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Infant feeding

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

Original poster

What org can help with bfing legal matter?

56 replies

StarlightMcEggsie · 09/04/2012 18:05

I have a tribunal to attend wrt my ds' SN shortly. It is going to be scheduled in one of the six weeks after I give birth. I do not want to be separated from my baby on this day but will have to attend.

The tribunal cannot be delayed as every week that passes without matters resolved costs us a considerable amount of money.

Many Tia!

OP posts:
StealthPolarBear · 09/04/2012 18:07

Sorry if this is obvious, but can you not take the baby?

Original poster
StarlightMcEggsie · 09/04/2012 18:11

Yes. That's what I want but will stuffy ole judge allow it?

I mean baby won't cry as bf on demand etc. And if awake can just be put on mat behind or held.

Just not sure it would be allowed.

OP posts:
BerylStreep · 09/04/2012 18:12

Yes, why not take the baby with you?

AbigailAdams · 09/04/2012 18:12

I se to remember when I first joined MN one if the first threads I was on was about a woman who had been thrown (literally) out of a shop and she was supposed to give evidence whilst her baby was tiny and she was bfing. They delayed the trial. Have you a solicitor for the tribunal? Can they advise?

Or you could post in Legal stuff.

ahhhhhpushit · 09/04/2012 18:13

Yes judge will allow you to take breaks to breastfeed. done quite a few tribunals with babies present. just write to them and TELL THEM you will be bringing baby and breastfeeding.

AbigailAdams · 09/04/2012 18:16

Hmm not so sure such a small baby would be happy to be put on a mat. You may be lucky though. There are,also nappy changes to consider and what happens if they do start crying and won't be appeased. Depends how long you are expected to attend for.

Original poster
StarlightMcEggsie · 09/04/2012 18:16

I don't want to take breaks to breastfeed. Tribunal is going to cost us £8k so can't risk it going into day 2. It's our life savings already.

I just want to keep baby on me.

OP posts:
PestoPenguin · 09/04/2012 18:18

It's under the Equality Act. Sex discrimination etc.

In the non-work context, protection against maternity discrimination is for 26 weeks after giving birth, including as a result of breastfeeding

Who is carrying out the tribunal? Is it a public body?

AbigailAdams · 09/04/2012 18:18

Sorry I am coming over really negatively. I think they should accomodate you but it might be easier if someone else was there with you.

Original poster
StarlightMcEggsie · 09/04/2012 18:19

Expected to attend from 9-5. Baby on me or mat. Not bothered. Just no bottles and no breaks and fed on demand. It is what I'd do without a tribunal to attend. It's very important to me PARTICULARLY due to already having a child with ASD that there are no attachment issues.

OP posts:
Original poster
StarlightMcEggsie · 09/04/2012 18:20

Yes Pesto. It is SENDIST.

I am happy to have someone outside the room as a back up but not as a first solution.

OP posts:
ahhhhhpushit · 09/04/2012 18:21

I dont think you can expect the tribunal to carry on whilst you latch on etc. that simply isnt going to work. they will give you breaks to breastfeed.

the cost of legal action is one you must consider when you decide to take the action im afraid. these things run over ALL THE TIME im afraid even without a baby to feed...

Original poster
StarlightMcEggsie · 09/04/2012 18:25

Sure push it, but it being the case I can handle it, but not because I breastfeed.

Why can't I feed during the tribunal? With my last two I fed during everything. I carried them in a sling and DS fed 18 hours out of 24 and dd every 30 minutes for 10 mins.

OP posts:
ahhhhhpushit · 09/04/2012 18:31

Well you can all but ask.... they may say ok. But I anticipate they will prefer you take breaks.

ahhhhhpushit · 09/04/2012 18:32

If I were you I would write to them and tell them what you are planning to do. That way they are prepared and if they have any objections you will know beforehand.

Original poster
StarlightMcEggsie · 09/04/2012 18:33

I just don't see how you can take breaks with a demand fed baby, especially one that may want to be on the boob permanently.

And if the baby is being held by me throughout the tribunal, then what difference woukd it make to feed?

OP posts:
Original poster
StarlightMcEggsie · 09/04/2012 18:35

I suppose the question really is, what if they have objections?

What are my legal rights?

Why should my baby and my own health be jeopardised because we are challenging the illegal practices of out LA?

OP posts:
PotteringAlong · 09/04/2012 18:39

But people are telling you what will hapPen and how it will work - they will let you take breaks. It's just that you don't like the answer.

Write to them and tell then. If they say ok then it's all good. If not, cross that bridge then.

OddBoots · 09/04/2012 18:42

Do you have to be in for the entire case? Can your dh/p be in and you just do in if/when you need to give evidence?

Original poster
StarlightMcEggsie · 09/04/2012 18:43

They're going to let me take breaks every 24 minutes to go outside and feed a baby that is already sitting in my lap?

It's not that I don't like the answer, it's that I don't understand it.

Why would I or anyone else need me to leave the room. In a sling the baby woukd probably latch on by himself without anyone noticing anyway.

I'm just confused.

OP posts:
Original poster
StarlightMcEggsie · 09/04/2012 18:44

I have to be there for the whole case. It is MY case. I prepared it and managed it and although have instructed a barrister she will need me there the whole time.

OP posts:
PotteringAlong · 09/04/2012 18:51

I think it's more a question of if having the baby with you distracts from your involvement in the case then you will have to leave the baby with someone else and take breaks.

Original poster
StarlightMcEggsie · 09/04/2012 19:08

But not having the baby with me will cause stress to both me and the baby and leaving the room every few minutes will be extremely disruptive.

OP posts:
ahhhhhpushit · 09/04/2012 19:09

If no one would even notice you feeding then why even mention it? Just say you'll have your baby with you the whole time. End of. If it involves looking down, fiddling, wiping chin/yourself, rearranging etc you cant really expect to be able to do that during giving evidence with everyone watching.

If you've instructed a barrister (thats what I am) then you dont reeaaaally need to be in there the whole time.

Agree with pottering

ahhhhhpushit · 09/04/2012 19:10

Right look we've already said - write to them, see if they object. If not all well and good. If they do then you need to consider postponing or finding money for an extra day.