Breastfeeding mums to protest after Facebook removes photos

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Mon, 06 Feb 2012 6:14p.m.

It was this photo of Lucy Allen breastfeeding that Facebook deemed inappropriate

It was this photo of Lucy Allen breastfeeding that Facebook deemed inappropriate

By Rachel Morton

A protest will take place tomorrow at Sydney’s Facebook headquarters after the social networking site removed hundreds of photos of women breastfeeding.

It follows another row about breastfeeding that has broken out on this side of the Tasman.

When Australian mother Lucy Allen posted a photo on Facebook her account was suspended for two days.

“The photo I had posted was something I was quite proud of,” says Ms Allen. “I was feeding my toddler and also expressing milk for another baby whose mum couldn't feed her. So that was quite an accomplishment for me and I wanted to share with my friends and my family.”

Facebook said the photo breached the rules.

“It's breasts being functional as well. And we have a lot of pictures of breasts not being functional or of breasts serving a purpose for sexual reasons and we have Facebook generating their own ads for that.”

Allen has found support from breast feeding mothers on this side of the Tasman.

“It's just natural so I don't think it should be hidden,” she says.

Breast feeding advocacy group La Leche agrees saying breast feeding is something to be proud of.

La Leche has come under criticism for its extreme views after asking for an anti-smoking advertisement featuring All Black Piri Weepu bottle feeding his baby to be re-edited; claiming the damage done to breastfeeding in New Zealand would be significant.

One father felt strongly about La Leche, saying "the people at La Leche are almost like nazis".

"When Ollie was born my wife had trouble breastfeeding and he wasn't putting on weight. So what are you going to do? He had formula and now he's a lovely thriving little boy."

Mother Virginia Clitherow says when you have just had a baby it is the "most stressful time that you're ever going to have".

"And the enormous pressure that women are under from all sides to breastfeed is completely unreasonable," she says.

La Leche describes those reactions as a "storm in a teacup" but is standing by the Facebook women who will take part in a Boobs Out protest tomorrow.

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Comments

19 Mar 2012 11:00a.m.

ToYou! wrote:

As a women it really angers me to see how negative the world has become. It is fine the way that young beautiful mothers express their natural born given ways. You and I know that this is not in anyway inappropriate, unless you think that way all the time. I think you should give yourself a break and don't stress out about something, you know is really GOOD for you. If you know what's GOOD FOR YOU! If Breast feeding is disgusting, then you all have disgusting minds... suck on that!

05 Mar 2012 10:56a.m.

the real deal wrote:

I have not encountered this hard line of having to breast feed,the best thing about modern society is that we have the freedom to choose and thats a very good thing.what is not encouraging is censoring of content that personifies a natural activity that one can only say is a very amazing piece of evolution and we would not be here today without it

02 Mar 2012 12:21p.m.

Carlos wrote:

Why make a big deal out of breastfeeding ? People don't make a big deal out of "taking a crap" ?!

10 Feb 2012 08:08p.m.

Chris wrote:

Bottle/breast argument aside, it's up to Facebook to determine what is objectionable on their site. It's their business, their site, not a public service. By submitting any content, you are implying agreement with their terms of service. It's quite simple really.

09 Feb 2012 10:33p.m.

babe wrote:

Oh, you can breast feed and still be discreet . If I see this woman in public like this I’d be horrified! This particular pic is borderline vulgar and frankly creepy. Puke!!

09 Feb 2012 07:28p.m.

Carrie wrote:

Oh for goodness sakes people, it's just some boobs and a child being fed as nature intended! You'd see more skin on the cover of most magazines. Porn? whatever. Clearly some people have no idea what it's like to be a breastfeeding mother. Sometimes babies just have to feed (it's not something that can be planned with military precision). How about you people who find it so offensive put a blanket over YOUR heads.

09 Feb 2012 06:45p.m.

redsfan wrote:

You've missed the point. FB says in its rules you cannot post nude or objectional material. that woman is exposing herself. Ever heard of discretion?

09 Feb 2012 06:07p.m.

Miss Liberal wrote:

I think even the breastfeeding supporters out there can see how inappropriate that photo is. It's against the Terms and Conditions of Facebook, if you want to share it do it else where like in an email.

09 Feb 2012 04:42p.m.

Dani wrote:

yes breastfeeding is natrual. and it should be considered normal, and women should be allowed to feed their babies in public, but on the same hand, the women should show some discretion. it only takes one little towel to cover up. most women I know (including myself) can do it in public without exposing half a breast let alone two, to the point where Ive fed in public with no one even noticing.

09 Feb 2012 02:14p.m.

him wrote:

Distasteful picture. She is exposing herself. At least people with a bit of common sense cover up with a blanket.