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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think you shouldn't breastfeed in a swimming pool

539 replies

HappierThanEverBefore · 28/05/2014 20:13

Went swimming today & as I was walking to the steps there was a lady sitting on them breastfeeding.

I carried on as if nothing was wrong but the mentioned it to the life guard as I walked out. The lady looked disgusted that she was told to stop or carry on else where

AIBU to think it's wrong to breastfeed in the swimming pool

OP posts:
SaltySeaBird · 29/05/2014 09:44

I never said it was okay for somebody to ask the mother to stop feeding in the pool. I that sense the OP was being unreasonable. I've never said that at all. I've very pro-breastfeeding and fully support the right to breastfeed in any public place.

I still maintain my personal opinion that some places are more suitable that others and given the choice I wouldn't feed in the water, sitting on the steps of the pool. I'm allowed to have that opinion.

SaltySeaBird · 29/05/2014 09:45

For the record the steps at my local pool are narrower than a supermarket aisle.

TheRealAmandaClarke · 29/05/2014 09:47

Yes of course you're allowed that opinion, or any other.
But as this is an aibu about a woman being asked to not bf in a particular place I thought it was an issue worth clarifying.

TheRealAmandaClarke · 29/05/2014 09:49

If someone is blocking the pool exit/ entrance then that's not on.
But it's not a bf issue.
It's "aibu to think ppl shouldn't block the steps?"

GoblinLittleOwl · 29/05/2014 09:52

Why should someone have to stop doing something completely natural and normal just because you feel uncomfortable?
There's your answer: it makes other people uncomfortable. What is wrong in considering other people's feelings as well as your own?

Only1scoop · 29/05/2014 09:56

Surely somewhere a little more private than steps actually into the pool would be more suitable to feed baby.

Feenie · 29/05/2014 09:58

Why does it have to be private?

TheScience · 29/05/2014 10:04

Being black or being gay makes some feel uncomfortable. It's not always worth taking other people's feelings into consideration.

I haven't ever felt the need to go somewhere "private" to breastfeed Only, why would I? Why is private more "suitable"?

BeCool · 29/05/2014 10:06

I PERSONALLY don't feel that IN the pool is the best place to do it.

Why on earth would what you feel PERSONALLY is the BEST place to BF be at all relevant?

It is just a place to BF. It is just a place where a baby wanted to feed and the mother fed.

Do you counsel new mothers to only feed in the BEST possible place at any one time? I certainly hope not.

Considering the many hours you devote to volunteering to support new mothers, I think you might need a rethink as to what message about BF you are actually giving as there seems to be a big disconnect going on.

Goblin how about considering the baby's feelings. Not just feeling a little humpy or miffed because someone is offending you by feeding their baby, but you know, feelings of actual hunger, thirst, perhaps distress. If feelings are going to be considered, how about those?

SuperFlyHigh · 29/05/2014 10:09

A similar post happened a few months ago on this same topic!

Number 1 - the woman should not be sitting on the steps as this is obstructing another person's exit/entry to/from the pool.

Number 2 - no - sorry if you need to breastfeed do it out of the pool. surely one doesn't want breastmilk in the pool/on steps etc?

LaurieMarlow · 29/05/2014 10:13

I don't think it's appropriate for older children/adults to eat or drink in the pool, so I don't see why breast feeding should be different. Fine to do it on the side or in the changing rooms, but not actually in the pool or on the steps.

Feenie · 29/05/2014 10:13

Why does one feel that breastfeeding turns one into giant colander?

And have you actually RTFT?

Feenie · 29/05/2014 10:15

Because bfeeding IS different, as has been explained many times now.

5madthings · 29/05/2014 10:16

She wasn't blocking the steps they were wide enough for others to get past, the op has already Saud that. Many pools have steps the whole width if the pool at the shallow end or a slope down into the water, it's a great place to bfeed actually as you can keep baby mainly under water and so warm and in my case watch elder children.

Breastmilk will be in the pool regardless, lactating boobs leaks! And really bmilk Is the least of your worries re stuff in a pool.

I posted a really good link by analytical Amarillo that covers all these spurious arguments and more, please do read it!

SuperFlyHigh · 29/05/2014 10:16

Feenie - I've read the vast majority of the thread....

and the main points are spelled out loud and clear. plus there was a similar thread a few months back I'm sure the points are moreorless the same.

SuperFlyHigh · 29/05/2014 10:17

5madthings if I or anyone else had slipped when trying to pass anyone on the steps I'd be furious.

I'm sure the pool's H&S policy etc has rules for blocking the steps.

5madthings · 29/05/2014 10:17

www.analyticalarmadillo.co.uk/2013/08/breastfeeding-in-swimming-pools.html?m=1

Here you just for those that missed it.

5madthings · 29/05/2014 10:20

If she was blocking the steps but she wasn't the op Said that. So no blocking steps is not ok but she wasn't, feeding in pool is fine and your 'points' are answered many times over, it doesn't matter what you think women are allowed to feed in a pool.

TheRealAmandaClarke · 29/05/2014 10:26

Yy 5madthings

if I or anyone else slipped not he steps I'd be furious Grin
I think this is beautiful example of just making shit up to be annoyed about bf in public.

There is no medical reason to not offer a baby a bf in this situation.
The baby is protected by law.

Thats really all there is to it.

Op YAbu

candycoatedwaterdrops · 29/05/2014 10:32

Having never breasted, I always imagined a breastfeeding mum squirting breastmilk into the water while feeding. However, after being corrected on here and after someone very kindly Shock listing the stuff that is probably already in the water anyway, I changed my opinion and decided never to go swimming again.

OwlCapone · 29/05/2014 10:34

surely one doesn't want breastmilk in the pool/on steps etc?

How about wee? Or other bodily fluids? Because they are in there too. In far greater quantities than breast milk.

MrsCakesPremonition · 29/05/2014 10:34

candy - I love the idea that swimming in poo and wee is fine, but a bit of breastmilk is beyond the pale.

Foodylicious · 29/05/2014 10:38

You need to challenge yourself about just what was making you uncomfortable.
personally I would have found hearing you complain really uncomfortable if I was that woman or another of the swimmers.
If others were 'staring' then thats their issue, and being exposed to 'shock horror' a baby eating whilst its mums feet were wet, well they can get over that too.

how pompous of you to think you had any right to complain.

Hope this does not put het off swimming with her little one or bfing in public.

frasersmummy · 29/05/2014 10:39

the rules say no eating or drinking in the pool.. why is breastfeeding different ..??

TheScience · 29/05/2014 10:41

I've never squirted breastmilk in my life Grin