Anti-breastfeeding article prompts fury

An article describing breastfeeding as "creepy", written by an editor of a parenting magazine, has provoked outrage and been reported to the Press Complaints Commission.

Mother & Baby's deputy editor, Kathryn Blundell, wrote a comment piece under the headline "I formula fed. So what?" She says she bottlefed her child from birth because "I wanted my body back. (And some wine) ... I also wanted to give my boobs at least a chance to stay on my chest rather than dangling around on my stomach.'' A self-confessed ''out-and-proud formula fan'', Blundell argues that her breasts ''are part of my sexuality too – not just breasts, but fun bags. And when you have that attitude, seeing your teeny, tiny innocent baby latching on where only a lover has been before feels, well, a little creepy.''

Blundell's remarks have caused outrage in parenting web forums. Six readers lodged complaints with the Press Complaints Commission.

A report this year by the Department of Health states: ''There is clear evidence that breastfeeding has positive health benefits for both mother and baby.'' Miranda Levy, editor of Mother & Baby, defended Blundell: ''This was her personal experience, and certainly has a place in the ongoing parenting debate... We have made readers feel 'normal' and less of a 'failure' for [not] managing to breastfeed – a situation which is incredibly common.''