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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Is it considered acceptable/ appropriate to breastfeed in church?

94 replies

BlueBerry123 · 21/06/2013 21:03

Attending a christening this weekend and wondering if I would be unreasonable to breastfeed my 3 week old in church? sorry if it sounds a naïve question but I am not religious at all but do respect peoples faith and wouldn't want to cause offence if it is considered unacceptable.

OP posts:

RhinestoneCowgirl · 21/06/2013 21:04

Of course it's ok! After all I'm fairly sure Jesus was breastfed...

PickleSarnie · 21/06/2013 21:05

Absolutely not. If anyone finds it unacceptable then they'd be the sort to find it unacceptable anywhere.

But I'm a durrty heathen atheist so I'm not sure my opinion is worth anything!

VinegarDrinker · 21/06/2013 21:06

I BF throughout my Mum's ordination in a Cathedral full of Bishops and the like... Noone batted an eyelid.

AuntieStella · 21/06/2013 21:06

Yes, it's fine. I've done it frequently.

But I did go and sit at the back. I thought slurping and winding (and farting and pooing) might intrude into prayer and meditation.

VinegarDrinker · 21/06/2013 21:06

Also BF during numerous baptisms

SantanaLopez · 21/06/2013 21:06

If it was good enough for Botticelli and Mary why not?

I am also a heathen though!

LalyRawr · 21/06/2013 21:07

Pretty certain there was no formula milk when Jesus was born, so he must have been breast fed!

I know my church has a little area of the side of the alter so you can still see the sermon, but breast feed without every one being able to see!

fridayfreedom · 21/06/2013 21:07

I did with both of mine, no complaints at all

CSIJanner · 21/06/2013 21:07

Shouldn't be a problem at all! I BF my youngest during the christening. The poor priest, who bore remarkable characteristics to Brian Blessed, kept glancing over and did a fantastic job of ad libbing the sermon.

Think Brian Blessed meets the Princess Bride

Call the priest/vicar and ask. You'll pretty much find that they'll be v accommodating and welcoming, especially as its a christening. Far better to keep bubba happy than screaming for food.

abitlikemollflanders · 21/06/2013 21:07

Frequently do it, never a problem. I do tend to use a shawl but only because I have a very indiscreet baby!

AmandaPandtheTantrumofDoom · 21/06/2013 21:08

Ooh, your question in the title is has the opposite phrasing as the post - I wondered why Pickled said absolutely not.

It is fine. You might like to choose an outfit you can feel covered up in, or have a scarf. But mostly because there's lots of people sitting around, so their eyes tend to 'settle' on you more, so you might feel a little more self-conscious. Church people in all but the most high church places are lovely about children - noisy babies, running toddlers, etc. All welcome!

OddBoots · 21/06/2013 21:08

It's fine imo but you'll find that those who don't go to church often think it's more unacceptable than those who do go.

WafflyVersatile · 21/06/2013 21:10

I would hope so. You are feeding god's children with god's tits.

VinegarDrinker · 21/06/2013 21:11

Actually I think my Mum's Church has a Breastfeeding Welcome sticker up

marriedinwhiteagain · 21/06/2013 21:11

Well I have been a church warden and read and stuff and am now a middle aged indomitable old bag. Of course you can breast feed in church - jesus would want you to. Just don't sit next to colonel blimp and his wife.

Last ime I heard a hungry baby I turned round and whispered "just feed him" mum looked shocked and relieved on equal measure but let me have a cuddle at the end of the service :)

guanosoup · 21/06/2013 21:12

The moment I knew my MIL was going to be a good granny was when she told me that breast feeding my month old ds in church was fine, and if any one moaned, to come and talk to her as she'd fed all of her children in church, and what's good enough for Jesus was good enough for her family

elliejjtiny · 21/06/2013 21:13

I've done it a few times and I go to church regularly. Depends on the church though and how discreet you are. I imagine a church where women cover their heads may have a problem with uncovered boobs! I have an almost 3 week old and haven't mastered breastfeeding without getting my whole boob out yet.

marriedinwhiteagain · 21/06/2013 21:14

AmandaPand.... enough of that - we are very high - thirubles and everything!!

Blu · 21/06/2013 21:14

Waffly: God has tits?
Wow!

SauvignonBlanche · 21/06/2013 21:14

It's absolutely fine.

TrinityRhino · 21/06/2013 21:15

There is nowhere I woudn't bf

AmandaPandtheTantrumofDoom · 21/06/2013 21:17

married - there you go. High church places are lovely too.

schooldidi · 21/06/2013 21:18

I fed both dds in church pretty much every Sunday until they decided they'd rather be more actively involved in the mass (screaming, giggling, crawling, etc). Nobody ever batted an eyelid, even when I was on the front row.

apostropheuse · 21/06/2013 21:29

I've actually never noticed anyone breastfeed in church and I attend weekly. Our church is full of children and babies so I'm sure someone must have done it at some point. Perhaps they're covering up - who knows?

Anyway, the congregation should be too busy praying or listening to the sermon to notice what others around them are doing.

apostropheuse · 21/06/2013 21:30

oh and we have thuribles too

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