To think it's ok to breastfeed a newborn in the library?

[thisismynewname]

DS (8 weeks) feeds A LOT. His sister was the same - none of this feeding for 20 mins then three hours gaps nonsense, more like feed for three ours with 20 min gaps.

DD (2) needs to be doing something other than being stuck in the house with me feeding or bored at the same toddler group feeding.

So...we went to the library today. There is a big sign on the door saying 'breastfeeding mothers welcome' and we only went in the children's library. They have loads of cushions on the floor (shaped like widgey cusions) and as there was hardly anyone in there no one was using them. So, I used one to prop up DS while I fed him and DD pottered around with the books.

I was reading quietly to DD when a snotty faced -ancient- middle-aged librarian came over and told me that 1) we were making too much noise and 2) the cushions were for the children to sit on, not for feeding babies.

I got the distinct impression it was my breasts she actually didn't like, but obviously couldn't say so, despite the fact that I am the queen of discreet feeding.

WAS IBU for being made to feel unwelcome and discriminated against by this woman?

what is going on today?

You should be able to choose to feed your baby however you like anywhere and / or everywhere. Express if you want to, bottlefeed if you want to and breastfeed if you want to. It's about time society realised that breastfeeding is a wonderful thing - not a taboo and its these attitudes that prevent mums taking up breastfeeding in the first place. Mums know best for their own children. Breastfeeding should be allowed (and encouraged!) in a library!

Blimey, both mine would have screamed if they were hungry. And dd flatly refused a bottle from anyone.

Think tis very sad that an 8 year old would quail at the sight of a breastfeeding woman. Bet he/she wouldn't if he/she saw more women feeding.

OP, do they have a big book called "PISS OFF NOW THERE'S A LOVE" that you could read next time? Make sure you do plenty of reclining and lip smacking.

cushion

Desi you must have been a very sheltered 8 year old My dd and her chums would love to encounter a breastfed baby - I can just imagine the poor mother being surrounded by friendly inquisitive girls asking what she was doing and why , every other question you can think of and even more a 'sane' person would never dream of lol

OP I too think you should complain if it said BF mothers welcome - i think it is wonderful that you were feeding ds and entertaining dd at the same time

Hardly sheltered, arctic!!! That's another story, for sure.

But most women bottle-fed in my day.

Never had you down as squeamish about things like this, Desi. "In my day"?

Yes, I'm old, and I don't like tits on public display.

I can't recall there's been a seizemic shift in childhood behaviour since BF became de rigeur.

I can't help thinking that the bf bods think they're kids are just a teensy bit better for the experience.

Fast forward three or four years, and I'll be the first to come to your aid

Well worth complaining about. We have forms and a box at our local library for comments - if you're not happy making a complain in person then perhaps you could do it anonymously that way. You could always point out that your youngest child was sitting on the cushion.

Ah, Desi, breastfeeding's the first resort of the Very Lazy Mother. Was for me, anyway! Didn't think anyone thought it was better for behaviour - will try that on dd. "BEHAVE! I BREASTFED YOU, FFS!"

Desi - ???
Do you think that I think that my daughters are better behaved for being breastfed? I can assure you that that's not the case! I don't breastfeed to lord it over other women, I breastfeed because it's cheap, convenient and perfectly suited for my babies. And I have never had my tits out on display.

mrstitlemouse-thats what I was trying to say!!

Well, that's good to hear, girls

Habbibu
Must try that one out on DD1 when she lies down on the pavement again because I think that it's a good idea for me to hold her hand when there's heavy traffic about.

Only read OP. Complain. Kick up a big fuss,. Threaten to go the local papers or rally support from NCT/local toddler groups etc. Don't put up with miserable old bints with issues.

I must admit, ds didn't take to my tits at all, despite my best efforts!

But that's not the reason for my aversion. I've no problem with discreet feeding, as most women do.

I have a big problem with a great, blue-veined tit in my general periphery, however.

Despite that I'm being gently roasted for my opinions, I know that there are plenty of lurkers who agree with me

Back to the original OP, and I'll state my case again.

If a library states that breastfeeders are welcome, then they should be welcome. So, in this particular, I don't think the OP is being unreasonable at all.

desi - what about my pert beautiful boobs, will they be satisfactory

Fark me! They're almost perfect, Noonki

But you're left nipple is a whole inch higher than your right one.

And there's a hair, just above your left ...
and a mole.

So Desi, this sort of thing is what you have an aversion to?

YANBU

I would be really happy if my 8Yo daughter and her friends saw a mother Bf her baby in the library. Then they might grow up not to have issues about such things

Dang, i thought no one would ever notice

Desi, I'm older than you & I don't give a damn about tits on display. I was a librarian 22 years ago, and was quite happy for mums to breastfeed in the library - but I only remember one who actually did - the difference was not that very few breastfed, but that very few breastfed in public.

You are right though that the age of the library assistant has nothing to do with it.