AIBU to think that 'breastfeeding welcome here' stickers here aren't necessary?

[freezation]

Just that really. Why are they needed? The lack of a sticker could put someone off breastfeeding when they need to. I don't understand the point of them. It's not helping to normalise breastfeeding.

But we shouldn't neeeeed the stickers (said in a really whiny voice as I grudgingly begin to accept that maybe there will always be people who see breastfeeding in public as akin to going to the toilet and will never change!).

I would think that it's another form of building business. If there are two cafes opposite each other, you want a coffee while breastfeeding your child, and one has the sticker and one doesn't, which are you more likely to choose?

I'm a contrary bugger so Id choose the cafe without the sticker in the hope someone would challenge me!!

I think that stickers perpetuate a taboo that shouldn't be there. I was in John Lewis recently with a dear friend changing our dds' nappies in their baby change room. I was amazed that they have signs on the wall labelling the bottle feeding area (right by the changing mats, yuck), and then a separate dingy little alcove labelled 'breastfeeding area'. Honestly it's as if breastfeeders might even offend bottle feeders and bum changers, so we'd better hide them in a corner. I know that's obviously not the intention behind it but even so, it pissed me right off.

I'll breastfeed wherever I damn well please thanks! And I don't see why dd should have her lunch in the toilet when I get to sit in their oh so ambient cafe.

especially if the nursling is past the

Ah thats soo cute, I have never heard that word before....nursling

I think the stickers are probably more for people who may want to moan/complain/give looks. I look at them more as a "you're comments aren't welcome here" type thing.

However, I have fed in a childrens A+E waiting room with one of those stickers, got tuts and comments from a couple of young women sitting waiting on someone and told the staff... They moved me to a private room where I would "have more privacy". :( T'was not what I needed with a teeny preemie and my first time feeding outside home.

Honestly it's as if breastfeeders might even offend bottle feeders and bum changers, so we'd better hide them in a corner. I know that's obviously not the intention behind it but even so, it pissed me right off

I interpret that as BF getting their babs out, may want some privacy esp from male baby changers?

Mindthe A shopping centre here has the seperate areas too, but it's actually really pretty and has a tv! Still a bit odd to have 2 seperate areas though.

We shouldn't need them but we do. There are arseholes about who will make snide comments. The more stickers the better, IMO.

minthegap I once complained to john lewis about their "feeding area" (bottle and breast) being in the same room as 2 changing mats and a stinking nappy bin. Which reminds me that I never heard back from them . Maybe time to complain again?!
bonadea I'd do the same! When I started breastfeeding I didn't notice the stickers and now when I do the weirdo in me gets a bit uppity!

fleur once an arsehole, always an arsehole. No amount of stickers will stop snide comments from ignorant twats.

The only place I have seen one is in my GP's waiting room, but I don't go looking for them, tbh.

My kids are 19&17 now, when DS2 was a baby he needed feeding after his jabs. I was asked if I wanted to move to another room, we were at the baby clinic (at a different GP surgery). I declined and fed him in the waiting room.

Yabu

So true, and you can bet that lots of those anti-breastfeeding arses are fans of a certain type of tabloid. If only they understood irony.

I know that some women prefer a private place to breastfeed and have no problem with that - even more reason for them to be a comfortable room to do it on, and not a toilet alcove.

And just in case you haven't realised I think YADNBU :)

I like it. I think it's more saying "we got your back" in the event that some ignorant prick gives you a hard time.

Well at least that cancels out stampy's!

I'll feed anywhere, but I also think it's nice to see a sticker and know that bfing is actively welcome rather than just tolerated, and it does make me feel more relaxed.

I do see your point nunyabiz but it would be better for things to fundamentally change so that no one needs their back "got".

????

To me, they are welcome.

I breastfed for 7 months, and the places who welcomed it were much more comfortable than those who didn't!?

Sorry stampy there were a few posts in between but I meant that mind the gap's YANBU cancelled out your YABU. Was being a bit flippant

I haven't seen many of these stickers around (am bf my 6 month old ds) but have fed in many public places and thankfully have never experienced any negativity. However some of my breastfeeding group friends have experienced comments and looks and they actively look for breastfeeding friendly areas in which to feed. Whilst I agree they shouldn't be necessary anything which helps women feel comfortable breastfeeding is useful.

YANBU!

There will always be people though who are ignorant unfortunately. Yes in an ideal world everyone will welcome and embrace nursing mothers, but until that day comes, I think it's nice to have the support of those who do have your back. I had a friend at my DD's birthday party breast feeding her DS while she was keeping an eye on her older DS. My other friend (not a parent) said rather audibly "would it be better for her to use the bedroom upstairs?"
She's not a nasty person- just completely ignorant.
I told her breast feeding can be very challenging and I'm glad my friend felt comfortable to do it openly in my home- and that not only would going upstairs mean she couldn't watch her other DS, why should she shut herself away?
I think she got the message I shouldn't have to have said anything in a perfect world, but it's just a simple matter of some people not being aware/socially conditioned.

Good point Nunyabiz - at least you did the right thing when you overheard your other friend's v unhelpful comment!