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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

In wanting to take a breastfeeding baby to Chelsea flower show

252 replies

roweeena · 01/12/2013 09:38

I was just about to book tickets to Chelsea flower show for my mum and sister as an Xmas present but I have just noticed that no under 5's allowed and no buggies.

I will have a breastfed 7month old who I will not be able to leave at home. I'm happy to carry in a sling - would I really be banned??

Does anyone else have experience of this - I'm shocked that children aren't allowed to be honest. Do you think they would make an exception for a breastfeeding baby?

My other son was a bottle refuser so I haven't tried with this one yet (can't be bothered with thefaff) so I doubt that leaving him with dad and a bottle will really be an option

OP posts:
VisualiseAHorse · 01/12/2013 09:42

They may count a 7 month old as a 'babe in arms' - I would ring them for clarification.

FuzzyWuzzywasaWoman · 01/12/2013 09:44

I'm guessing the rules will be to protect the displays from small picky hands, and the pathway/displays not being buggy friendly? So you should be okay with a sling, but always worth phoning ahead to check, otherwise don't go.

JeanSeberg · 01/12/2013 09:45

If the policy is no children, that's the end of it. The fact you're breast feeding is irrelevant. Have you phoned them to check?

Original poster
roweeena · 01/12/2013 09:46

No just checked apparently for reasons of 'safety' babes in arms aren't allowed either! Unbelievable

OP posts:
Original poster
roweeena · 01/12/2013 09:47

The rhs should be encouraging young people and children to garden not banning them - very very disappointed with their attitude

OP posts:
BobPatSamandIgglePiggle · 01/12/2013 09:48

Not unbelievable - if it's no kids it's no kids.

SomethingkindaOod · 01/12/2013 09:49

Never been to Chelsea but H&S could be because presumably the displays will have to be watered so slippy paths are a risk? However small that risk might be they will have to cover it.
YANBU to want to go, I'd love to but you might have to wait a while.

JeanSeberg · 01/12/2013 09:52

Roweena - failing to see how a 7-month old could be encouraged to garden.

Over 5s are fine and that's an age when they can start to be more practically involved.

OP - if the present's for your mum and sister, let them enjoy the day and meet them after for dinner.

Sirzy · 01/12/2013 09:54

I think a no under 5s rule is fair enough. DS is 4 and does enjoy digging up plants gardening but he is too young for something like Chelsea yet.

Spherical · 01/12/2013 09:54

I agree with you OP. I have been to Chelsea flower show albeit a few years ago and there was really no H&S reason I can think of to stop babes in arms. I suspect they are worried about some areas that do get very crowded - around the show gardens.

I would suggest you reconsider and get tickets for the Hampton court flower show which is much more family friendly because there is less emphasis on formality.

Ham69 · 01/12/2013 09:55

I'm shocked personally that you can't bring a baby in a sling. Mine were bottle refusers and went everywhere with me. Surely if the paths are that slippery then elderly people are at risk. Seems ridiculous to me.

HectorVector · 01/12/2013 09:55

Exactly what jean said.

DeepThought · 01/12/2013 09:56

Yabu

Ginformation · 01/12/2013 09:58

Try one of the other RHS shows. I have been to Tatton with a buggy, no probs and much less pretentious. Plus multiple opportunities to buy pants, unlike chelsea.Smile

NurseRoscoe · 01/12/2013 09:58

Sorry but YABU. A 7 month old baby isn't going to be interested in gardening and the Chelsea flower show isn't hands on anyway is it? I've never been so I'm not sure but if so then I doubt many under 5s will enjoy it too much anyway.

Not everywhere is child friendly, there are things I enjoy that children can't come to so they stay with somebody else (daddy, nanny or auntie) or I just don't go. There will be plenty of time to go when your son is older and not breast feeding any more. Or else just try a bottle of expressed milk, all babies are different and he won't necessarily be like your first.

I understand it's annoying but it's not really shocking or unbelievable. If it's only under 5s that are banned and not older children it's still encouraging kids that are old enough to show a real interest in gardening.

Ginformation · 01/12/2013 09:59

PLANTS! Not sure if pants are for sale too...

NurseRoscoe · 01/12/2013 10:00

Sorry for x post and basically repeating what Jean said!

catsrus · 01/12/2013 10:02

THose are the rules I'm afraid - and to be honest you would not want to take a baby, especially in a sling, it's a cattle crush at some points. Buggies would be really dangerous - think football crowd in twinset and pearls! I would suggest you go to Hampton Court Flower show instead - a much nicer experience, the same displayss and many of the same show gardens - but at HC you actually get to SEE them!

SoftSheen · 01/12/2013 10:04

I've been to Chelsea Flower show and it is lovely, but definitely not an event for children. Although older children are allowed, there were hardly any there and no specific facilities. It is an adult event, with an adult atmosphere.

Ham69 · 01/12/2013 10:05

Grin at Gin's multiple opportunities to buy pants!

Original poster
roweeena · 01/12/2013 10:05

Ok so kids over 5 can go and maybe my 7 month old isn't interested but I really can't see why a baby in a sling can't go - I will look at Hampton court instead. Very disappointed that having a baby means I can't attend an event (not going to fork out £100+ on the off chance DS will take the bottle)

OP posts:
Original poster
roweeena · 01/12/2013 10:07

Ok Chelsea sounds a bit horrendous generally then - off to Hampton to buy pants!!Smile

OP posts:
HappyAsASandboy · 01/12/2013 10:08

I second (third? Fourth?!) the suggestion of Hampton Court instead. You will have a lovely day out there with a baby in a sling :)

I would recommend a sling rather than a pushchair as some areas are crowded and the paths are not always pushchair-friendly if it been raining. My sister brought my nephew to HC in a sling and it worked very well :)

Sirzy · 01/12/2013 10:10

Unfortunatly sometimes having children means you have to change plans and not do things you would like. Thats what happens, not everything is child friendly.

Spherical · 01/12/2013 10:10

Hampton court is big and spread out so take buggy

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