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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:
UnexpectedItemInShaggingArea · 01/12/2013 16:20

BlushSmile Thank you

fatlazymummy · 01/12/2013 16:21

soapbox you really don't see how babies are more at risk in these situations?
OK then, I guess you just have a different concept of child care to other people then.

soapboxqueen · 01/12/2013 16:22

Equality act 2010

Chapter 2 - prohibited conduct

discrimination

(6) If the protected characteristic is sex-

(a) less favourable treatment of a woman includes less favourable treatment of her because she is breastfeeding.

DoYouLikeMyBaubles · 01/12/2013 16:27

The breastfeeding point you have latched onto is a straw man. No-one can take their children under the age of five. No-one.

soapbox if a woman applied for a job and was refused because she stated she had to have her baby there because she has to breastfeed, would you see this as discrimination too?

Gileswithachainsaw · 01/12/2013 16:27

Hosting an OPTIONAL event that is potentially unsafe to small children and babies , where there r no facilities to Feed ANY baby, is NOT unfavourable to a woman breast feeding. She is welcome to continue breast feeding for as long as she likes and she can is free to leave at any point to go home and feed her baby.

If she chooses to never leave the baby or make it possible for anyone else to care for her baby then that's her choice and not anyone else's problem.

Gileswithachainsaw · 01/12/2013 16:28

Or to NOT make it possible

soapboxqueen · 01/12/2013 16:29

The level of injury is irrelevant. The point is if they are saying no small babies due to risk of injury they should be banning other groups too including the elderly.

Fwiw soft play centres manage to charge differently for different ages of children so I don't see why others can't.

Not everything is covered by discrimination laws. If it is then great. if not change the law and I'll argue with you.

soapboxqueen · 01/12/2013 16:31

The same rules do not apply to employment although you have the right to express at work or similar.

If the event is open to the public then it cannot discriminate with the exception of specific situations.

I'm not making this up people. It's like a law n' stuff.

UnexpectedItemInShaggingArea · 01/12/2013 16:34

No, actually Soap, you are making it up.

Gileswithachainsaw · 01/12/2013 16:34

Oh ffs a baby has no choice but to go if the mother takes it.

A frail 99yr old who any walk very well has the ability To decide for himself if going is a good idea.

As of course the level of injury is important. People sue. A baby could die as a result of being knocked out someone's arms or of the mum trips over and lands on it.

DoYouLikeMyBaubles · 01/12/2013 16:37

You can quote the law all you want but when you are misinterpreting it it doesn't help anyone.

Babies are banned from the workplace, they're also banned from the CFS. You're crying discrimination for the latter but not for the former, why? Using your logic, both are putting the breastfeeding woman at a disadvantage and are therefore unlawful (according to yourself)

I'm a massive breastfeeding advocate and fight for women's rights regarding this, but it's things like this that make us take steps back. When all logic and reason disappear because someone screams 'discrimination'.

IamInvisible · 01/12/2013 16:38

Did you not read my post, Soap?

Here it is again, just for you.

*This is from the glossary of terms on the Equality Act 2010 from the EHRC website

*Breastfeeding

When a woman feeds her baby with breast milk. Breastfeeding is specifically protected for the first 26 weeks after birth by the pregnancy and maternity discrimination provisions in relation to non-work cases.*

Also, she is not being prevented from BF because the baby is not allowed in. You have to be able to breastfeed anywhere where the baby is allowed to go.

soapboxqueen · 01/12/2013 16:38

Really? That government website said it was a law. I shall have to write to Mr Cameron and tell him you said so.

Caitlin17 · 01/12/2013 16:39

Soapbox you're completely ignoring the fact it is entirely legal to promote events which are "no under 5" events for no reason other than the organisers and / or the attendees don't want children there.

A babe in arms is safe at a seated concert but a babe in arms should not be at any concert not targeted at that age group.

DoYouLikeMyBaubles · 01/12/2013 16:39

And what then is your take on child free hotels? Restaurants? These are perfectly legal to do, as is this example, so I think you really do need to have another look at the law you think you know.

IamInvisible · 01/12/2013 16:42

I'm not saying it is law Soap. The glossary of terms, which is available so everyone can interpret the act says so. It is on the Equalities and Human Rights Act Website.

Caitlin17 · 01/12/2013 16:42

Soapbox you're completely ignoring the fact it is entirely legal to promote events which are "no children below a certain age" events for no reason other than the organisers and / or the attendees don't want children there.

A babe in arms is safe at a seated concert but a babe in arms should not be at a seated concert not targeted at that age group.

specialsubject · 01/12/2013 16:43

good luck bringing a discrimination case on this one. This year you can't go to one event, because you have a baby you can't leave.

the baby will start eating food and grow up, and the Chelsea Flower show will go on.

having kids means accepting 'no' at times.

I can't go to Chelsea Flower show, can't afford it. Should I petition to have the tickets given away free?

Caitlin17 · 01/12/2013 16:43

Sorry, stupid phone, double post.

DoYouLikeMyBaubles · 01/12/2013 16:44

I might complain because I have hayfever.

IamInvisible · 01/12/2013 16:49

Look at this

^(3)A person (A) discriminates against a woman if, in the period of 26 weeks beginning with the day on which she gives birth, A treats her unfavourably because she has given birth.

(4)The reference in subsection (3) to treating a woman unfavourably because she has given birth includes, in particular, a reference to treating her unfavourably because she is breast-feeding.^

It clearly states the period of time is 26 weeks.

soapboxqueen · 01/12/2013 16:51

After 26 weeks is covered by sex discrimination. Before that it is maternity.

IamInvisible · 01/12/2013 16:53

So the glossary of terms that says breastfeed is protected for 26 weeks is wrong is it? Are you Harriet Harman?

soapboxqueen · 01/12/2013 16:55

I'm not ignoring anything. There is absolutely exceptions in discrimination laws for those under 18.

I'm not saying it's advisable to go.

However, by not allowing the child in the mother is being treated less favourably.

HelloBoys · 01/12/2013 16:56

Why on earth are you being so entitled OP?!

Even if your DS could take the bottle he isn't allowed, for whatever reasons the RHS want to allow, because he's under 5. You've already been given a myriad of reasons why babies/children may not be allowed and other RHS options and Hampton court yet you insist on Chelsea. If you're that bothered ring RHS and bother their PR dept or write an outraged letter to Daily Wail.

Please get over yourself.