To think you shouldn't breastfeed in a swimming pool

[HappierThanEverBefore]

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

Water contamination?

Go on.

Actually, I think we should just ban all people from swimming, ever.

That way, all pools will be kept pristine and there will be no poo/wee/snot/scabs/etc in any swimming pool. All pools should be kept in glass cases and people can look but not touch.

Alternatively, only b/f mothers and babies are allowed to go swimming and they must cease once baby stops b/feeding or mother stops producing milk.

This is the only sensible way forward.

Water contamination? From breast-milk? That well-known toxic fluid?

I think it is very patronising to suggest that people have no experience of a hungry baby and that they need feeding there and then. Babies can wait a few minutes...those few minutes it takes to get out of a pool, grab a towel to keep warm and then feed where others feed. Yes I have experience of hungry babies! Lots of them!

FFS, it's not the breastmilk - vomit can contain bacteria. That's why pools are closed after vomiting incidents.

But why does feeding on the side of the pool make vomit less likely than feeding on the steps? Babies don't possett during feeding.

Ahhh, I forgot how all babies are completely alike.

So because some babies can wait, all babies should wait?

Again, opinion matters not. Legally you can b/feed wherever and whenever you like.

Why are people not getting this? Every single other argument is null and void.

Squirrel - as I've asked you now (twice) - who is monitoring everyone else as they get into the pool? Who is checking when everyone else last ate?

No one. Why are you picking issues with babies?

I would suggest that you are using 'contamination' as an excuse for 'I don't like it!'.

All the babies I have ever supported with feeding have been able to wait for a few minutes. Yes they cry for a few minutes but its not the end of the world to cry for 2 or 3 minutes!
People aren't getting it because they opinions differ...and i suppose that is due to how ppl have been brought up. I would never eat in the streets...think eating a pasty from Greggs but that is because the way I have been brought up is that is what you don't do, tho lots of other ppl think it is fine. However I wouldn't say something to someone or be offended if they do it, I just would;t do it myself because of how I view it.

Shanghidawn, you are ignoring the fact that a baby may need to breastfeed for other reasons aside from hunger.

And that bfeeding is vastly different to a Greggs pasty

I personally don't see the point in making my baby cry for 3 minutes if it's not necessary. If it's only 3 minutes eg. sitting on the side of the pool then it's no different in hygiene terms to being in the pool.

Why leave my baby to cry at all, when I can just feed it?

whiskwarrior of course you can't monitor everyone entering the pool. Is it too much to expect people to follow the rules?

Whisk I don't generally care where anyone breastfeeds their baby. What I do care about is something that could impact on my business.

I did point out to you that when it comes to my swim school I will keep an eye out for anyone who looks unwell, and I have stopped unwell children from getting in the pool because of the need for pool closure after any vomiting / stool / diarrhea incidents.

Apparently, yes, since the rules that say you can breastfeed anywhere you want to are regularly questioned.

An example is different to an opinion too! Seriously...I never knew Greggs was different...was gonna ask for a breast milk pasty this aft!
So you mean to say that every time your baby cries you are there within a second and attend to it?!

My older dc would have to get out of the pool to stand shivering at the side too, as they can't stay in the pool without an adult.

Yes, I would say I pretty much was, shanghidawn - I fed on demand.

Is it too much to expect people to follow the rules?

Is it too much to ask people to realise that it is legal to b/feed a baby wherever and whenever you wish?

Squirrel - how do you monitor those who aren't unwell but ate within the last hour? You can't. And until you come up with a way to keep out everyone who may vomit, it's discriminating to keep a breastfeeding baby out in case they may vomit.

squirrel baby swim classes and instructors actually recommend you feed in the pool as it is comforting for them.

Regardless you cannot legally ask a woman to stop bfeeding in a pool.

Halth and safety law doesn't prevent prevent a woman from being able to bfeed, there isn't a risk.

Yes, obviously I attend to a crying baby immediately if possible! Why wouldn't you?

Squirrelled you still haven't explained why you believe that feeding on the side of the pool makes possetting in the pool less likely than feeding on the steps?

The point is it really doesn't matter about personal opinions or someone's upbringing you cannot tell someone they can't b/feed in/beside a pool because it's illegal.

There is really nothing to get or understand Shanghi - whether you agree with it or not is irrelevant. I understand that you don't like, I totally get that, but it's your opinion and it counts for nothing against the law.

If you wouldn't do it yourself, that's fine. If you're not supportive of others who do it unfortunately the law doesn't agree with you.

So when u were taking a poo? You attended your baby? Pretty much....that means to me not always then! Feeding on demand is not feeding that exact second it means reading the signals your baby tells you and feeding when they show them, however it does not mean exactly the second they show it. How do bottle fed babies cope with having to wait until their feed is made?