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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:
Igggi · 29/05/2014 14:13

Incredulous, you re-registered just to post on a bf thread, when you don't like confrontation? Hmm

Ioethe · 29/05/2014 14:22

This will not end well.

BoffinMum · 29/05/2014 14:27

Nobody has pointed out that she may well have had other children swimming in the pool, and going elsewhere to feed would have meant dragging the other kids out, taking them to the lockers, getting towels, sitting them down where she was sitting, keeping them entertained whilst they were cold and wet and baby was feeding, and then reversing the whole procedure in order to get back in the pool 20 minutes later. Stress city.

And why the fuck should she have to do this, when giving a quick feed affects nobody and does no harm at all? It's between her and the baby. None of your business, OP, and also illegal for the lifeguard to attempt to stop her feeding there.

In Germany and France people feed all over the place and certainly wouldn't dream of relocating in order to feed. They just sit by the side of the pool or sea or whatever.

And to bang on about all eating and drinking being banned is disingenuous. Swimming clubs allow people to have a bottle of water by the side if they are doing 50 lengths at speed, as it's necessary for sports health purposes. This is in the same league as there are no crumbs or spillages to wipe up and nothing the chlorine couldn't take care of anyway.

People need to start worrying about bigger things, like loads of pools being closed in the aftermath of the credit crunch, not going all 1950s every time someone feeds a baby near one.

BoffinMum · 29/05/2014 14:28

What is sock puppeting? Is it the same as trolling?

BeCool · 29/05/2014 14:31

Boffin the point re other DC was made a couple of times upthread. Ignored of course.

I think sock puppetting is when you change usernames to pretend to be 2 or more poster on the same thread.

pianodoodle · 29/05/2014 14:32

The pool was being used by lots of families with children who were making comments & staring as she wasn't covered in any way.

Wtf does that have to do with anything?

She doesn't have to be covered!

BoffinMum · 29/05/2014 14:32

Have people nothing else to do with their time than play different roles in the same thread??

Abra1d · 29/05/2014 14:32

It's one person adopting multiple personae on a thread. So I post as Abra1d then come back under another ID to make it look as though someone else agrees with me.

Tempting, sometimes . . .!

BeCool · 29/05/2014 14:32

from Wikipedia "A sockpuppet is an online identity used for purposes of deception. The term, a reference to the manipulation of a simple hand puppet made from a sock, originally referred to a false identity assumed by a member of an Internet community who spoke to, or about, themselves while pretending to be another person.[1] The term now includes other misleading uses of online identities, such as those created to praise, defend or support a person or organization,[2] or to circumvent a suspension or ban from a website. A significant difference between the use of a pseudonym[3] and the creation of a sockpuppet is that the sockpuppet poses as an independent third-party unaffiliated with the puppeteer. Many online communities attempt to block sockpuppets."

To think you shouldn't breastfeed in a swimming pool
Abra1d · 29/05/2014 14:33

Oh, and just to make it clear, I have not posted on this thread before now and my last comment was not intended seriously, etc, etc.

BeCool · 29/05/2014 14:34

I just couldnt keep track!!

Abra1d · 29/05/2014 14:36

I suspect I would give myself away PDQ.

Only1scoop · 29/05/2014 14:36

I didn't realise that is what 'sock puppeting' was either....

So tonight Mathew....I'm gna be....Grin

Thanks for that

Now back to the nitty grittyBlush

Abra1d · 29/05/2014 14:37

... as I was saying just this morning to the red fabric creature on my left hand.

AND HE THINKS I AM RIGHT AND ALWAYS WILL BE.

shanghidawn · 29/05/2014 14:37

There is only one of me....sorry to disappoint!

BoffinMum · 29/05/2014 14:41

I thought it was something to do with wank socks.
I must spend too much time on MN.
I'll be wondering about sock beakering next.

BoffinMum · 29/05/2014 14:42

I too want a sock puppet. My life would be complete.

Only1scoop · 29/05/2014 14:44

I'm popping back as Punch n Scoopy.... Watch out

BeCool · 29/05/2014 14:47

just for Boffin

To think you shouldn't breastfeed in a swimming pool
BonjourMinou · 29/05/2014 15:00

Just to say I agree with everyone who said she should have been left in peace to bf - surely that's the whole point of demand feeding? (Typing as I feed to illustrate...) more importantly, I'm now off to google how to make a sock puppet, because I have loads of odd socks and I think DD would enjoy!!!!!!!

TheRealAmandaClarke · 29/05/2014 15:11

Yes, it's outrageous that she was made to leave. Wtf is wrong with ppl?
A baby being fed. How shocking/ unhygienic - not.

Icimoi · 29/05/2014 15:23

As I said, if the mother is in the pool with other children I don't think they can be safely supervised if you are concentrating on a feed.

And yet mothers of breastfeeding babies with older children have to do that all day every day all over the country. How do all those children conceivably survive if they can't be safely supervised whilst their siblings are being fed?

knickernicker · 29/05/2014 15:32

Mumsnet world is not always a reflection of the real world. Not many breast feeding mums would choose to feed on pool steps. Whether or not people find it acceptable, I think there are few people who wouldn't feel exposed in that situation.

TheScience · 29/05/2014 15:41

Er... am I missing something or does it not matter whether anyone else would choose to feed in a pool?

SuperFlyHigh · 29/05/2014 15:50

As a non mother (please don't set fire to me!) it's really interesting to note the law on breastfeeding.

I don't mind generally when and where it's done. In fact going on convos here I recently asked my mum what her opinions were and she said she breast fed me (only for a short time because then she had to bottle feed) anywhere, anytime etc...

but I must point out that as a non mum you don't really get info in media unless its the hyped cases where people fly into a rage about it.

I was just more concerned as the steps in both my local pools are metal, non wide and certainly just for one person! for me if someone has get in and out of a pool with someone sitting on steps there is a slip hazard. Are we then saying that if I pass someone breastfeeding on steps, I can't hold on to rails of steps (due to said person being in the way) or I have to move beside her and slip THEN the BF woman automatically has the upper hand (or breast) as it were? say if I break my ankle. All the pools I visit there are seats etc at the side.... surely it's much easier to feed the baby there?!

awaits flames