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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

Original poster

Breastfeeding in church

77 replies

Soozey1 · 18/03/2011 17:24

Hi all

I have an 8 week old baby and am breastfeeding him but he does take a bottle in the evening too. I am going to church for the first time in ages and am wondering if it's ok to breastfeeding in church?? Or should i give him a bottle? My initial reaction is 'of course' but thought I should just ask to get an mn answer!

Thanks in advance
Su

OP posts:
Zimm · 18/03/2011 17:26

Of course is the right reaction :-) Done it a few times at various weddings etc.

FlingonTheValiant · 18/03/2011 17:28

Lots of churches have a picture of a woman breastfeeding in them, so I take that as a sign that they are ok with it :o

EdwardorEricCantdecide · 18/03/2011 17:29

i don't know i was always very much if baby needs to eat he eats no matter what but don't think i'd be comfortable in church.

if they have a "crying chapel" i.e glass room at the back/side with all the other kids i'd maybe go there to do it, you can still see hear the service but would feel bit more comfortable as only other parents or DCs in there.

itsatiggerday · 18/03/2011 17:29

Yep, done it. I did try to sit somewhere vaguely discreet, ie at the back of a section on an end so I didn't have an enormous audience but that was largely because it took me a while to get the hang of doing it fairly discreetly and I got nervous if people watched me! Never had anyone bat an eyelid. I know some churches do have a sound relay and separate room if it would make you feel more comfortable but one I went to with that didn't mind if I stayed in either.

bringinghomethebacon · 18/03/2011 17:29

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

greenbananas · 18/03/2011 17:30

Yep, it's definitely okay. (At least, it is absolutely fine in every church I have ever been to) Smile

Original poster
Soozey1 · 18/03/2011 17:33

Wow you guys are quick! Thank you all-I shall be breastfeeding my baby in church on Sunday :-)

OP posts:
moonstorm · 18/03/2011 17:37

If god didn't want us to breastfeed, he wouldn't have made us mammals. He designed us this way - he would perhaps be insulted if you didin't use the breasts he gave you. As said on another thread - Jesus was breastfed. I woudn't even cover up more than normal.

I would definetly feed. (I am an athiest, but dh isn't and he would agree with me)

SlightlyB0nkers · 18/03/2011 17:39

"Feeding baby the same way that Mary fed Jesus" would be my answer on the rare chance that somebody would object.

moonstorm · 18/03/2011 17:43

definitely

unfitmother · 18/03/2011 17:45

I would

SnowIsFallingOnLee · 18/03/2011 17:52

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

AngelDog · 18/03/2011 18:18

I would, although I've not actually done it.

Last week in church a lady was calmly feeding her 2 year old to sleep (who then had a nap on her lap all through the sermon). No-one batted an eyelid. :)

Babieseverywhere · 18/03/2011 18:23

Of course churches are supportive of breastfeeding. Our church has an award for being child friendly so I would be horrified if they ever said anything to a nursing mother. I have nursed my baby and 2 year old and no negative responses so far.

FrozenNorthPole · 18/03/2011 19:11

Like babieseverywhere, would be completely horrified by a church that wasn't 100% fine with it. I've done it loads and the only problem was that at the beginning most people didn't realise I was feeding, so risked milk spray as they leaned in to coo and admire. Luckily the few I drenched saw the funny side Blush. Anyhow, as with a pp, when I saw your title my first thought was 'Jesus was breastfed'.

meditrina · 18/03/2011 19:21

I've done it, no problems at all.

I chose to go to a pew at the back, so we could spread out a bit. Two of the old ladies from the congregation made a point of telling me afterwards how lovely they thought it was.

Squitten · 18/03/2011 20:29

I did it the other week! Right in the middle of the service - I don't think anybody even noticed. I would have loved someone to say something so I could ask what God intended breasts to be used for then... :)

Idonothaveavisacard · 18/03/2011 20:35

I've done it hundereds of times. I have also recieved communion whilst bf. Nobody cares. Its not offensive.

BaroqueAroundTheClock · 18/03/2011 20:38

yep - no problem - have sat right at the front at a 90 degree angle from the congregation and fed before now and DS3 very kindly flashed my norks at the old dears that sit on that side and I had to stop playing briefly to cover myself up again

Knackeredmother · 18/03/2011 20:42

Go for it!

onepieceoflollipop · 18/03/2011 20:45

Baroque before I read your post I had a vague memory of a mner saying she used to feed and play the organ at the same time. Then you posted. Grin

Just to add what others have said, yes it's fine. :)

Icoulddoitbetter · 18/03/2011 20:46

I fed DS at FIL's funeral so was only a couple of pews from the front and next to ailse near his pram. I also did it at a christening a few weeks ago. It's the most natural and motherly thing in the world, so I'm sure God, Jesus or any of his earthly representatives would find it offensive (though I'm afraid I'm an athiest Grin)

Icoulddoitbetter · 18/03/2011 20:47

Of course that was supposed to say "wouldn't " find it offensive.....!

BaroqueAroundTheClock · 18/03/2011 20:48

hehe onepiece - indeed - there can't be many of us that have done that (not least because most organists are blokes...........Wink).

Feeding while playing was much more comfortable than pushing the pram backwards and forwards behind me with my left arm Grin

lurcherlover · 18/03/2011 20:49

I feed DS in church most Sundays and no-one has ever said anything negative...I don't think they would as it's a family-friendly church but I almost wish someone would just so I can trot out the "how do you think Mary fed Jesus?" line...