GMTV Expert Likens Extended Breastfeeding to Drinking Coca-Cola

Oh boy, does this harmful story about extended breastfeeding I've just come across make my blood boil... but the fact it came from the mouth of a so-called expert makes me even angrier:

GMTV Boob Again

Angry mums have again blasted GMTV after a programme expert claimed breast milk is as bad for infants as drinking cola.

The breakfast show was bombarded with hundreds of complaints about midwife Clare Byam-Cook. Her views have been passed to Ofcom.

The fury comes just a week after GMTV, whose weather slot is sponsored by baby-milk maker Nestlé, was accused of an anti-breastfeeding agenda. Yesterday Byam-Cook told ITV1 host Lorraine Kelly: "Breast milk beyond the age of two isn't necessarily good because it's very, very sweet. The fact that it's breast milk doesn't make it any different to a glass of Coca-Cola."

The rest of the panel debating the subject were visibly shocked. Author Ann Sinnett demanded: "Can I ask your evidence for that?" But after mum-of-two Nicola Harris said, "My daughter has perfect teeth", Byam-Cook went on: "I am all for breastfeeding but if your toddler wanted to spend all day eating sweets you wouldn't let them."

Emails to GMTV called her opinion "nonsense" and "outrageous".

Mothering forum Mumsnet said the show had "crossed the line" after its recent poll that asked if it was "wrong" to breastfeed a child over 12 months.

A gmtv spoksperson insisted: "This item was fair and balanced."

Breastfeeding Facts

Experts say mums should breastfeed on demand from within an hour of birth for at least six months.

via www.mirror.co.uk