I will copy and paste my original email to you.

"I'm writing to request you seek clarification from the Government on the details of how breastfeeding in public spaces is protected under the proposed Equalities Bill. Specifically, could you ask what would happen if a mother was asked to stop feeding her child, and leave a cafe? Would she have to leave, when asked, and then bring a claim after the event?

Yours sincerely

Emily (not Emma!) Pulling

The office were quick to respond:

Dear Ms Pulling

Firstly, I am very sorry to have typed the wrong name - and I do apologise for that mistake. Cheryl did send a copy of your email to the Minister, so sadly, the Minister made that assumption that you supported the Bill.

I will copy your email and re-submit that to the Minister and request that she focus on the point that you make below.

As soon as Cheryl has a response she will be in touch with you again, once again, sorry for the mistake on your name.

Kind regards

So, back to the bated breath for us! For those who've not been following it, the answer from Vera Baird should have been that yes, if asked to leave, the mother will have to go, and claim afterwards. And that there is no protection at all, from being asked to stop by a passer-by, or being harassed on the Underground, as Emily herself was last year. It will be fascinating to see if she has the courage to say so in her response, given the gushing self-congratulations she displays in the form letter where she states that Ms Pulling's comments are particularly welcome.

That would be the greatly concerned comment, eh Vera?

What is so depressing about this, is it's so f amiliar. Concerned Mums writing to their MPs to write the Government for answers, and getting garbage in reply. At least we keep catching them out on it, and can let others know.

Now, I hesitate to ask, I really do.... anyone else had this garbage? Or worse?

Wednesday, 10 June 2009

World Breastfeeding Week 2009 - Breastfeeding In Emergencies

Breastfeeding: A Vital Emergency Response
Are you ready?

OBJECTIVES of WORLD BREASTFEEDING WEEK 2009

To draw attention to the vital role that breastfeeding plays in emergencies worldwide.
To stress the need for active protection and support of breastfeeding before and during emergencies.
To inform mothers, breastfeeding advocates, communities, health professionals, governments, aid agencies, donors, and the media on how they can actively support breastfeeding before and during an emergency.
To mobilise action and nurture networking and collaboration between those with breastfeeding skills and those involved in emergency response.

RATIONALE

Children are the most vulnerable in emergencies – child mortality can soar from 2 to 70 times higher than average due to diarrhoea, respiratory illness and malnutrition.
Breastfeeding is a life saving intervention and protection is greatest for the youngest infants. Even in non-emergency settings, non-breastfed babies under 2 months of age are six times more likely to die.
Emergencies can happen anywhere in the world. Emergencies destroy what is ‘normal,’ leaving caregivers struggling to cope and infants vulnerable to disease and death.
During emergencies, mothers need active support to continue or re-establish breastfeeding.
Emergency preparedness is vital. Supporting breastfeeding in non-emergency settings will strengthen mothers’ capacity to cope in an emergency.

This year's WABA World Breastfeeding Week, August 1-7 2009, is concentrating on breastfeeding in emergency situations.

Such emergencies are often closer than we think, given the problematic nature of powdered infant formula, with its need of both heated clean water and excellent hygiene conditions for its safe use. And it's so easy to think you are insulated from the harm it can cause to not breastfeed, if you live in a world where clean water and heating for it is common place. The simple fact is that clean water and heating materials are often casualties within hours in even minor emergencies. I once spent a week without water in Glasgow, when the pipes froze solid, and we had to resort to bottled water to drink and wash in. Ice storms, such as the one that hit Glasgow, can freeze you out of water in a matter of hours.

Hurricane Katriona, which hit New Orleans in the USA, wrecked even the sophisticated support structures we associate with being 'In the West'. Babies went hungry when clean water and heating disappeared in the floods - often the formula disappeared too. The worst story I've heard of Katriona to date, was the Mum left on a roof for five days with her formula fed two week old baby. The most distressing part of this tale is not that the baby died a few hours after rescue... it was that the Mum was then treated for engorgement of her recently post-partum breasts. That we've divorced ourselves so completely from our normative biology - to the point that mothers and new babies were being discharged out of maternity units into the hurricane zone, with doctors unable to say the words "You're putting your baby's life at risk." and that a distraught mother watched her baby slowly dehydrate to the point of death, with milk in her own breasts... leaves me bewildered and speechless. Truly speechless.

Formula in baby bottles in emergencies is never the answer: that much is undeniable. Sometimes, formula given in an easily cleaned stainless steel cup, is a short term solution to the mother being supported to relactate, in order to feed her baby safely as she rebuilds their lives and her community. Or whilst a grandmother relactates to feed her grandchild if the mother has died. Yet well intentioned support agencies, and individuals, still set about gathering stores of donated formula, donated baby bottles, and trying to ship them to mothers who will watch their babies grow sick and die from such well intentioned recklessness. Worse, many breastfeeding mothers in communities in such calamity, often respond to the free giving out of formula and baby bottles, by stopping breastfeeding themselves.

Donate a baby bottle and formula in emergency: donate death.

Again, that such a basic connection to our own biology is severed, in times of such extreme stress and the need for it is at its greatest... speechless.

World Breastfeeding Week have produced a variety of excellent resources to support this year's them, and they can be found here.

There is a pledge scheme for those who can run local events to raise awareness of this crucial issue. Details here.

I'll be passing on other materials in the run up to August. Please propagate information and the URLs about WBW far and wide - help get the message out.