I'm so pleased squatting posted the UNICEF BF rates...I couldn't find them.
I think all the cafe was trying to say was that they are a place where BF mums will feel welcome and comfortable to BF. They are not saying that FF mums, OAPs, students, children, men or anyone else not specifically mentioned are not welcome and should fuck right off, and we judge you FF mums for yee be the devils spawn etc etc.
I guess a more 'diomatic' wording would be "all welcome, please feel free to breast or bottle feed your little ones. Happy to assist how we can (warm up bottle, free tap water etc)" but I think to be honest this was all implied in the tone of the sign anyway, and the fact that it had a smiley face at the end (I've seen the actual sign on a different site).
When it comes to feeding your baby, I think both bf and ff mums feel judged by their method of feeding to some extent. I understand that lots of ff mums feel judged or pressurised by health professionals for not bfing (I used to work in HVing, it was my job to talk to mums about this sort of thing so I got told by a LOT of ff mums that they felt his way), but the thing is, HV, midwives etc are there to promote health. The scientific evidence shows that BF is both better for babies and for mums. Health professionals have to advise you on what is supported by science/evidence.
Just as health profs have to tell you not to smoke, not to drink to excess, not to overeat junk etc etc...they are duty-bound to give you this information. I agree they should not give you this information in a judgey-pants sort of way...but they would be doing you a disservice if they did not advise you on the healthiest option.
The fact that this makes people feel guilty when they don't/can't follow this advice does not stop it being true. That is the point about facts. They are facts even if you choose not to believe them. I digress.....I think to some extent some FF mums carry a bit of guilt around because of this which does lead to being a little on the defensive when interpreting messages about BFing. But the fact is that BF is the healthier way of feeding your baby and should be encouraged/promoted wherever possible, as BF rates in the uk are appallingly low (not that formula milk isn't an excellent alternative!!!! And thank goodness for formula milk! I hasten to add! For think of all those poor babies who would have died/failed to thrive prior to its invention if they did not have such an alternative. For let's remember that formula milk is NOT poison!! It is a very sophisticated engineered feeding alternative...and let's be honest, when you walk down the street and look at the adults around you, who can tell who was BF or FF as a baby??!?!???!)
I think everyone needs to just let people get on with whatever they're doing and not judge. FF mums shouldn't be made to feel that their choices are looked down on, by anyone including BFing mums (who can sometimes be a bit judgey in my experience!!!!) just like BF mums shouldn't be made to 'apologise' for BFing or be made to feel so uncomfortable they have to do it in the f'king toilets!
Peace to all 