Breastfeeding in public

[Forgivenandsetfree]

Inspired by a comment I have seen on Facebook.
I breastfed until 22 months, towards the end I didn't feed in public because of course she was eating by then but when she was small I did. Luckily I never had an issue and was treated well in my local Macdonalds and Costa, but the comment said most people have issues with Bf in public, aibu to think this isn't true?
YABU- I faced issues/I don't like it.
YNBU- I don't/ didn't have a problem.

@Bbang sorry you had a similar experience, it rubbish isn’t it, whatever choice we make someone will judge

Lol at your description of feeding! I’ve got underdeveloped breast tissue (one of the issues I had first time round) so have tiny boobs but makes them easier to hide for anyone who is bothered!

Never, ever had bad comments or looks. Only ever lovely and positive comments and friendly, reassuring smiles and I fed in a range of places - restaurants, cafes, parks etc. Waitresses would come over and ask if I wanted a cushion or a more supportive chair and things. The best was half way around the house tour at Chatsworth, I must have looked like I was part of the exhibition sitting on a grand chair bfing DS who was 3 months old. A lovely lady came over and said 'I just have to stop and say well done to you, it's so lovely to see' 🥰.

I’ve faced bad comments from relatives when bf my 2y and 2m baby. It hurts however I wont
Stop just because they’ve problems with it. They can sort their own problems

@Wolfgirrl I see you in every single thread related with extended bf criticising those that we still do it. For being happy with your choice it seems like the rest can’t be happy with theirs. Btw I’ve got your diabetic cookie ready. I know how much you love when I call my son baby :)

@FleurDaxeny can you point me out where I was being innapropiate a few weeks ago when my husband family laughed cuz my son was bf ?
2 yo boy we were in a park and I think I was 80% giving them my back. My son came and pulled my top up as he wanted to bf. Immediately they started laughing and doing stupid comments.

I kept myself quiet. Didn’t even reply to their attitude (their children were in front so these is what they are teaching 10yos that it’s fine to laughed at other people parenting choices)

Guess I was wrong as per your comment and made it too loud to others

@easterissland

Takes one to know one doesnt it!

Thanks for the cookie

I'm just relieved you've saved yourself the effort of working out your sons age in months 😂😂

I detest BF in public. It isn't because I've been conditioned to see breasts as a sexual object, nor am I a failed bfeeder. I really just hate it. I wouldn't say anything or make any attempt to make anyone feel uncomfortable but if mum catches my face at the same time as I notice she'll see my feelings plain as day but that isn't intentional. And in a restaurant sadly I would probably leave as it turns my stomach. I wouldn't blame the bf either I would make up an excuse. Don't want to be mean but the question was asked.

I don't want to see people overtly itching their genitals in public either. It is natural, it doesnt affect me, I can look away - but it is still 🤢

We have breastfeeding thread bingo everyone! Comparing breastfeeding to touching genitals in public

@TARSCOUT that’s your opinion and you’re entitled to it, that’s also why the right to breastfeed in public is protect in law.

Also have recently discovered am expecting my third - I shall look forward to flopping (getting out) my breast in order to wave it in people’s faces (feed my child), maybe even taking more than 3 seconds to get the boob away after baby has finished? I know, sorry to be so shocking

I faced a couple of unhelpful comments from elderly relatives. But never when out and about.
If anyone has a problem with it, is is 100% their problem, no matter what the age of the child.

@HenSolo whatever spices up your life I guess 🤷‍♀️

@hensolo not touching. Itching. Awful paraphrasing on your part.

It was a Les Dennis quote of all people but he said ‘if you’re offended at the sight of breastfeeding, you’re looking too much’. Or words to that effect. Other than an unintentional glance over why on earth would you be bothered by breastfeeding in public. Just don’t look.

And yes, we’ve all being socialised in the west to see breasts as sexual and it does impact so not sure how this poster thought they’d escaped that. I’m assuming they wear, if not a bra, at least a top and don’t wander round topless. Compare to countries where women do go topless routinely!

However, it always makes me wonder why someone would be so unnecessarily snide and judgemental about other women’s biologically normal choices

Because people aren’t able to distinguish between “the right way” and “the right way for me”. They have to vehemently insist their way is the right way full stop, because they need validation.

Insecurity in short.

@hensolo not touching. Itching. Awful paraphrasing on your part.

Gosh so sorry! Let me try again -

I don't want to see people overtly itching their genitals in public either. It is natural, it doesnt affect me, I can look away - but it is still 🤢

We have breastfeeding thread bingo everyone! Comparing breastfeeding to itching genitals in public

Never had a single issue tbn

[quote Wolfgirrl]@shebashimmyshake you've clearly never had thrush![/quote]
No, I haven't. But I'm pretty sure that's not comparable to a baby having something to eat either.

no matter what the age of the child Bitty?

[quote HenSolo]**@hensolo not touching. Itching. Awful paraphrasing on your part.

Gosh so sorry! Let me try again -

I don't want to see people overtly itching their genitals in public either. It is natural, it doesnt affect me, I can look away - but it is still 🤢

We have breastfeeding thread bingo everyone! Comparing breastfeeding to itching genitals in public[/quote]
Have we had comparisons to having sex or shitting in public, or being flashed by men in raincoats? I've not read the thread in full but we need those for breastfeeding bingo.

@FatalSecrets

Yep. I think they should secretly be gutted if everyone starting bfing to 4 years old because they wouldn't be able to feel superior!

@LaurieMarlow, ah, actually that does make sense. Come to think of it I did get some odd looks the one time I fed DD in a catholic church (our regular church is Anglican, but we were visiting friends for the weekend), but I'd assumed that was mostly because she kept unlatching to hum (something she had just discovered and was fascinated by!)....

I think the only actually negative comment I had was from my MIL, who thought it was selfish of me to breastfeed because she/my DH couldn't give a bottle (she'd asked to when she visited, and I'd said we didn't want to introduce a bottle till 6 weeks). My DH told her she was being ridiculous, so that put a quick stop to that!

Most women feed very discretely. I only know one lady who tended to get the whole boob out for feeds during local toddler group, and I overheard her once explaining to another mum that her daughter had enormous difficulty latching unless she helped by holding her breast in a particular way. Perhaps that's what other "overt" breastfeeders are doing??? (I just don't come across them!)

I have to admit I'm aware that I'm probably going to be being pretty obvious about feeding in the not to distant future (if all goes well and to plan) as I'm expecting twins, and I think the odds of me managing THAT discretely is pretty slim

Yep. I think they should secretly be gutted if everyone starting bfing to 4 years old because they wouldn't be able to feel superior!

Who was it who used the word “perfect” about their experience....? Talk about superiority

I breastfed to almost 4, because it was really important to me that DD chose when to stop. Does that make me a better parent? Of course not. Does it make me glad I was able to achieve my hopes? Of course.

I don’t care if women breastfeed to 1 month, 12 months or 48 months. I do care that women make the choices that are right for them and not as a result of societal negativity around breastfeeding.