to suggest that my sister could cover boobs with a scarf....

[chocolatehobnobs]

Sister has 2 DC 2 and 5 months. I am pg. She reckons she is the world expert on child rearing, never afraid to comment on other's parenting. We went for lunch at the weekend at Wagamama's. Staff were lovely and helpful offered highchair etc sis was vocally demanding a certain table and being a bit precious IMO. We were sitting next to 6 young guys (same table) Sis whips boob out and BF baby. I (and our neigbours who were eating) could see boob, dripping nipple. When she announced loudly that baby had bitten nipple I offered to pass her a scarf to save the boys blushes. She refused and said she was often complimented on being a good role model for BF. AIBU to want to do things differently or is she right?

[shmoz]

''Breast feeding needs to be discreet and done with dignity''

Says who? Have I missed some new legislation on this? No, didnt think so.

[TimeWasting]

Molly, what's the source for that reference?
And no, you didn't shut me up, I was just doing something else.

Happy, you think it's wrong cos you've never seen it before?
Good lord but I hate that phrase, 'each to their own' yeuch.
No one is telling you to breastfeed a toddler. You have however said that you think it's wrong. Based on fuck all.

Theinet - breastfeeding needs to be done however the mother and baby find to be most appropriate and comfortable.
Would it be appropriate to bottle feed at a communal table?

[Trees111]

I'm all for BF in public as its totally natural and the best way to feed baby...... but I think it can be done discreetly, no need to let it all hang out. So no I don't think you're being unreasonable. But clearly your sister (and other users here) think otherwise.

[chipmonkey]

theinet bfing does not need to be done discreetly. You might have a personal preference that it is done discreetly but that doesn't count as a need.

[5DollarShake]

Molly - you're the one telling people how they should and shouldn't do things.

No-one else is saying you MUST breastfeed your baby until 2 or beyond. they're simply saying it's OK to do so. You're the one saying it's not OK, and forcing your opinion of what's right and wrong on others. Talk about hypocritical.

And you haven't shut anyone up. We're not all stuck on Mumsnet 24/7 - we sometimes step away to do other things.

And to whoever said 'breastfeeding needs to be discreet and done with dignity' - oh, please!!!! Are formula-feeders expected to feed discreetly and 'with dignity'?!

[RitaMorgan]

How silly, of course not all opinions are equal!

Some people are of the opinion that women are less intelligent than men, or that black people are less intelligent than white people - are their opinions equally valid?

I could be of the opinion that there are no benefits to breastfeeding, babies should all be fed condensed milk and sugar from birth as it is just as good - is that opinion equally valid too?

Of course you may hold any opinion you like, but just thinking something doesn't make it correct.

I'm a little confused about your statement about the American Academy of Pediatrics molly, do you have a link for that? It's just the AAP recommend exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months (which means no food or formula milk), continuing to breastfeed alongside solids til at least 12 months and for as long as the mother and child wish to continue. This is in line with NHS and WHO advice.

[happy4eva]

like i said each to their own :) :)

[TimeWasting]

Please don't say that, that phrase makes my blood pressure skyrocket.

[happy4eva]

why??

It only means everyone is different :)

[dementedma]

wow, have only read some of this but seems to be a storm in a c-cup! have 3 Dcs and have bf and ff to varying degrees with all 3, as all 3 were different and my circumstances work-wise were also different each time.
My feelings are that if you are bfing, then it can be done discreetly without flashing veiny dripping boobs to all and sundry. if you are ffing, and it works for you and your lo, then go for it with pride. I have 3 hale and hearty DCs, each a combination of bf and ff. Stop bloody judging and just feed the buggers until they are old enough to feed themselves!!

[ScroobiousPip]

Opinions are not equal, that's why an earthquake prediction from the ring man (or other crazy) does not draw the same official response and commitment of govt resources as an intelligence report of an imminent terrorist attack, supported with evidence from the police or security services. One is credible, and supported by evidence, the other is mere hot air and opinion.

I can see why 'each to their own' is not a helpful phrase. It's so easily used but means little when the opinions you refer to actually impact on other women. In your case happy, you have made statements about toddlers being too old to bf in your opinion. For all that it is your opinion, it affects other women - that's why 'each to their own' doesn't really cut the mustard. Would have been different if you had said 'I wouldn't bfed my 2yo, but I don't have a problem with other women who choose to.' Then, 'each to your own' would be a reasonable response.

[happy4eva]

calm down :)

[TimeWasting]

I hate that bloody phrase 'each to their own' because only people who don't care about how they justify their actions say it.
People say it when someone worries about babies being spoonfed chocolate, or tea in a bottle.
When little girls wear t-shirts with Playboy bunnies on them and consider Katie Price a role model.
It's lazy and it's amoral.

[Longtalljosie]

Who is Eva, and why are you happy for her?

[happy4eva]

spoonfed chocolate??

What you mean melt choco to feed it?
Surely there would be no need give it them in their hand shocked:

[happy4eva]

awww my little smiley did not work :(

[happy4eva]

YEAH!!! that one did !!! :)

[happy4eva]

EWw tea in a bottle thats rank