So, you're in a cafe BFing. Do you want to have your order taken as normal, or would you prefer them to wait?

[organiccarrotcake]

Trying to gauge the best way of wording a Breastfeeding Welcome pack I'm putting together.

I know what I PERSONALLY prefer (being treated as normal, with a waiter/ess ignoring the BFing and getting on with things) but I know some people prefer that they wait until the baby is done.

Show of hands either way, please?

Order taken as normal.

Glass of water produced as soon as humanly possible ( I get v thirsty b'feeding) then rest of the order as normal. 40 mins is a long time to sit if you're thirsty and hungry.

I'd prefer to be treated as normal.
Also I guess if I was aiming for perfection. I'd love them to ask if I wanted tap water. Sometimes i've had waiter/ess do this and it fab. (once or twice i've even had them bring water without asking even better!)

as normal.

Order as normal.
BFing used to take what felt like hours.

As normal. And a glass of tap water ASAP would secure my repeat custom and everlasting gratitude.

Order as normal.

Order as normal. You can always ask them to come back in a bit if you want to wait until you've finished. I'm usually desperate for a drink when BFing anyway!

Order as normal & also agree with being offered glass water.

OK, fab. I've made a clear point about the water, too.

Anyone wish that the waiting staff would leave you be? If they didn't, how would you feel? Any ideas of how this could be managed?

I would get the waiting staff to ask if they are ready, just like with any other customer. I have had my waiter changed to a waitress when they seen me feeding and it made me feel self conscious.

Good point about the water.

Hmm, good point cola. That would work and be perfectly "normal" (ie just asking!).

Would anyone feel uncomfortable if a waiter/ess came over while they were feeding?

Nope, a young lad came to take my order when I was b'feeding, no embarrassment on either side.

as normal. Food as soon as possible. Most people happy to breastfeed in public can do so one handed and still eat dinner ;)

Oh, it's blooming annoying if they forget to bring the cutlery though. Not so easy just to nip up and get some from the counter!

Take my order please.

oh order taken as normal ofc. Although... this coming from the woman who continued to BF while loading the checkout belt at Tesco much to my DD disapproval who wanted me to stay still. I don't really get thirsty while feeding and would actually have been confused if someone had randomly given me water

Order taken as normal.

i would prefer my order to be taken,
if i didn't then i would say "coudl you give me a few minutes thanks"

but definitely ask. mostly i really want tea and cake while i am breastfeeding so would be very put out if i didn't get my order taken!!!

order taken as normal.
One lovely waiter once cut my pizza up into slices when I was in the early days of bf ds4 and hadn't been able to do it, It was lovely of him as it meant I got to eat warm pizza instead of having to wait and then eating cold pizza.

As normal here too :)

I once saw a lady with a very tiny baby leave her friends who were all sat at the front of a cafe and sit all alone in a sort of view-closed off bit at the back to feed :( Made me feel really sad for her! I wanted to go over and keep her company!

Normal - I would think they were ignore me if they waited. OT wouldn't occur to me that they should wait!

SleepyWombat - I was going to ask for directions to a cafe where they still take orders!!

However... to answer the question OP, I think it's essential they treat a BF woman the way they'd treat any other person and not make an issue of it at all. Not even to change a waiter to a waitress so obviously, that's only going to make people feel uncomfortable.

It would be a nice touch to think about what they've served and to see if the woman needs anything else (food cutting up , sugar, napkins, whatever).