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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to breastfeed my toddler when in a lesson?

52 replies

ikeaismylocal · 21/08/2014 19:36

Ds's nursery is shut next Monday, I have a 2 hour lesson in the afternoon and my plan is to put him down for his nap in his pushchair on the way to the class, he'll probably sleep between 1.5 and 2 hours, lots of people do this and then leave if the child/baby wakes or is upset.

If ds wakes before the end of the lesson would I be unreasonable to breastfeed him? I'd get another half an hour of silence out of him if he's feeding.

It's a class of people from all different cultures, many of the other women wear head/facial coverings, I'm not sure if this is relevant or not.

OP posts:
TheRealAmandaClarke · 21/08/2014 19:38

I would.
Are you the teacher?

paxtecum · 21/08/2014 19:40

Is the class all women?

ShatnersBassoon · 21/08/2014 19:40

If it's the norm for people to take their children with them I don't imagine that anyone would care.

1sneezecakesmum · 21/08/2014 19:41

Provided it's not a driving lesson no one will be bothered! Grin

AnythingNotEverything · 21/08/2014 19:43

If your child is allowed to be there, then you are legally allowed to feed him.

LiberalLibertines · 21/08/2014 19:43

Sit at the back no-one will notice.

If I was in the class I wouldn't give a rat's wank.

LapsedTwentysomething · 21/08/2014 19:43

YANBU to bf in a lesson if itger people take their babies but that does seem a bit of a distracting arrangement for learning (having babies there at all, I mean).

Branleuse · 21/08/2014 19:44

i would. If other people take children sometimes then its no big step up to breastfeed. If anyone is shocked thats not really your problem

Softlysoftlycatchymonkey · 21/08/2014 19:44

I don't see what the problem would be, if the baby is being quiet go for it. What kind of lesson is it. I'd be worried about someone complaining it the tutor directing me to some where 'appropriate' like some toilets or something Hmm

LEMmingaround · 21/08/2014 19:45

If you are the teacher it might be a bit offputting, but otherwise, no problem

LittleBearPad · 21/08/2014 19:47

Are you the teacher? If so it might be distracting but otherwise rock on

TheRealAmandaClarke · 21/08/2014 19:49

sneezecakesmum Grin

Original poster
ikeaismylocal · 21/08/2014 19:53

I should have said, I'm a student not teacher. People do sometimes take babies or children when childcare falls through, I wouldn't let him run about or shout but if he's sleeping or silently feeding he won't be too distracting.

It's a mixed class with men and women, the majority are women but there are maybe 5 men.

OP posts:
MimiSunshine · 21/08/2014 19:55

Depends what kind of class / environment it is. I'll be honest if this had happend in my uni seminars I'd have found it odd and distracting. Lectures maybe less so if you were at the back.

And how old is your toddler? There's a big difference between tucking a few month old baby in the crook of your arm and laying a 2yr old across your lap

Andrewofgg · 21/08/2014 19:56

1sneezecakemum Don't joke. I had a case before me in the magistrates' court of a woman who hit the van in front . . . driving while breastfeeding.

White van man jumped out, stated for a moment (in disbelief, I think, rather than in any improper way), turned his back and said "Right, finish up, then we are calling the law". The law was two women - and I still wonder whether two men might not have given her a fatherly bollocking and sent her on her way. In any case, these two were not having it; careless driving, three points and a fine!

KatharineClover · 21/08/2014 19:58

Is it a family learning class? I ask because I regularly have parents bring young children into my adult literacy lessons. As a tutor, I think BFing your child is an excellent idea as it would prevent you from missing some of the learning which you would do if you chose to leave instead.

SchroSawMargeryDaw · 21/08/2014 19:59

Was there not a thread almost identical to this a while ago, only it was the teacher posting? The woman was expressing in class though, not actually feeding a baby.

Apparently there had been lots of complaints and the teacher was trying to figure out if she could/should stop her.

Andrewofgg · 21/08/2014 20:02

More seriously paxtecum if there are men in the class so what? Should OP miss a session or should they? I'm going to assume that they won't act offensively - why should OP and they not both be there?

Chunderella · 21/08/2014 20:02

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

HippyPottyMouth · 21/08/2014 20:03

Schro, I remember that one. I think this situation is very different, it's a one-off, feeding is much less intrusive than pumping, with no mechanical noises, and there's no suggestion in the OP that she'd be engaging in group work while doing it. Odds are nobody would notice.

SchroSawMargeryDaw · 21/08/2014 20:05

I don't think the OP is BU btw, just that views of the class may be the same. I would do it in her position though as if the baby is quiet and feeding, no one should really be interrupted by it. :)

hollie84 · 21/08/2014 20:05

If children can be in there, and the child is either asleep or feeding quietly, then I don't see the problem.

Sallyingforth · 21/08/2014 20:08

If you are allowed to have your baby with you, you can feed her there. End of.

Gruntfuttock · 21/08/2014 20:09

How old is he btw? Is he likely to scream and make a racket if you don't breatsfeed him?

Gruntfuttock · 21/08/2014 20:09

'scuse typo.