Told to stop breastfeeding

[cinnamonbun]

Took my two children (DD 4 and DS 4 months) to soft play at my local leisure centre today. While DD played I sat down to BF my little one. A few minutes in a (female) staff member came and said I had to stop. I was stunned and asked her why. She said because there were children around and her manager had said so. I had a long scarf wrapped around my boob so it was definitely not on display. I feel both angry and ashamed. This was only the 3rd time I've BF in public (I never dared to with my DD) and now I don't want to do it again.

[seafoodudon]

OOoh yes,I used katese's blog a few months ago.

[ThingsThatGoBumpInTheNight]

Sorry if already suggested but tell your health visitor. In our area they visit establishment and point out the law on your behalf
I've had loud arguments over my right to bf and always won

[BigBirthdayGloom]

Nothing to add really, except keep at it op. It's pretty unlucky to get the response you did to bf in public. Most people don't notice, don't care, try not to look in case you feel self conscious, tell you you're doing a good job, tell you anectdotes about their bf experience or any number of neutral or positive responses. Mostly, somewhat disappointingly, especially when you're in a "hooray I've cracked this moment, the first two!

[Lullabyte]

Hey katese, your blog on the Horniman Museum helped us plan our day out for tomorrow - thank you!

(please excuse the hijack)

OP - Hope all the supportive MN responses will help repair your bf-in-public confidence. Don't give up on the Swiss Cottage Leisure Centre, either. It's a super local resource and soon to have newly re-trained staff, too...

[scottishmummy]

Good speedy resolution to op post

[ElBombero]

Curlew

[PrincessFlirtyPants]

Glad it's been resolved for you, OP.

I hope it hasn't put you off

[scottishmummy]

I dont recall you,nor your posts,unlike you I have no gripe to enact

[curlew]

Oops, sorry. Please insert allegedly......

[scottishmummy]

Naturally I'd dispute that personal attack curlew,hardly objective,insignificant

[curlew]

katase- if you're not a regular on here, you need to know that scottishmummy, for reasons known only to herself, enjoys trying to make people feel crappy- it's kinda her thing. Rise above her. It's easy- you don't have to go very high!

[ElBombero]

Katese11 don't feel crappy, not sure why your post was taken that way

[katese11]

OP, forget I said anything

[katese11]

Thanks scottishmummy...yes, I'm just trying to cash in on the OP's pain, not help her or other bfeeding mothers in any way

I blog a lot about soft plays. I blog a lot about breastfeeding. I blog a lot about London. IF the OP wanted me to flag this up for her, I was happy to help. That's all. But thanks again, for making me feel crappy.

[scottishmummy]

How very opportunistic,you want to blog,get readers about someone else experience?

[katese11]

Well done LBC :) Quick and measured response.

OP, I blog on things to do with toddlers in London, and am very pro-breastfeeding in public (it's kinda a necessity when you have a newborn and an active preschooler!). If you'd like me to blog about it, drop me a line at londonwithatoddler at gmail.com

[scottishmummy]

I think people are wilfully misread in the GLL response,it posted less than 3hr after op
In fairness GLL and council had responded promptly.
it's nit picky and looking for reason to prolong gripe to read too much into the wording

[FreeWee]

Kudos to Camden & GLL for having the balls to post on this thread. Echoing other posters sentiments that GLL 'allowing' BFing in their centres as 'company policy' is a bit given the right is enshrined in law regardless of company policy. Suggests there's a bit of retraining all round required.

Cinnamon it is amazing that your breasts make all the nutrients your baby needs for the first 6 months of his life. Don't let this uncomfortable incident get in the way of this naturally amazing phenomenon. Get out and about. Enjoy your baby and keep giving him everything he needs, when he needs it, wherever you are.

[edamsavestheday]

Glad Camden council and the leisure centre company have been quick to apologise. Let's hope they do make sure all staff, including managers, understand that there is a legal right to breastfeed - it's not just 'allowed', it's a right.

[NiceTabard]

OP I remember I was terribly nervous about BF out and about with my first, and really restricted where I went and what I did because of it.

The second one for some reason I was a lot more blasé!

Please don't let this put you off, you were so so so unlucky to get this reaction your "3rd time out", I never had anyone say anything bad to me. And in your neck of the woods things are generally pretty relaxed (I am N London too though a bit more sticks-wards!)

[NiceTabard]

Appalling situation.

Pleased to see both Camden and Leisure Centre giving unreserved apologies.

I think it would be lovely gesture if GLLCommsTeam contacted the OP via PM to arrange for a full annual membership pass for her & her family, by way of apology.

[eepie]

That's awful, how dare they ?!! Don't let it put you off, make a complaint for sure. Glad to learn that it's illegal for them to ask you to stop.

[Zipitydooda]

I have BF my 3 children all over N London (including Swiss Cottage Leisure Centre) and had nothing but smiles and positive comments. Never a criticism. Please don't let this put you off OP.

Personally, I think children need to see more of what breasts are actually for and the world would be a better place.

[spilttheteaagain]

Ah glad to see all resolved