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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:
Whiskwarrior · 29/05/2014 12:27

Shanghi - you have no argument! You're saying a crying, hungry baby should be made to wait because some people are uncomfortable with it being fed immediately? If there is no need for baby to wait, then why should baby wait?

Just because you're uncomfortable with something that does not mean people have to bow down to your wishes.

Your opinion counts for nothing.

Softlysoftlycatchymonkey · 29/05/2014 12:27

Yes really catsize . But if you want to start a thread about baby submersion and involuntary breath holding, rather than hijacking this thread, then I'd happily join you on there and discuss why I /we don't advocate it. Smile

5madthings · 29/05/2014 12:27

The ruling made and linked to in the analytical armadillo link states the law must be followed and there are no health and safety reasons why women can't bfeed in a pool.

Re bottlefed babies, I could tell when my babies were going to need a feed so I made the bottle a bit before so no waiting and babies don't just breast feed for hunger.

NiceCupOfTeaAndAPartyRing · 29/05/2014 12:27

How awful and humliating for the mum.

Feenie · 29/05/2014 12:30

But why would anyone make their baby wait to be fed and/or comforted because of bizarre opinions like your Greggs pasty example, particularly when the law is on their side?

Why are all the text speak/ungrammatical/hun posts from people who believe no one should be allowed to bfeed in a pool - what a strange correlation. I wonder what it means?

SquirrelledAway · 29/05/2014 12:32

It doesn't make it less likely to happen, it just means that it can be contained before entering the water.

I know that the pool that I use has more stringent contamination rules than most pools, but that also means that it requires less chemical dosing than pools with less stringent operating procedures.

Whiskwarrior · 29/05/2014 12:32

I love a Greggs sausage roll - and have eaten them in the street quite happily before now.

I am gutted that where I now live there is no Greggs.

I am clearly from the gutter and going to hell Grin

BeCool · 29/05/2014 12:32

so Squirrels argument is you shouldn't BF in a pool because of ALL THE VOMIT.

It must be just as likely that a baby whether BF or not can vomit at any anytime. If they have just been fed a bottle of formula in the pools toilet they can vomit that feed back up.

so that that line of argument isn't valid at all.

Besides it doesn't matter what you think as Mum's can legally BF anywhere they want to.

shanghidawn · 29/05/2014 12:33

When did I say people are uncomfortable? I said it was not appropriate place to be fed regardless of bottle or breast fed. Read my posts pls.
My opinions count for something if you want to read it properly. Not once did I say I was uncomfortable. I think breastfeeding is best for babies and support it tho do think social rules and common sense should apply to all.
And when do you suggest you start making babies wait for food?

Whiskwarrior · 29/05/2014 12:34

Oh, I know!

Everyone should have their stomach pumped before swimming. That way no one will vomit in the pool.

Do I win the internet?

shanghidawn · 29/05/2014 12:34

Ha ha! Learn to read whisk and then come back with a comment!

5madthings · 29/05/2014 12:34

Legally your pool cannot stop women bfeeding in the pool squirrelled.

Babies can be sick, regardless of whether they feed in the pool or not, unless you are going to try and ban babies in the pool it's a risk that is unavoidable.

5madthings · 29/05/2014 12:36

shang you can think it's not appropriate but the law disagrees and many baby swim instructors also disagree.

Whiskwarrior · 29/05/2014 12:36

So why is it inappropriate? Please explain that. It's quite a vague word to use. What's inappropriate about it exactly?

And different people parent differently. Therefore some people don't like to make their baby wait to be fed. And why should they? Because you don't think it's appropriate?

Sorry, but against the law your opinion means diddly squat.

BeCool · 29/05/2014 12:36

you'd have to ban small children too - my 3yo has been sick in the pool after swallowing pool water. (Probably because it had some breast milk leakage in it - you know how horrible that is)

Whiskwarrior · 29/05/2014 12:37

Eh? I can read, obviously, or I wouldn't be here.

Learn to have a constructive argument, rather than just 'I don't like it because I was brought up in a restricted environment and like to look down my nose at people I see as beneath me'.

5madthings · 29/05/2014 12:39

Babies naturally learn to wait for food/comfort, they grow out of the need to be fed frequently, as they get older and can talk and understand having to wait a minute etc. There may be times a baby has to wait, but a swimming pool isn't one of those so I wouldn't make them.

I never left my babies to cry I comforted them or nursed them etc, even with five children I didn't leave a baby to cry. I used a sling and I juggled things. There are little for short period of time and I met their needs asap in that time, not unusual amongst people I know.

BeCool · 29/05/2014 12:42

that is the whole thing about these threads.

All the people who feel uncomfortable by BF, or would do this/that in stead, or think this is more appropriate, or think it's gross or unhygenic, or think BF will infect everyone with HIV, or support BF really but only in 'appropriate' places - your opinion doesn't matter at all.

thankfully your opinion it is really completely totally irrelevant.

shanghidawn · 29/05/2014 12:43

I think its an appropriate place if others can do the same with bottle-fed/normal food. Would you feed on a roller coaster? That is public? Nope because common sense tells you it is not appropriate! Some ppl think that just because you can means that it is appropriate. I won't give another example of something u can do but that is inappropriate because ppl can't distinguish between an example and opinion.
The law means you can not ask someone to leave. When did I ask someone to leave or suggest doing so?

shanghidawn · 29/05/2014 12:44

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.

Oh so this says I would not be offended....but you read that I assume so just think your comment was to be argumentative...there that better?

LaurieMarlow · 29/05/2014 12:44

First of all, we know where the law stands, the point doesn't need to be made in every single post. It is, however, okay to privately disagree with the stance the law has taken - this is still allowed in a democracy.

Secondly, I think SquirrelledAway's point is more that it makes sense to minimise activities that could lead to water contamination. Of course we can't guard against all eventualities, but forbidding eating/drinking in the pool is one means and some would say that it's not inappropriate to include breast feeding within that.

Whiskwarrior · 29/05/2014 12:46

Would you feed on a roller coaster?

Would you take a baby on a roller coaster? Who would do that? And how is a swimming pool even remotely comparable?

As I said, you have no argument.

I won't give another example of something u can do but that is inappropriate because ppl can't distinguish between an example and opinion.

Or because your argument has no legs perhaps?

LaurieMarlow · 29/05/2014 12:47

*All the people who feel uncomfortable by BF, or would do this/that in stead, or think this is more appropriate, - your opinion doesn't matter at all.

thankfully your opinion it is really completely totally irrelevant.*

Why such an angry tone? And why can't we have a civilised discussion about it?

TheScience · 29/05/2014 12:47

Squirrelled but a baby doesn't posset during or immediately after a feed, does it? Feeding the baby on the side then getting back in the pool carries exactly the same risk of vomit in the pool as feeding the baby on the steps Confused

5madthings · 29/05/2014 12:47

You wouldn't feed on a roller coaster because you can't take a baby on a rollercoaster due to safety restrictions and height rulings etc, stupid comparison.

If it's a ride suitable for a small baby or toddler then yes I would, actually I fed ds2 on a very sedate children's version of a teacup ride, I was in it with him and ds1. Ds2 was about 13mths and got grizzly and wanted a feed. He was sat on my lap anyway so feeding him was the natural thing to do.