To wonder what people really think about breastfeeding at a swimming pool?

[loveolives]

It seems to be coming up a lot in the news recently. Well, twice that I can think of. I breastfed my first child until 16 months and currently feeding my second at 7 months. I happily feed in public whenever and where ever, albeit discreetly. I took my daughter swimming during the week and couldn't imagine feeding her in the pool or at the poolside. AIBU to think that doing so may generate .. attention?

[greenbananas]

I didn't see the news stories. What was said?

[mezza123]

I always clean my boobs post swim pre breastfeeding to get piss and poo off, so I think its v unhygenic to Bf in a pool. Yuck! Why not just get out and have a quick shower first?

[GobbySadcase]

In my mind if you'd eat a meal there then bf is all systems go.
How many of us crack open our packed lunch in the pool?

[Retroformica]

At the poolside yes.

[Writerwannabe83]

Poo???

Whereabouts do you go swimming??

[FlapJackOLantern]

Doesn't matter what anyone thinks, babies now have the right to breastfeed in swimming pools.

Doesn't make it right, or alright, though does it?

I find it laughable at the absolutely outrage if it is suggested a breastfeeding mother go into a toilet.......but by the same token she would want to feed a child in much the same environment that is a swimming pool !

[bellablot]

I seriously can't see the issue in feeding your baby at the swimming pool, what is the big deal? Serious question. It would never have crossed my mind!

[hettienne]

On the side = fine
Actually in the pool = no thanks

I recently saw someone feeding a baby with a bottle in the pool, baby in a rubber ring, I was

[FlapJackOLantern]

bellablot - there is a vast difference between 'AT a swimming pool' and 'IN a swimming pool' !

[bellablot]

Why is hygiene an issue? Surely if it was you wouldn't take the child in anyway. Don't see a problem. Haven't seen any good reasons not to so far.

[TheFabulousIdiot]

Tits and babies. What is the big deal? Tits in bikinis in pools with babies. Tits covered by baby in water. Seriously. It's just tits and babies.

[SirChenjin]

I breastfed all of mine and quite happily got them out in all sorts of places - but a swimming pool? Nope, I wouldn't. Leaky milk and baby puke dripping into the water isn't a very sociable thing, so if any of the DCs had needed fed or comforted I would have got out of the pool.

[mezza123]

Tower hamlets!! But thinking of those poo crumbs, you know?
But actually thinking about it, I do shower before I bf DD if I've been swimming but thats because I still think of her as a little baby and she hasn't been swimming in a public pool yet (she's 8 months) but of course if she was in the pool to be bf then she would be swimming therefore swallowing the pee anyway.
So changed my mind, it's fine to do, not yucky. Not sure how u would bf, swim AND mumsnet tho? Think I would prob drop the swimming myself.

[mezza123]

Tower hamlets!! But thinking of those poo crumbs, you know?
But actually thinking about it, I do shower before I bf DD if I've been swimming but thats because I still think of her as a little baby and she hasn't been swimming in a public pool yet (she's 8 months) but of course if she was in the pool to be bf then she would be swimming therefore swallowing the pee anyway.
So changed my mind, it's fine to do, not yucky. Not sure how u would bf, swim AND mumsnet tho? Think I would prob drop the swimming myself.

[hettienne]

Thinking about it logically there probably isn't that much of a hygiene issue - whats a bit of milk in a chlorinated pool full of bodily fluids anyway? But I think we just don't want to see the milk in the pool, whether human or cow.

[greenbananas]

Babies are pretty tough, they don't need your boobs sterilizing before they feed. Breast milk has antibacterial and antiviral properties (Google if you don't believe me).

I would rather not feed my baby at a swimming pool (am not by nature an exhibitionist) but if the baby was hungry I would definitely go ahead, and am glad the law now gives me the right to do so.

[FreeAtLastAtLongLast]

She fed her baby next to a pool why the issue?

She was hardly spraying the general public!

Mind you, when DS was small, when he cried for food, I'd spray until I could latch him on.

Surely in a world in which there are a mass of seriously awful issues needing support and action, people are getting up in arms because a mum fed her baby, near a pool, using a feeding method that had been used for thousands of years. I think we should focus our energy on more pressing and serious issues, and let little babies be fed in peace

[notanyanymore]

you wouldn't take your dc for a little trip out to sit on a toilet seat, but you would take them swimming, so it is quite different really.
how is it not right, or alright, for someone to feed their baby in a pool? after all these threads i still haven't seen any valid reasons mentioned.
if you think its unhygienic for you you really shouldn't be swimming in a public pool, and if your concerned for the baby, then presumably you think they shouldn't be in the pool! craziness!

[notanyanymore]

what freeatlastsaid !

[5madthings]

you wont see the milk as its going into the baby.


when a baby feeds it creates a seal on the breast so it wont be swallowing pool water unlike when ir is just ib the pool and not feeding. the baby is less likely to swallow pool water when feeding.


and lactating mothers often leak. i always did. i used to go swimming in the evening and often felt my milk let down whilst i was swimming.


read the link i posted on last page.


there is no hygeine issue.


you might not like it, you might not do it yourseld but its perfectly fine to bfeed in a pool and anyone who was negative to a mother doing so or tried to get her to stop would be breaking the law.

[5madthings]

and well done mezza for giving it some thought and changing your mind :)

mostvmums dont swim whilst feeding, just sit in theshallow end so baby stays warm in the water.


its actually recomended in many baby swim classes :)

[VerySmallSqueak]

I really really think it's fine to breast feed at a swimming pool.

[redshifter]

What the hell is wrong with bfeeding in the pool? I haven't seen one sensible reason why you shouldn't.
Take baby out to the side of the pool when she may have just needed comforting?? In the cold??? CRAZY.
I think it is a good thing and should be encouraged.

I definitely would do this with my dc if I had the ability to so.

I really am shocked at people who say they are pro bfeeding but are against this. And the arguements against they come out with, I find illogical and bloody ridiculous.

[Dobbiesmum]

Stupid Question Alert
Given that I was raised with the whole 'don't go swimming straight after food or you will get cramps and drown' type of thing is it actually safe for small stomachs to be eating in the pool?
I'm well aware that it really is a daft thing to ask but having had 30 plus years of that particular gem of knowledge I really do need to ask more knowledgeable people...
Otherwise, not a problem for me at all, feeding baby versus upset hungry baby? No contest there, feed the baby

[Seff]

Any reason given not to breastfeed in a pool can also be used to say no babies should be in a swimming pool at all.