Breastpumping at concert

[Jourl]

AIBU for planning on pumping at a concert? I'm planning on taking my hand pump with me and a couple empty bottles to store then discard.

Does anyone know if I'll be okay taking in this? I've enquired with the venue but had no response.

For clarity it is Taylor Swift at Wembley

Perfectly fine. No one will know or see

Came to say this! Also please everyone stop suggesting pumping in the loo, wearing extra breast pads - which won't stop mastitis or help at all really on their own, and stop banging on about not upsetting people nearby - especially "non-lactating" folk. Which is both the funniest thing I've read on here today, and also the most infuriating. Have fun!

I'll have to discard it unfortunately @ReadingSoManyThreads ! From train and tube rides there, then queuing and TS' 3hr set, the milk I'll be needing to pump will be out for longer than 6hrs and it will be end of June so hot weather too.

I do need to point out that I have standing tickets, I won't be able to get to the toilet or anywhere discreet once the show begins, nor will I when I'm in the queue to get in

I took a hands free one and popped it in my bra then emptied it into a breast milk bag in the toilets when I was done and put it in my bag at the o2
i think breast pumps are considered medical equipment (as they are on planes I believe?) so should be fine taking it in :)

It does say on theor website I'll need to apply for a medical certificate to allow medical equipment in @Shnn , I didn't think of going that route so I'll contact them via that as surely then I'll get a response.

One of the major wearable breast pump brands even uses a woman pumping at a gig in their advertising.

You should be absolutely fine with it fingers crossed!
The most they might do is do an extra scan of it with a machine but they didn’t even do that at the airports so wouldn’t think they would there! :)

I have pumped at a concert at the 02. I had no issues at security other than the man searching my bag asked me what the breast pump was, then looked totally embarrassed and couldn't get me through quick enough.
I went and pumped in the medical room, they were lovely and gave me a seat and offered water.
If you have standing tickets this might be more tricky as you won't want to leave your spot but I'd just take a loose top/ scarf and pump under that. People around probably won't even notice. Or once in place just nip off before the show starts and come back to rejoin your friends when you are done.

What depressingly boring and predictably sexist replies.

Yes OP it’s 100% fine to this.

If you do it in the concert covered by T-shirt, scarf or whatever there is no way anyone will notice.

if you want to do it full pump and milk sloshing on show that it also your right.

i used to have to do it on a train hidden under clothing and just the train noise was enough to mean no one noticed (and this was long before in-bra pumps).

It’s completely fine. Enjoy the gig.

how long will you be gone? I left my son when he was feeding every few hours and it was fine. I didn’t express . I was gone for about 6 hours all in.

Ps - to get past security quickly when they open your bag for the search - confidently and loudly announce:

’it’s my brrrrrrrrrrrreast pump. I need to pump milk from my brrrrrrrrrreasts’ (roll your rrrrs for effect).

in my experience they’ll embarrassedly usher you through

I can't see this being a problem at security at all. There will be First Aid/Medical staff there - just ask them if you need a space, I'm sure they'll have nook somewhere you can use if you don't want to pump in public or can't find somewhere to sit. I would not find it weird at all - enjoy the gig!!!

Likely around 12hrs @Rookangaroo4
2hr train and tube journey
Grabbing lunch
Queuing
Concert (TS' set is 3hrs)
Queuing to get out and onto tube
Grabbing food
2hr journey home

Plan is to find somewhere to pump before I get to Wembley to queue

they usually prevent you taking drinks or liquid in with you - might think it's some kind of cocktail😋🍸

Yeah I will have to dump it as I won't have a way to store it that they'll permit unfortunately, as i cant inagine theyll allow cool boxes either @ThinWomansBrain

Some of these posters should be ashamed of themselves for registering accounts on a website called mumsnet!

Everybody else should be watching Taylor Swift, not staring at your tits. People in front of you have their backs to you, people behind you only have a view of your back, people to your left and right would have to turn away from the reason they are damn well there to oggle a mother of a newborn doing a boring but necessary task to keep her baby-feeding bits healthy.

I haven't had children yet and I'd fiercely protect you if I saw anybody giving you shit for this.

I did this at a festival. Just covered up with a scarf and emptied into the toilet, I don't think anyone really saw as we were sitting having a drink in a group. I guess you could do it in the loo if you didn't have anywhere else to pump?

Someone has posted on the Murrayfield Facebook page and has been told she is totally fine to take her pumping stuff but has to go through a specific entrance to get it “checked”. They’ve added her name to a “list” and she’s allowed a bigger bag as classed as medical equipment

I brought a breast pump into the O2 a couple years ago, I did email them first to make sure it was OK. I pumped and dumped in the loos.

I would say go for it. As you've rightly said, it's a critical time for your body and baby and you need to do what you need to do to keep everything in that delicate balance supply-wise and not-being-engorged-wise. I really do hope the venue is accomodating.

Wow I can't believe the responses you are getting! So much for women supporting women.

I pumped at a Hyde park gig last year (with an in-bra Elvie style pump).I've also pumped on the train. It was absolutely fine, no one had to see my boobs. There was no issue with security.

Have an amazing time at Eras.

I wouldn’t do this at my seat. Go a little early so you can pump at a decent place and maybe sneak out to pump during the concert. I think it’s inconsiderate to just pump at my seat.

We have such an unhealthy attitude to breastfeeding women in this country. Almost like you’re not allowed to go out when breastfeeding in case you need to pump which makes others uncomfortable.

If you do it discreetly (as most breastfeeding women do anyway) then I see no issue. However, I would ask to make use of the facilities you’ve screen shot in your post so you’re comfortable. It looks like they accept BF equipment will be brought in but print that page and have it on you incase security give you jip. Toilets usually have long queues and you shouldn’t have to do that anyway.

Lastly the fact the page says ‘new parent breastfeeding’ really peeves me. It’s women/mothers. Sick of erasing the word woman whilst we’re still battling for basic rights to breastfeed without being seen as exhibitionists or hiding in toilets to do it.

I voted Yabu simply because the likelihood of getting the equipment in is likely an issue. Training for security is highly unlikely to include breast pumps and they will be advised if in doubt dispose.

Also from a practical reason, dancing standing at Wembley? I haven't been to a concert where I wasn't jostled a lot, how will that work.

I don't think it is practical, I have absolutely no issue with you needing to pump. For example seating at National Concert Hall where they have baby classes would be a walk in the park.