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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Just because I can BF anywhere doesn't mean I will.

219 replies

elodie2000 · 28/08/2016 10:22

I've been following the 'chucked out of west end show for BF' thread with interest.
It's legal to BF pretty much everywhere but I wondered where others avoid feeding or even taking their baby?

I wouldn't take my baby to
The theatre (adult only show) 😉
Loud music Concert
Nandos near me (and similar stuffy, smelly, overcrowded, dirty restaurants.)
Public toilets
Exam hall
Staff meeting/presentation

I wouldn't BF
in moving car
at side of swimming pool
at the side of a motorway
In a salon whilst having my hair/ nails done.

Basically, anywhere I myself wouldn't usually eat food, or dirty, noisy, smelly or overcrowded places. Adult or particularly formal places.

IABU to think that despite the law, just because you can doesn't automatically mean you should?

OP posts:
OlennasWimple · 28/08/2016 18:47

I'm still struggling with the logistics of BF in a car! Perhaps my boobs weren't big enough, but with DS in his rear facing car seat, I would have had to have been sitting - possibly kneeling - on the edge of the backseat with my seat belt extended to get my chest anywhere close to him. If the driver had slammed on the brakes, in the best case I would have jolted forward between the seats (I don't think the seat belt would have held me), in the worst case I would have slammed into DS's face Shock

I'm sorry, I just don't get it? Am I being dim?

TheHubblesWindscreenWipers · 28/08/2016 18:48

Just read thank link... Ok, no more car boob!

The more you know, etc...

TheHubblesWindscreenWipers · 28/08/2016 18:50

I just lean forward a bit and he can grab the boob. Perhaps mine are particularly side set or something but It's not a huge stretch, nor am I leaning over him.
Still won't be doing it again though. Safety first.

Sandsnake · 28/08/2016 18:54

There's not many places that I wouldn't breastfeed if I felt they were a) appropriate to bring a baby to in the first place and b) hygienic. I think I'd look on it as the same as bottle feeding really - there will be some places where it's not appropriate to feed a baby full stop, but whether it's breast or bottle shouldn't really come into it.

user1471552005 · 28/08/2016 19:07

I have breastfed in lots of places that my babies were allowed. In church, library, train, plane, walking around a supermarket, at a funeral, in parliament, swimming pools.

I have the right.

Bearfrills · 28/08/2016 19:59

Libraries are great for breastfeeding, especially if you have other DC with you. If DS wanted a feed and I was near the library I'd go there and sit in the kids area. Comfy chairs, DD entertained with books and colouring in, and no noises, etc to distract DS.

thescruffiestgiantintown · 28/08/2016 20:47

I would not breastfeed while abseiling.
I would not breastfeed parasailing.

I would not breastfeed watching porn.
I have breastfed on a croquet lawn.

I shall breastfeed in a Costco chair.
I shall breastfeed cutting up a pear.

I have breastfed wearing roller skates.
I will never again breastfeed on the M8.

Original poster
elodie2000 · 28/08/2016 21:05

rd2 - what's wromg with Nandos?
😄 The Nandos near is is full of teenagers, is always packed& the tables are sticky! I also hate chicken!

OP posts:
EveOnline2016 · 28/08/2016 21:10

Dc1 was breast and dc2 was bottle.

I feed them both in the same places.

PGPsabitch · 28/08/2016 22:06

If I can breastfeed, currently heavily pregnant atm, the places off limits would be ones I wouldn't take a baby: nightclub, cinema, local dogging area etc.

Original poster
elodie2000 · 28/08/2016 23:16

Haha PGP Local dogging areas!!!
Why didn't I think of that?! Perfect example of an 'inappropriate' baby feeding venue!

OP posts:
PersianCatLady · 29/08/2016 02:36

Fwiw my local pool has a sign up asking you to refrain from BF in the pool. Poolside is fine, in the water is not
According to these articles women should not be prevented from BF even in a swimming pool.

www.laleche.org.uk/breastfeeding-at-a-swimming-pool/

www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/05/03/mum-sues-swimming-pool-claiming-staff-stopped-her-breastfeeding/

user1471552005 · 29/08/2016 06:40

persiancatlady if the manager of a swimming pool put up such a poster in Scotland, he/she could be arrested by the police.

user1471552005 · 29/08/2016 06:42

I have breastfed in a swimming pool many times.

Lemonwords · 29/08/2016 06:55

OP have you breastfed? or intending to?

puglife15 · 29/08/2016 07:14

Jeez. I can't believe after this link has been posted people are STILL advocating feeding in the car / saying it's possible.

DON'T BREASTFEED IN A MOVING CAR.

Once more for the dipshits:

thecarseatlady.wordpress.com/2012/08/14/no-nursing-while-the-car-is-moving/

user1471552005 · 29/08/2016 07:18

I breastfed in a car. Everyone strapped in. I have large breasts and a very flexible back. I am that dipshit.

pug can you also post links that show injuries in car accidents where breastfeeding was a factor. Truly interested.

missm0use · 29/08/2016 08:23

Other than a toilet or somewhere else as equally gross there's pretty much nowhere I wouldn't feed my baby.

Rather than it being unsuitable place for feeding I'm more likely not to feed somewhere because it's as uncomfortable as fuck!

I've had a few tuts before from folks about feeding in public - once on the ferry and feeding on a bench at the storefront.

Ham69 · 29/08/2016 08:34

Another dipshit over here!

DaughtersofTriton · 29/08/2016 08:45

I won't BF in a moving car, a toilet, or a swimming pool. There are also bloody obvious places I wouldn't BF because I wouldn't have my baby there with me in the first place; clubbing at 3am, on a rollercoaster, in the cinema, etc and so forth...

Anywhere else is fair game IMO. And that includes churches, libraries, Nana Doris's 80th birthday tea party at the village hall, political rallies...Grin

PinkyOfPie · 29/08/2016 08:52

I had a friend who actually leaned over and BF while her child was strapped in car seat...does that count Confused

PinkyOfPie · 29/08/2016 08:56

Also who gives a shit where people do and don't BF? I wouldn't BF where the OP wouldn't, although I have doe it in unusual places! I'd far rather get my knickers in a knot about the establishments who boot women out for perfectly legal BFing (the example in the OP doesn't count as she was kicked out because her baby was screaming not due to BF) and therefore affect others perception of BF in public and body autonomy

Original poster
elodie2000 · 29/08/2016 08:56

Lemonwords - OP have you breastfed? or intending to?

No, I bottle fed fmy DC from day 1.
I said this early on & also that this thread should really have been about all types of feeding.
It was triggered by another thread where a woman soothed her crying baby by BF in the middle of a West End show.

I'm intrigued to know where people wouldn't feed bearing in mind that it is legal to feed a baby practically anywhere.

As I said on that thread, I would have taken the baby out into the lobby when it started crying for food. I also said that I would feel the same way if the baby was bottle fed.

OP posts:
NicknameUsed · 29/08/2016 09:00

"Baby strapped in car seat - me strapped in middle seat - I lean over and feed."

Wouldn't you have to be rather well endowed to do this? I wouldn't have been able to because I don't have the physical proportions.

user1471552005 · 29/08/2016 09:03

In Scotland the law is very clear.

Babies have a right to be fed milk ( breast or bottle) in any place that baby has the right to be.
UK discrimination and maternity laws also apply, but we have specific legislation protecting the rights of the child.

Babies are not allowed on roller coasters or in over 21 night clubs so their right to be breastfed would not apply.
They are allowed to be in swimming pools, libraries and churches, so these are all acceptable places to breastfeed.
Anyone obstructing this right can be arrested and face a criminal conviction.