Now Jamie Oliver Wants To Promote Breastfeeding
Jamie and Jools Oliver announced they were expecting their fifth child at the Eddie The Eagle premiere [Photo: Rex Features]
Fresh from his victory on the sugar tax at this week’s budget, Jamie Oliver has announced he is turning his attention to another family-friendly campaign – promoting breastfeeding.
The news comes as it emerged that the TV chef and his wife Jools, 41 are adding to their brood and expecting their fifth baby in August.
Speaking to LBC Radio, the soon to be father of five explained he believes women need to be encouraged to breastfeed in order to tackle issues like obesity.
“I think the most upsetting thing for me at the moment is breastfeeding. We have the worst breastfeeding in the world,” he said.
The Oliver clan. The soon to be dad of five has also announced he’s turning his attention to promoting breastfeeding [Photo: Rex Features]
A poll conducted by Public Health England last year, found that more than a third of breastfeeding mothers shy away from doing so in public. One in five felt that people do not want them to breastfeed in public. And it’s this public perception that Jamie wants to tackle.
“We need to support the women of Britain to breastfeed more, anywhere they want to.”
The outspoken chef went on to stress the often unspoken about benefits of breastfeeding for both children and mums.
“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.”
"It’s easy, it’s more convenient, it’s more nutritious, it’s better, it’s free.”
Explaining his reasons for putting breastfeeding top of his crusade list, the chef said he believes that it is more important than campaigning for healthy school dinners adding: “Breastfeeding is the beginning of the story. It is the beginning before school dinners.”
Jamie and Jools recently celebrated their 15th wedding anniversary [Photo: Instagram/joolsoliver]
But not everyone was in appreciative of the chef’s strong views, with some female listeners calling in to express their annoyance.
“What does he think we have been doing?” asked one woman.
“We didn’t know what to do with our nipples until Jamie Oliver popped his head above the parapet. Who doesn’t know that breast milk is best for their baby?” she continued.
Others questioned why a man was making himself the spokesperson for a women’s issue.
“As somebody who has never done it, I don’t think he should be the face of this campaign at all,” said one listener.
And some listeners argued that the TV chef wasn’t taking into consideration mothers who aren’t able or struggle to breastfeed.
“There’s too much pressure put on ladies to do it anyway. We get looked down on if we do not breastfeed from the off,” one caller argued.
And baby will make five! [Photo: Instagram/joolsoliver]
Already parents to Poppy Honey Rosie, 13, Daisy Boo Pamela, 12, Petal Blossom Rainbow, six, and Buddy Bear Maurice, five, Jamie and Jools confirmed the news of their impending arrival as they made their first with-bump appearance at the premiere of Eddie The Eagle in London’s Leicester Square.
Dressed in a black jumpsuit accessorised with an of-the-moment metallic bomber jacket, Jools proudly showed off her growing bump.
Speaking of the impending addition to the family, Jamie said the news was a “complete surprise” but that he and his wife were both “really pleased”.
And this could well be the baby that completes the Oliver brood.
“I mean, it’s just getting ridiculous otherwise,” he said. “This was not expected, I can’t even believe I’m saying it. I think my own family were like, ‘Really?”’
What do you think about Jamie Oliver’s latest crusade? Join the debate @YahooStyleUK
Mum Blogger Pens Brutally Honest Post About Realities Of Breastfeeding
