Promoting Breastfeeding on TV

by Renee

Several weeks ago I went to Breastfeeding.com (My favorite site on the web) and saw the plea to call the local media with the press release about World Breastfeeding Week.

Well, the militant little breastfeeder I am, I went all out and contacted all three of the local television stations by email. Not being satisfied that that would be sufficient, I also called each and spoke of World Breastfeeding Week, and KRCR TV Chico-Redding (CA) was very interested. They asked me to fax them the press release, which I did, and that evening they called and asked me to interview the Sunday before the "Week" started.

I called my La Leche League Leader and she agreed to be here and all to lend support. Well wouldn't you know it, Sunday rolls around and someone decides to attempt a murder in the next town, and my interview was bumped. Talk about major disappointment!

Well, we rescheduled for Monday, and he showed up. My La Leche League Leader was unavailable this time so I was on my own. I spent the few hours leading up to the interview making notes etc. Boy was I nervous! Anyway, he showed up and I had my little nurser (Connor, born 1-18-00) available for visual aid...NO I DID NOT NURSE ON TV lol!)

He asked several questions like what World Breastfeeding Week was about and what we hoped to accomplish with it. I told him (and this was on TV) that we wanted to get the message out that human milk was superior food for our babies. That the baby formula on the market, albeit satisfactory, was lacking in many qualities that only human milk could provide.

The statement was also made that with the right support, both community and mother-to-mother, anyone can successfully breastfeed. I was so pleased they ended the segment with that. Because of course, that was what we are trying to say in a nutshell.

One funny little anecdote....during the broadcast they have my voice saying how much healthier Breastfed babies are, i.e. less ear infections and colds, and at the same time pictures of me wiping Connor's nose. Oh well, can't win them all I guess!

Anyway, the story aired and I was pleased with the results. I hope Breastfeeding.com is pleased with my efforts, and I gotta tell you guys....You are the greatest. I love the site, go almost daily and refer all breastfeeders to check it out. Keep up the GREAT work.