to object to breastfeeding friendly schemes

[Babieseverywhere]

I have been reading this thread and the related website.

I understand that this group has great aims and is/will be helpful to many breastfeeding mothers but I don't like "breastfeeding friendly schemes"

I just think that in asking permission for something we already have a legal right to do, is setting a dangerous precedent. Some cafes/shops might feel having said no to the scheme that they have some right to hassle nursing mothers (which they don't)

I worry that by having safe ghettos areas where breastfeeding is allowed, may cause more problems for mothers who wish to feed where needed and don't wish to be shut away

Surely we should be pushing the law to protect all mothers from feeding their babies in any safe location. My rule of thumb if a baby can be safely bottle fed somewhere, it follows that this is also a suitable place to breastfeed.

sorry stealth, was your "was that to me" to me (if that makes sense?!)

It was general really, I know no-one meant literally ask for permission to feed, but IMO asking to put up a sticker is kind of an implied request.

But guerrilla sticking sounds fun anyway - let's go out with our babies strapped to our chests and put nipple stickers on unsympathetic businesses

as a customer, i do agree about the posts that say not having a sticker could be perceived as a way of telling BFers they're not welcome, but!

as a shop owner, i don't have a sticker (i'm sure there must be a scheme around here but i've not subscribed to it) mainly because i don't want it to look like it's an odd thing to do.
what i do have is a couple of signs dotted around my shop that point out a "mother and baby comfort room" (with a clipart picture of a mum BFing on it) and obviously, there's a room to follow it up. It also has a comfy firedside shair, heater, soft light and a chest of drawers with emergency nappies and babywipes in it (not advertised because i think it has to be health and safety assessed if it looks like a nappy-changing facility)

it's not in the toilet and i don't make women use it (they can get their baps out on the shop floor if they want, doesn't bother me )

Stealth, Not for you. My comments are for the people who set these schemes up and think it is reasonable to ask the cafe owners to make a judgement on mother's feeding choices.

nickelbang, your place sounds nice, where are you ?

yes it was
thanks
hmm... i do see what you mean
maybe it should be the other way round - baby unfriendly stickers that some cafe owners are forced to display if theyve been naughty!
no-one going for one of TF's tattoos then?

the manifesto isn't just about this though

sittingbourne (children's book shop)

is that advertising? sorry HQ if it is!

Lol at "with a room to back it up" - do you think people would look askance if you just said "Here!" and pointed to the shop floor

Ok, I have a new scheme.

It will consist of a circular sticker, with a cartoon picture of a breast underlined with the words "WHAT A TIT - harassing breastfeeding women is illegal"

It will be for women to sticker places that have not welcomed breastfeeders.

Any takers?

yes!
after all many mums (bf or ff) will then want to avoid
with their dosh

I have a better idea, a very large sticker for people who are offended at the sight of babies nursing to stick over their eyes.

That way they won't see anything to upset them

i don;t see a problem with stickers showing that the cafe owner realises it's fine to bf in public though
a bit like a bumper sticker or poster
if the stickers could do that it would be a good thing

at theyoungvisitor!
"we don't hide BF mothers away here, you know! [stern matron face]

theyoungvisitor you have made excellent points on this thread, totally agree with you.

Also that "baby friendly" would be a much better sticker to put up in places.

I can definately see the point about stickers making bfing seem like something that needs to be done with permission, but...

something needs to be done to make bfing more normal in public. I hate bfing when I'm on my own because I never see anyone else do it in public, except for bfing friends of mine. I have a friend who never bfs in public because she's so self conscious about it and it's making her really isolated- she always has to be home before her baby's next feed

Baby friendly sounds good

I found this (it's not all of the article, but it sums up that it's OK to BF anywhere)

"UK mothers who breastfeed their children, are celebrating after the government clarified today that mothers are, and always have been, free to breastfeed in public places. Breastfeeding mothers are also protected in law under the provision of goods, services and facilities section of the Sexual Discrimination Act when breastfeeding, whatever the age of the baby, in places such as cafes, restaurants, libraries, surgeries etc."

I think that BFF stickers would not work, as many have said, a lack of stickers in some cafe's/shops would be seen as being non-BFF, which isn't allowed.

Surely a better way would be for all public places to receive a leaflet that would enlighten them, and would then know that BFing is allowed anywhere?

Also, the amount of literature that new mothers take home from the hospital, surely a really useful addition to the Bounty packs etc, would be a credit sized card that states the law regarding BFing, that can be shown to resisting cafe etc owners which will take away the need for potential conflict.

Yes I like the idea of the "baby friendly" sticker too.

"surely a really useful addition to the Bounty packs etc, would be a credit sized card that states the law regarding BFing, that can be shown to resisting cafe etc owners which will take away the need for potential conflict."

That is an EXCELLENT idea IMO.

In fact, even just the knowledge that there IS such a law would help people's confidence immensely, IMO. I think too many people are unaware that it is their absolute RIGHT to breastfeed in public.

I think seaglass's idea is FANTASTIC!!

Like many women, I was pretty sure that it was OK to BF anywhere but not totally sure and had nothing to back it up with.

I will certainly feel more comfortable feeding DD when she arrives now and would love a card or some leaflets to keep in the change bag to back me up if ever I was asked to stop.

I think it might be a bit terrifying as a new mother to think that you will need to prove that you are 'allowed' to feed your baby. It might put more people off bf altogether.

I love Seaglass's purse card idea and educational leaflets for all public places

Anyone got a spare baby? I am feeling all excited about breastfeeding again. I got milk but no baby yet!

It's so sad that women are made to feel nervous or self conscious of Bf in public.
I am generally as mild-mannered as you can get but it makes my blood boil when I hear of women being asked to stop breastfeeding in public. How dare someone demand that we deprive our babies of the nourishment they need
It's not as if we get our boobs out for the pure enjoyment of it is it? Well I don't anyway And i always make sure that nothing potentially offensive is visible. Fortunately i have never been challenged but I also tend to go to places where i feel more comfortable, where women with babies and young children are more common. It's truly ridiculous that we should feel like this.
So over all I am against stickers as we should not need permission to feed our babies when they need fed

Completely agree with the OP.

Theyoungvisitor - i love your suggestions, especially the sticker!