X
theAsianparent Logo
theAsianparent Logo
Product GuideSign in
  • Awards
    • Parents' Choice Awards 2023
  • Pregnancy
    • Due date calculator
    • I'm pregnant
    • Trying To Conceive
    • Labour
    • After birth
    • Baby loss
  • Parenting
    • Parent's Guide
    • Relationship & Sex
  • Child
    • Newborn
    • Baby
    • Toddler
    • Pre-Schooler
    • Kid
    • Pre-Teen & Teen
  • Feeding & Nutrition
    • Diseases-Injuries
    • Breastfeeding & Formula
    • Meal Planner
    • Health
    • Allergies & Conditions
    • Vaccinations
  • Education
    • Pre-School
    • Primary School
    • Secondary School
    • Primary School Directory
  • Lifestyle
    • Money
    • Travel & Leisure
    • Fashion
    • Home
    • Fitness
    • Contests & promotions
  • News
    • International
    • Health
    • Celebrity
    • Singapore
  • TAP Recommends
  • Shopping
  • Press Releases
  • Project Sidekicks
  • Community
  • Advertise With Us
  • Contact Us
  • Become A Contributor
  • VIP

Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver's breastfeeding comments land him in hot water

3 min read
Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver's breastfeeding comments land him in hot water

The dad of four is criticized after claiming breastfeeding is 'easy' and 'better'

The renowned chef is known for advocating healthier eating habits in his shows and bestselling books.

He is also known for the work he’s done for children’s nutrition and school lunch reform in the U.K.

But his recent interview LBC radio where he shares his views on breastfeeding (as a result of his nutrition studies) has sparked controversy.

“Probably the most upsetting thing for me at the moment, and I’m desperately trying to scrabble around to get more information on it, is breastfeeding. We have the worst breastfeeding in the world,” said Jamie, referring to low breastfeeding rates in the U.K.

“If you breastfeed for more than six months, women are 50 per cent less likely to get breast cancer. When do you ever hear that? Never. We need women to do it more,” he added.

This irked many mums for a variety of reasons. For starters: Though many agree that it is a wonderful experience if women choose it, the last thing mums need is a “man preaching about it”.

“It’s easy, it’s more convenient, it’s more nutritious, it’s better, it’s free,” continued Jamie.

Though he does make valid points. This understandably did not sit well with the radio show’s mum listeners.

Sobbing mum desperately tries to latch on her screaming baby, her raw nipples bleeding Jamie Oliver: You’re not trying hard enough, treacle — Amanda (@Pandamoanimum) March 18, 2016

Wow, if only I’d had Jamie Oliver to tell me breastfeeding was easy and convenient when my baby wouldn’t latch and got dehydrated! — KJ Charles (@kj_charles) March 18, 2016

Pondering the etiquette of expressing milk in front of 8yo’s best mate. If only Jamie Oliver was here to advise — Glosswitch (@glosswitch) March 18, 2016

And him somewhat declaring breastfeeding better alienated bottle feeding mums.

Many felt that Jamie overlooked how difficult breastfeeding can be for many mums: cracked, bleeding nipples, waking up every hour to feed your newborn, struggling when your child just won’t latch–these are just a few hurdles breastfeeding mums face.

It’s neither easy nor convenient. And it’s not in his place to declare it’s better than bottle feeding.

Jamie has yet again fired up an ongoing debate that’s constantly brewing.

Jamie’s response to the backlash

A few days after his radio show appearance, the dad of four aired his side by way of a lengthy tweet.

I’m not planning on starting a campaign around breastfeeding. pic.twitter.com/vRGi1ud8By

— Jamie Oliver (@jamieoliver) March 18, 2016

“I understand that breastfeeding is often not easy and in some cases not even possible,” he wrote. “But just wanted to support women who do want to breastfeed and make it easier for them to do so.”

He clarified that launching a new health campaign was not his intent but that breastfeeding was “simply an area of interest” for him.

“As a father and father-to-be,” he continues, confirming that he and wife Jools are expecting their fifth child. “I would never wish to offend women or mums as I knows [sic] how incredible they are and I would get a kicking when I got home!”

jamie olivers breastfeeding comments

Jamie with wife Jools and kids Daisy, Poppy, Petal, and Buddy (photo: Mirror UK)

If you have any insights, questions or comments regarding the topic, please share them in our Comment box below.

Partner Stories
UHT vs Fresh Milk for Toddler: 5 Things You Should Know About Milk for Your Child
UHT vs Fresh Milk for Toddler: 5 Things You Should Know About Milk for Your Child
3 Ultimate Ways to Build your Child’s Natural Defences
3 Ultimate Ways to Build your Child’s Natural Defences
MFGM: Role In Strengthening Your Child Immune System. Here’s How!
MFGM: Role In Strengthening Your Child Immune System. Here’s How!
MFGM and Milk : The Link between Nutrition and Brain Development
MFGM and Milk : The Link between Nutrition and Brain Development

Got a parenting concern? Read articles or ask away and get instant answers on our app. Download theAsianparent Community on iOS or Android now!

img
Written by

Bianchi Mendoza

  • Home
  • /
  • Feeding & Nutrition
  • /
  • Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver's breastfeeding comments land him in hot water
Share:
  • Adele offended by celebrity chef Jamie Oliver's breastfeeding comments

    Adele offended by celebrity chef Jamie Oliver's breastfeeding comments

  • Hosts of US-based "Today" show make controversial breastfeeding comments

    Hosts of US-based "Today" show make controversial breastfeeding comments

  • I Try Tracy Lee's Hack for Egg Tarts and It's So Easy That Even Kids Can Make it

    I Try Tracy Lee's Hack for Egg Tarts and It's So Easy That Even Kids Can Make it

  • Wife Forgives Husband Who Had Two Affairs And Got A Woman Pregnant

    Wife Forgives Husband Who Had Two Affairs And Got A Woman Pregnant

  • Adele offended by celebrity chef Jamie Oliver's breastfeeding comments

    Adele offended by celebrity chef Jamie Oliver's breastfeeding comments

  • Hosts of US-based "Today" show make controversial breastfeeding comments

    Hosts of US-based "Today" show make controversial breastfeeding comments

  • I Try Tracy Lee's Hack for Egg Tarts and It's So Easy That Even Kids Can Make it

    I Try Tracy Lee's Hack for Egg Tarts and It's So Easy That Even Kids Can Make it

  • Wife Forgives Husband Who Had Two Affairs And Got A Woman Pregnant

    Wife Forgives Husband Who Had Two Affairs And Got A Woman Pregnant

Get advice on your pregnancy and growing baby. Sign up for our newsletter
  • Pregnancy
    • Baby
    • Education
    • Events
    • Allergies & Conditions
  • Family Occasions
    • Breastfeeding & Formula
    • Child Safety
    • Health
    • Diseases-Injuries
  • Lifestyle
    • Home
    • Money
    • Feeding & Nutrition
    • Diet & Weightloss
  • Normal Delivery
    • Cesarean Delivery
    • Behaviour
    • Secondary School
    • Formula Feeding
  • Ages & Stages
    • Latching & Concerns
    • Festivals & Holidays
    • Education
    • Pre-teen & Teen
  • More
    • TAP Community
    • Advertise With Us
    • Contact Us
    • Become a Contributor


  • Singapore flag Singapore
  • Thailand flag Thailand
  • Indonesia flag Indonesia
  • Philippines flag Philippines
  • Malaysia flag Malaysia
  • Sri-Lanka flag Sri Lanka
  • India flag India
  • Vietnam flag Vietnam
  • Australia flag Australia
  • Japan flag Japan
  • Nigeria flag Nigeria
  • Kenya flag Kenya
© Copyright theAsianparent 2023. All rights reserved
About Us|Team|Privacy Policy|Terms of Use |Sitemap HTML
  • Tools
  • Articles
  • Feed
  • Poll

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

theAsianparent heart icon
We’d like to send you notifications for the latest news and updates on baby care and health.