Babies were born to be breastfed
Billboards! Billboards all over! One major change from life in Bellingham to Seattle, is the bombardment of billboards and how frequently the adverts change. If my memory serves me correct, there is a city ordinance in Bellingham that prohibits new billboard creation, leaving the few existing billboards to be maintained and updated.
My favorite billboard so far in Seattle, is a big black billboard with reversed text, here is a dramatic re-enacted:
When I first glanced at this billboard, a couple thoughts went through my mind:
- What the…???
- Is this a subtle ad against male same sex child rearing?
- Out of all the possible ad designs with the word breastfed in it, couldn’t the government spring for a better design? Possibly flashing some skin to catch the eye more than an all black billboard?
Slightly perplexed to see an ad for breastfeeding, I trafficked the website to review the campaign info. It seems there is a small percentage difference in fewer health issues with breastfed babes compared to formula fed babes. The campaign’s goal is to increase awareness in first time mothers (and fathers), to encourage breastfeeding for 6 months. Most disappointing to see in the report, was the statistic that shows an increase in the amount of mothers that would feel uncomfortable breastfeeding in public. Damn! I was hoping to see some hot moms suckling their young in the fresh spring air this year with only the government to thank for the increased spectacle.
I definitely support a new ad campaign, possibly with celebrity endorsements. Picture Kate Winslet or Jennifer Connelly breastfeeding a baby in public, certainly this would bring breastfeeding into pop status, giving one, another reason to get out of the house for a walk in the park.