Friend was told she was embarrassing

[mummytummy]

I met up with a friend today who was very upset because she went to the public swimming baths with her DH and 2 DDs, and was b/feeding her baby (12 weeks)(she had a tankini on and a big fleece jacket wrapped round her for privacy) and the manager stormed up to her and told her to stop feeding and go in the changing rooms because she was embarrassing all the other people in the pool. Her DH had noticed that there was a foreign man who kept staring and reckoned he probably complained. She was very upset that the manager made her feel dirty for b/feeding. She later rang the pool to speak to the manager about it, and again he said that she was in the wrong for feeding so publicly.

[HunkerMunker]

Bastard! Which swimming pool? If I can get there, I will breastfeed DS very publicly there Ooh, that pisses me off. Hugs to your friend - stupid man for complaining and even stupider manager for upholding it.

[pixiefish]

I'm FUMING. BLOODY STUPID MANAGER. Don't people know that bfing is totally natural and normal. Think your friend should contact her MP to complain about it

[mummytummy]

Now that would be funny - organise a b/feeding sit in over there . She lives in Thamesmead, London, so I assume it was that one.

[mummytummy]

I told her to go to the local newspaper about it!

[weeboagie]

Complain, complain, complain!!!!!! This is totally unacceptable - is there not a law or at least a Bill that has been passed that protects mothers rights to BF?

[joash]

Absolutely disgusting - the manager that is ----NOT the friend. perhaps we should all visit the swimming pool and 'get-them out' in support, whether breastfeeding or not (and I don't think we should even attempt to be discreet).

[kid]

I think she should take it further and cause a fuss. It seems the man watching her and the manager have the problem.

[pixiefish]

Your poor friend- as if her hormones aren't f'd up enough already without this hassle. She really should complain though

[JulieF]

NAME AND SHAME!!! Go to the papers. Get the NCT and any other local b/f organisation involved.

Would she mind if I used this story as an example? A local trainee bfc is writing a report for our local MP on why a bill is needed in England.

[sweetkitty]

I live in Thamesmead SE London tell her to come to the pool with me and we'll both breastfeed bastards!

[bobbybob]

If it's a council pool, she should complain to the council. The man should get a verbal warning for this sort of thing. Ideally everyone in the council should get a memo explaining that bfing is normal and natural and council employees should leave any prejudices at home.

[mummytummy]

I wouldn't have thought she'd mind JulieF. She fed DD1 until she was well over a year, so is a staunch supporter of b/feeding, and I think she'd be happy to help other people.

[CarrieG]

Was she in the pool or sat on the sidelines? (had assumed in pool but then thought maybe not as big fleece jacket!)

What a d*ckhead manager. Complain to local authority/council?

[Flossam]

I could get there too! And I have awful stretch marks... that'll give them something to complain about!!

[mummytummy]

She was sat on the sidelines. He told her that if she wouldn't go to the changing rooms then she should go and sit in the far corner of the gallery!

[Yorkiegirl]

Message withdrawn

[sweetkitty]

this mas who complained presumably never looks at page 3 or any kind of porn with womans t* all over the place???

the hipocrasy (spp?) makes my blood boil

[Caligula]

She should definitely complain. this is sexual harrassment.

If she wants to organise a demo, I'd be quite happy to drive up to Thamesmead and wave a banner!

[Caligula]

YG, they're anti bf because it's about women not making their bodies primarily available to men, but to babies. I'm convinced it's some kind of deep primal jealousy!

[sweetkitty]

and (I'm on a role here) did he complain when all the men were flaunting their bare naked nipples in the pool?????

it is sexual harassment!!!!

[Caligula]

What was the swimming pool? Which council is it? Is there an e-mail link? We can all bombard the creeps with angry pre-menstrual e-mails!

[CarrieG]

That's disgraceful. Had wondered if she was IN the water if someone had complained about that... some idiot might've taken exception & given the manager a hard time. Absolutely ridiculous if she's sat on the side anyway!