Mum asked to stop breastfeeding a TWO YEAR OLD in shoe shop.

[GinaDavva]

Mixed feelings with this one. Shaming a mother publicly breastfeeding a small baby is never acceptable but breastfeeding a two year old child in a shop? Surely at that age a bottle is more convenient in the middle of a shop? My first thought was that this was more about attention than the actual principle of the matter. After breastfeeding 3 of my own I can honestly say there has never been a time where it felt necessary to start breastfeeding any of mine in the middle of a shop at two years old. Frankly at that age they wouldn’t find much in mine anyway!

www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cj3z31jn7v1o

missing the irony are we?

It is (biologically) normal @Hons123, the natural age of weaning is 4-7 years. It’s you and your family, and western social norms, that are actually the weird ones.

And don’t wear pants!

Flashers, the lot of them.

legally it makes no difference. Breastfeeding in shops and other public spaces is protected under the Equalities Act and asking a breastfeeding woman to stop or leave is illegal. Full stop. It doesn’t matter how old the child is.

Because the child is upset or crying and has asked to breastfeed. Because it is a warm and comfortable place to sit and expose skin. And because it is your legally protected right to do so.

The twix was in jest (or post lunch craving....)

Capitalism

Eh, I don't care how long someone breastfeeds and obviously, mothers can breastfeed wherever they like but there is a difference between breastfeeding a small baby who is reliant on milk and a 2 year old where breastfeeding might be something the child wants in the shoe shop but it can probably wait.

I don't agree with how the mother was spoken to or that she has to ask for permission to breastfeed which is against the law as it should be but I do think there's a time and a place for breastfeeding an older child and just because you can, it doesn't mean that you should. A 2 year old can wait.

Sorry, I don't care to respond to the triggered quotes.

I also don't care if you want to BF your 6 yr old.

My opinion is my opinion.

YAB completely U and really judgey

No. In that same way that said child eating a sandwich or a bag of crisps or some chocolate isn’t uncivilised. Anyone with an ounce of self awareness though would probably think that a shoe shop isn’t the best place to sit down and eat the sandwich/crisps or whatever and take a few moments to move somewhere else. A few moments not to take up space the shop probably needs for their customers. Nothing to do with the sainted breastfeeding.

I think that is more about predator awareness - a bit like the way dogs hold eye contact with their owner when taking a dump.

I tend not to use animals as guides for my social habits anyway.

I don’t understand why so many people are so obsessed with how other mothers behave. Why does it affect you? Why do you care if someone ‘whips their boob out’ in public?

You must feel threatened by it in some way.

Even if we suppose it’s attention seeking behaviour, surely the best approach would be to ignore? If someone is being performative and attention-seeking, then they WANT you to stare at them disapprovingly/make judgemental noises and comments. So the best thing to do is ignore them.

As I’ve said elsewhere, I only breastfed my children for the first six months.

So much vitriol against other mothers. Live and let live.

At 2 are they still feeding on demand (breast or bottle)? That’s the bit I find odd!

as for bf in a shop - nothing wrong with that if necessary but with an older child who can wait I’d have thought there are more comfortable places to feed. But recognise that depends on the shopping center

You’re entitled to post your uninformed and ignorant opinion on a public site. Others are entitled to point out the myriad of reasons why you’re wrong.

Because all of these benefits apply regardless of the location of feeding?

YABU

Humans are mammals.

Mothers feed babies and children for as long as both are happy to do so.

This is protected in law.

That's it.

The mother's reasons why are hers and hers alone. I thought we were past the point of shaming breastfeeding mothers tbh

They certainly are. Haven't seen one that isn't nonsensical yet.

I think the mum is stunting the development of this 2 year old to the extent that the child probably wouldn't even be able to buy themselves a Twix as you've suggested.

Translation:
I have nothing to back up my unreasonable position, so I'm not going engage in any discussion. Deep down I know I'm wrong, but I'd rather stay wrong than admit that!

You're welcome.

No, I just don't believe you're all sane.

I’m not at all triggered: I mostly formula fed my kids. I just think you’re a terrible person.

Mother and baby homes can stop this nonsence happening, for all mothers.

Chip off the old block then.