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AIBU?

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Original poster

What's so offensive about breast feeding in public?

191 replies

TylerHopkins · 16/08/2013 18:50

So, I'm watching the evening news with the updates on the breast feeding in the swimming pool story and Angela Epstein appears saying 'people should be considerate of breast feeding mothers however these mothers need to be aware that some people might find what they're doing as offensive'

Another viewer text in to say BFing in public is obscene.

AIBU to ask anyone out there that shares these views to please explain to me why it's offensive? Who are these offended people? Please don't be afraid of coming forward and admitting it if you feel like this. I need an offended person to explain this to me because I really can't get my head around it.

OP posts:
PresidentServalan · 16/08/2013 20:11

Quote - was that your friend's friend in the pic? I only linked because it was in the DM today (I know, but I was bored at work! Blush

YokoUhOh · 16/08/2013 20:12

PS I would definitely slip DS the boob in a pool. I once fed him in a sling walking around Monkey World looking at the marmosets, so why not a pool?

PresidentServalan · 16/08/2013 20:13

I can't say I have really noticed anyone doing it for a long time, I guess like other posters have said, it's often not noticeable.

ICBINEG · 16/08/2013 20:13

I don't get the 'need' based arguments. You don't 'need' to go swimming at all...

The question posed here is what is wrong with the idea?

It can't be the milk or you would be banning pregnant and lactating women from the pool.

It can't be that the baby may swallow water or you would ban all babies from the pool.

It can't be the exposure of breast or nipple because ...well...open your eyes and look at society around you.

So what is it?

waltzingmathilda · 16/08/2013 20:13

If your baby needs BFing in the pool, surely it would be more comfortable to move to the side, on those nice warm stone seats and be comfortable?

babies have a habit of regurgitating too - its bad enough being in a public pool full of toddler piss with out wading through baby puke too.

PresidentServalan · 16/08/2013 20:14

And now, thanks to this thread I am worried about all the other bodily fluids and the plasters! Ewww!

Growlithe · 16/08/2013 20:14

strawberrypie - not an argument, more of a genuine question, as not or the want of trying I didn't manage to BF. In the scenario you have outlined, I would have thought it would have been a lot more comfortable for mum and baby to have towels poolside if anticipating a feed, as the baby would often want to feed for longer than a couple of minutes.

pianodoodle · 16/08/2013 20:17

Funny, really funny piano - Ho Hum

It sure is Grin

strawberrypie · 16/08/2013 20:21

But then you have soaked your towels with chlorinated water and have to be very organised and take two sets of towels, double the washing when you get home.....totally fine obviously but why bother? Nobody minded when I did it-I asked the lady leading the group if it would be ok and she told me to go ahead. Lovely lady.

Grumpywino · 16/08/2013 20:26

I work in a male dominated workplace and did ask the guys what they thought about this issue, did they find it offensive. After a lot of feet shuffling and red faces all the single/child free guys said they never know where to look as boobs are boobs and they found it all too sexy....the dads all laughed and said they would text their wives to find out what they should think....

iamadoozermum · 16/08/2013 20:35

I have a breastfeeding tankini: www.mummylooksfab.co.uk/Scoop-Tankini-Breastfeeding-Swim-Set

I'm intrigued by the mention of warm stone seats mentioned by someone up thread. My pool doesn't have anything sounding that comfortable, only very uncomfortable ribbed benches.

Growlithe · 16/08/2013 20:35

strawberrypie, I've taken two adults and two children to a waterpark all day and wrapped up for lunch in two bath sheets and two kids pool robes. Not that hard and I'd have thought the baby's comfort came first.

So I'd have taken the bathsheet for myself and maybe two baby towel robe things, if I was anticipating a feed.

Mumoftwoyoungkids · 16/08/2013 20:37

My rule about breastfeeding ds is:-

If dd (3) was hungry now would I give her a box of raisins here?

So today:- library - yep. Pub - yep. Bus - yep. Toilet - ewwww gross!

I wouldn't feed in a swimming pool because you are not supposed to swim for an hour after eating so it doesn't make sense. I've been swimming a few times with ds (11 weeks) now (we are big swimmers in my family) and once he wants food I get out and go to the changing room. Pull his cossie off, towel over his head, latch on. I get chilly but I'm 33 so will cope.

It would be unpleasant to do otherwise as he is a sicky baby and breast milk sick is a lot less pleasant than breast milk. (Although a lot less bad than 3 year old sick!)

LoisPuddingLane · 16/08/2013 20:59

My mother breastfed in Kew Gardens in the 1950s. It was that or a screaming child all the way home.

I worked in a swimming pool about 30 years ago and I agree - a bit of milk in the pool is NOTHING. Members of staff had to go in regularly - in the big pool, not the kids' one - to fish out shit.

strawberrypie · 16/08/2013 21:01

Growlithe -I agree with you, baby's needs come first. That's why I didn't want to mess about moving to sit down in the cold rather than letting LO have a nice warm feed in the pool. I guarantee she was happier with this than having to wait. Plus if the baby is happy and the mum is happy what is the problem?

I obviously accept that different babies and mums have different feelings and needs so may act differently to me but why make it harder for BFing mums by adding obstacles? Why not let people decide for themselves where they feel comfortable and support them?

Ninjahero · 16/08/2013 21:21

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Ninjahero · 16/08/2013 21:23

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Growlithe · 16/08/2013 21:33

Ninjahero make a bit more effort with your spelling next term.

Lilithmoon · 16/08/2013 21:36

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Original poster
TylerHopkins · 16/08/2013 21:40

Woah, what's going on here then? Why so many deletions?

OP posts:
Ninjahero · 16/08/2013 21:41

As a man I wholeheartedly agree with any reason for a woman to get her breasts out.

Growlithe · 16/08/2013 21:42

strawberrypie I think different people do have different comfort levels. I would always be very anxious of a little baby in water (rightly or wrongly) and would feel a lot more relaxed on dry land feeding. That would work for me and my babies (who are now 9 and 5 and great swimmers for their ages - I went to great lengths to mask my anxiety when they were babies).

It's how comfortable you are I suppose, and how able you are to predict their feeding. Smile

x2boys · 16/08/2013 21:46

breast feeding public not a problem in a swimming pool a little unhygienic?

TylerHopkins · 16/08/2013 21:46

This reply has been deleted

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MyNameIsAnAnagram · 16/08/2013 21:51

Kissmehardy I thing that there are loads of men who think of boobs as both sexual objects AND a method for feeding babies, depending on context. It doesn't have to be one or the other.