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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not wear a mask when breastfeeding my baby

278 replies

Catsdogsandfoxes · 14/01/2022 17:54

Was feeding 3 mo DS on the train through London this afternoon and took my mask off so he could see my face properly and we could interact. I find BF weird with a mask on. AIBU?

OP posts:
Redhotspicywine · 14/01/2022 20:03

I always take mine off when feeding my baby. He can’t see me properly with it on and he gets fussy and won’t feed (he’s five months now so well aware and nosey!)

Yanbu at all

Lifeisnteasy · 14/01/2022 20:03

Anyway I clicked YABU because I don’t think people would support a new mum taking her mask off to bottle feed, and there’s no reason why this should be different for someone breastfeeding. But to be honest if I had been sat near you, I wouldn’t have cared.

manseymoo1987 · 14/01/2022 20:04

Yanbu at all. I'd have done the same.

KeepingAnOpenMind · 14/01/2022 20:04

This reply has been deleted

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DynamiteFilledRadish · 14/01/2022 20:04

@Catsdogsandfoxes

People's responses actually surprise me! There was actually no one sat around me as the train was v quiet but just wondered what people thought...half of London don't seem to be wearing them at the mo. My baby was upset and I wanted him to see my face so I could comfort him while feeding...and I don't regret it!
Good. Ignore the mask fanatics.
MaxNormal · 14/01/2022 20:04

Just sip water while you feed. We all know covid politely stays away while people are eating and drinking.

IDidntKnowItWasAParty · 14/01/2022 20:04

YABVVVVU

Parker231 · 14/01/2022 20:04

You don’t need to take your mask off to feed a baby - it being breast feeding is irrelevant. On public transport you wear a mask.

Stellaris22 · 14/01/2022 20:04

Is this your first baby OP? What was the point of this if not to just highlight you are breast feeding and you wanted attention? I don't get the point of this thread.

RedHelenB · 14/01/2022 20:05

@Catsdogsandfoxes

People's responses actually surprise me! There was actually no one sat around me as the train was v quiet but just wondered what people thought...half of London don't seem to be wearing them at the mo. My baby was upset and I wanted him to see my face so I could comfort him while feeding...and I don't regret it!
So why ask Aibu then?
7Worfs · 14/01/2022 20:06

@Lifeisnteasy

Anyway I clicked YABU because I don’t think people would support a new mum taking her mask off to bottle feed, and there’s no reason why this should be different for someone breastfeeding. But to be honest if I had been sat near you, I wouldn’t have cared.
I think most people would support young mothers with babies, irrespective if they are feeding or how they are feeding.
PinkPomeranian · 14/01/2022 20:06

Could you try a visor if you're concerned about facial expressions and bonding?

Personally I don't think it's something you need to worry about for a minority of feeds, and there are other ways of connecting with your little one on those occasions when your whole face isn't visible, so I voted YABU.

notacooldad · 14/01/2022 20:06

No you are required to wear the mask all the time whilst on public transport
No body seems to enforcing this rule ( up north) much. Virtually every train journey I've been on over the last couple of months only a couple of people are wearing masks.
Same in shops.
It's as if there's been a collective ' oh fuck it' attitude going on!

7Worfs · 14/01/2022 20:07

@MaxNormal

Just sip water while you feed. We all know covid politely stays away while people are eating and drinking.
Grin
user1471481356 · 14/01/2022 20:07

For some reason I don’t like wearing a mask when breast feeding either. I feel claustrophobic and hot. But I wear it anyway because I’m supposed to.

BFCfairy · 14/01/2022 20:07

@Mickarooni 100% agree about inadequacies.

I used to watch netflix sometimes. Only peace I had with 3 dc by the time #3 came along. Shame on me!

Still think mask though because you are on a train and those are the rules... and don't use the "no one else in London is" line. Just wear it. Be collectively responsible.

7Worfs · 14/01/2022 20:10

Just wear it. Be collectively responsible.

No.

DynamiteFilledRadish · 14/01/2022 20:12

Could you try a visor if you're concerned about facial expressions and bonding

Why? A visor is the ultimate in covid theatre. What would a visor do?

The people that told you to be terrified and to hide at home are the very same lot who were partying their arses off in 2020 and yet people are still convinced that magic masks and theatrical visors save them from the deadly terrifying virus. I mean, really???

Whatelsecouldibecalled · 14/01/2022 20:15

YANBU @Catsdogsandfoxes

Latest research on mask wearing abs baby development.

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7598570/

Ellowyn · 14/01/2022 20:15

@Antsinmypantsneedtodance

YANBU breastfeeding with a mask on is a pain. Especially when breastfeeding a toddler...they just ping it.

People who are saying you dont need to interact with your child when breastfeeding obviously haven't been doing it right! Breastfeeding is all about nurturing and bonding. In addition to obviously the feeding part.

I absolutely agree with you! I think those same people prop a bottle up against something to feed their baby - then walk off and call it good.
LittleBearPad · 14/01/2022 20:15

@notacooldad

No you are required to wear the mask all the time whilst on public transport No body seems to enforcing this rule ( up north) much. Virtually every train journey I've been on over the last couple of months only a couple of people are wearing masks. Same in shops. It's as if there's been a collective ' oh fuck it' attitude going on!
Maybe that’s why Covid rates are the highest in the north
xprincessxjanetx · 14/01/2022 20:17

YABU. Breastfeeding is enough of an interaction on its own, wearing a mask on public transport is obligatory unless you have a good reason not to and that isn't one.

Mummy1608 · 14/01/2022 20:17

@Stellaris22

Is this your first baby OP? What was the point of this if not to just highlight you are breast feeding and you wanted attention? I don't get the point of this thread.
Yeah this was my reaction.

I agree that babies/toddlers benefit from interaction and seeing our faces. But why more during BF than any other time? And what about FF babies, they never bond with their mothers at all?!

Fwiw I'm still BF my DD at 17 months so I'm very pro BF myself. I BF anywhere and everywhere, and I wear masks if I'm on transport or in a shop. As so many PP have pointed out, feeds can be long and boring (at any age) and my DD will play with my collar or even fall asleep. If she does make eye contact while I'm feeding her with a mask on, I can talk or sing to her.

I think people catastrophise way too much eg one pp said her dc "tries to cover my face" with her mask. Erm, no, they are just playing with the mask and trying out the fine motor skills required to put it on. My DD also does this, in the same way she pretends everything is a hat.

SlashBeef · 14/01/2022 20:18

Yanbu
I haven't read any of the research but I suspect the masks are appalling for infant development. That eye contact and interaction while feeding is absolutely natural and essential for tiny babies and I would have removed my mask too. If anyone challenged me I'd be exempt 🙄

Bonnealle · 14/01/2022 20:18

A lot of the time my baby couldn’t see my face because my shirt or jumper was in the way! Is bottle feeding ok without a mask as in your opinion you need to look at your baby to feed? Yes a mask is annoying, and if you don’t want to wear one don’t, but breastfeeding is not an excuse.