Am I missing something?

[showtunesgirl]

Went to my usual BF café this morning and the HV handed out some nomination forms. Basically they wanted us to nominate local shops and restaurants that had made us feel comfortable breastfeeding in. Once the nominations have been tallied, the top places will get a sticker to put in their window saying that they are a BF friendly establishment and in small print below this: BF is legal everywhere.

Thing is, would this actually be beneficial is what I asked as EVERYWHERE should be BF friendly as it's the law, so why bother singling out certain places?

I know some people find it difficult BF out in public but I think that this sends out the message foremost that BF should be done in "designated" places. Am I missing something here?

I agree with you, stg, but I suppose the counter-argument is that if a shop or restaurant is especially welcoming, then it's nice they are celebrated for this.

I do think the risk is that some people might think anywhere else is not 'suitable', though :(

I can see where you are coming from- everywhere should be breastfeeding friendly. For some new mothers though, the extra sticker might give them the confidence they need to BF in public for the first time, and then they'll probably go on to BF in other places once they feel more confident.

I would like to see more publicity about the equalities act so that mothers know their rights and shops, restaurants etc know their responsibilities- I think that would be helpful.

It's more of a confidence booster for mums who are nervous about feeding in public - if you are worried and you see a sticker saying "Yes you CAN breastfeed here" it helps to build confidence, and anything which increases numbers of people breastfeeding in public is a good thing as it in turn encourages others to and normalises breastfeeding.

I agree there is a danger that some people will see the signs and then worry that it's not okay to feed somewhere else, but I have a feeling that for the most part, these are more likely to be the mums who are nervous/unsure about feeding out in the first place and might have been less likely to do it full stop, if they hadn't seen the sign. People who aren't bothered about feeding in public don't tend to look out for signs, they just do it wherever (which is great! :))

It's also useful to have a list of baby-friendly places in terms of which have changing facilities etc, especially when your baby is newborn.

I do find it odd that your PCT are looking to single out just the "top" establishments, though. Ours contacted all of the cafes and baby-type shops in the area and asked if they wished to display a sticker. A couple refused, but we were never quite sure if it was because they were particularly anti-breastfeeding, or whether they just didn't want to attract mums with buggies to clutter up the cafe! I happened to breastfeed while sitting outside at one of them at one point anyway, and had no comments at all.

Yes to all points raised by everyone.

I totally appreciate that not everyone is confident about BF in public but I would've thought that better promotion of the law would be more helpful?

In our PCT the cafes have to nominate themselves and sign up to some terms. I think things like having well trained staff, some where that you can feed discretely if customer wants to.

I recently choose to eat at a place that was part of the scheme just because I think it's nice to feel welcome. Particularly since we are now feeding into toddlerhood.

I think the stickers should be offered to all places, and hopefully the majority will display them, therefore building huge amounts of confidence in people.

Interesting, we have these too, must be a national thing. I did try to raise the fact that it shouldn't be a huge list or requirements to earn one of these, we should just try to get as many of them up around town as possible.

I think its not just conscious raising among women with bf babies but also for the general public, many of whom have never really considered what its like getting out and about with a baby. Some of those people may go on to have bf babies or be supportive partners or grandparents or friends one day.

Interesting thread!

I live somewhere with a very low bf rate but have always felt confident bfing anywhere DS was hungry. Don't know much about the equality act... if that is the actual law I'm thinking of

Anyone have a link to it and info about what countries to applies to.

OP, I like your way of thinking.

I just Googled it... seems that only Scotland has adopted a can-bf-anywhere-anytime law, but that rest of UK has policies to say it is a good idea.

It is legal everywhere in the UK. In Scotland, though, it is spelled out what sort of fine is possible for people guilty of actually stopping bf - that's the difference.

thanks tiktok that's good to know.