"No matter how you feed your child, you will feel stigmatised." This statement resonated throughout the The Goodwood Group Health Summit as we explored how the pressures parents face are shaped by a system that doesn't fully support them.
❗️Industry and Consumer Choice
Doctor Christoffer van Tulleken highlighted how industry-driven narratives fuel this struggle: "This is what we are giving consumers, not what they are choosing." It raises the question of whether parents are making informed choices or being influenced by corporate interests.
❗️Lack of Funding
Professor Louise Kenny pointed out, "Everyone has something to do with pregnancy, even if you're the product of it." Yet maternal and child health remains underfunded, especially in breastfeeding support and research.
❗️The Need for Research
Doctor James Kinross believes, "The right to a healthy microbiome should be a human right." There is a need for deeper research into the microbiome, especially in infants. At BoobyBiome we are committed to addressing these knowledge gaps.
❗️Support for Mothers
Gabrielle Palmer, author of The Politics of Breastfeeding, questioned why breastfeeding struggles aren’t treated with the same urgency as physical injuries, underscoring the lack of proper support for mothers.
In a room full of leaders committed to change, it’s clear there’s momentum towards better education, policy, and research in breastfeeding and infant health. Victoria Sibson, PhD, Alison Baum OBE, Alexander Asseily, Dr Emily Leeming PhD RD, Alana Macfarlane Kempner, clare meynell and more.
A heartfelt thank you to the Duchess of Richmond for the invitation, and to Patricia Dickie and the team for organising such a meaningful event. #GoodwoodHealthSummit
