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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Original poster

breastfeeding in the supermarket

426 replies

wtfisgoingonhere · 04/07/2015 18:51

Ok so I'm all for breastfeeding and think all mums should (assuming mother/baby are able to) but WALKING AROUND SAINSBURYS breastfeeding. . . Seriously? ?

Maybe it's only me that's shocked and I am not a mum myself if that makes a difference.
Don't get me wrong I certainly disagree with mums being ushered into toilets and the like but I felt a bit of modesty could have avoided awkwardness for both mum and others she may come across.

I have no issue with nudity either, i enjoy sunbathing topless and strolling around my home in various states of undress but I couldn't imagine ever feeling comfortable doing this myself

The last thing I expected on a Saturday afternoon trip to sainsburys was to round the corner of an aisle to come face to face with a woman with her top down and FULL BOOB OUT (I saw nipple and all!) strolling down the home entertainment aisle feeding baby. Yes I know this is what they are intended for but when men aren't allowed to enter shirtless is this not a bit much? Had she been sat outside the store on the benches or in a cafe (if they had one) I guess i or anyone else wouldn't have batted an eyelid

Just interested in others opinions

Is this taking things a bit far or perhaps it is just a multitasking achievement extraordinaire?

OP posts:
coolaschmoola · 04/07/2015 21:34

Wonders where the op would deem 'appropriate'...

Luckily the law says,'everywhere' - including supermarkets. Hurrah!

RobbyBen · 04/07/2015 21:35

This reply has been deleted

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Sparklingbrook · 04/07/2015 21:36

Stop being such an arsehole RB.

coolaschmoola · 04/07/2015 21:36

Oh do fuck off dear.... Biscuit

sykadelic · 04/07/2015 21:37

As is obvious from this thread, there are soooo many people who are seeking to make breast feeding in public okay (in any situation) that challenging it or daring to admit you're uncomfortable with any aspect of it, isn't allowed. There are far too many people crazily dedicated to "the cause" that they dogmatically refuse to see the truth of the situation because they're too busy being defensive.

THIS IS NOT ABOUT BREAST FEEDING IN PUBLIC!

In the very strictest sense, the OP ran into a topless woman in the store and saw the woman's entire breast including her nipple. The OP deduced the woman had been breast feeding but states she wasn't at that moment in time (which is why she saw so much). A topless woman should not have been walking around the store, just like a topless man shouldn't and the pretense of breast feeding should not be an excuse for doing so.

FWIW OP I agree with you. It is shocking to walk into a topless woman in a store, no matter the reason she is topless. No it's not okay but the second you mentioned "breast feeding" people stopped reading that she had STOPPED and that that was the reason you saw everything.

If this was a post about breast feeding in public, the fact you saw nipple just goes to show though that people claiming you "don't see anything" when breast feeding are full of shit. In some cases sure, but not in all cases. Discretion is a lost art.

ruthsmumkath · 04/07/2015 21:38

Wasn't me but I regularly bf walking round Sainsbury's, Tesco, M&S, Waitrose.

I don't show much flesh or nipples - in babies mouth!

YABU - not feeding a hungry baby is wrong - plus I would never get a shop done otherwise.

Most people think baby is asleep when I feed.

Can't see why anyone would be offended!

RobbyBen · 04/07/2015 21:40

I am not being an arsehole. It's my opinion and I think you'll find that the majority of people (outside MN) would agree with me.

TheFormidableMrsC · 04/07/2015 21:40

Sorry, I agree. I am a mum, I breastfed both of my children and wouldn't have dreamt of walking round a shop while doing so. What is it with people? I don't get the breastfeeding mafia at all. Maybe I am a bit old fashioned, whatever, when I needed to feed my kids, I found somewhere discreet to do so. Sorry if that makes me a dreadful mother. OP, I don't believe you're trolling for what it's worth. I most certainly wouldn't have got my tits out in a supermarket. Going to get flamed.....

LegoComplex · 04/07/2015 21:42

so by coincidence you saw her when the baby wasn't latched on.. Who fucking cares, it's a breast, GET OVER IT.

NinkyNonkers · 04/07/2015 21:42

Likewise. With two small kids you gotta get shit done... Do what you have to do! I don't eat on the loo, so am unlikely to feed there. I tended to use a sling as had hands free, but was well rehearsed at the arm dangle too.

Never showed much nork though, babies were quite easy feeders. If a small baby that is hard to latch, or an enormous nork then you would be likely to see more. That doesn't mean a big boobed lady with a small baby should feel restricted.

NinkyNonkers · 04/07/2015 21:43

And fwiw, I have never come across anyone in real life who thinks babies should be fed in public toilets.

LegoComplex · 04/07/2015 21:44

formidable I'm currently bfing and i don't have the confidence atm to beastfeed in public because of all the fuss, the only time i've done it has been in a car park in an emergency which was very stressful! but i have total admiration for women who can do it, and it inspires me to try.

puffinrock · 04/07/2015 21:44

We had a builder in renovating the place when dc2 was a baby. I used to sit completely topless with my bra down in living room. Tbf I never even thought about it at time I was just in a I have 2 children and my house is falling down round my ears moment! It won't really bother me but everyone is entitled to their opinion

Hairylegs007 · 04/07/2015 21:44

Op just look away if you find it so offensive!!

shitebag · 04/07/2015 21:44

Don't you just love it when random posters appear and start proclaiming their hatred for those damn opinionated mumsnetters?

Now, here's a thought, take your face to the toilet for a shite you halfwit.

RobbyBen · 04/07/2015 21:45

Well, exactly...

Hairylegs007 · 04/07/2015 21:45

It's just a boob

Icimoi · 04/07/2015 21:45

Syka, OP specifically says the woman was in the process of feeding, not that she has finished. You're making that up.

Sunflower1985 · 04/07/2015 21:45

I do this all the time with my 23mo. The tantrum avoider. Try it with a 11kg one. I am burning calories as i shop Grin

TheOriginalWinkly · 04/07/2015 21:49

TheFormidable - breastfeeding mafia??? An organised ring of breastfeeding mothers, having turf wars over where best to expose breasts to make other people uncomfortable? Hardly. And well done you for being lucky enough to have children that could go long enough between feeds for you to find that magical discreet place. Mine wanted fed every hour or more and I wasn't staying indoors for 6 months.

TheFormidableMrsC · 04/07/2015 21:50

Lego, you have to do what suits you my love! I couldn't give a rats arse if people decide to breastfeed in public, that is entirely up to them, I don't have to look. I just wouldn't do it myself. My opinion, my prerogative. Random posters Shitebag? Surely everybody is entitled to an opinion on this subject and any other? Why are you being so rude?!

abearcalledpaddington · 04/07/2015 21:50

Ive dont it with mine and i have/would still do it with my 18m old.

shitebag · 04/07/2015 21:50

Legocomplex have you heard of the 2-top method?

I was a nervous wreck about feeding in public (even posted on here about expressing advice when DD was 8 days old as we had to venture to the registry office Blush :o) and read about it and kept practicising infront of the mirror at home and within a day I'd mastered total discreetness!

I went on to breastfeed for 18 months after that and as far as I'm aware no one ever caught sight of anything and many were surprised when they heard me clip my bra back up after having sat in conversation with me throughout a feed.

ouryve · 04/07/2015 21:50

Do you always go to the toilet to eat your lunch, then, robby ?

NinkyNonkers · 04/07/2015 21:51

Pmsl...the old mafia and Nazi cliches.