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Infant feeding

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

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Original poster

Breastfeeding at Olympics - disgrace

104 replies

BondiBaby · 27/07/2012 10:43

Hi All,

I was hoping for some Mumsnet support on this matter. I am due to attend the equestrian at Greenwich park on Monday and have been advised by a Dr not to take my 4mth old given the hot weather. I live 5mins walk from the entrance and asked London 2012 if I can be given a pass out in order to breastfeed my baby. I have been told "there are no passes out". Given my baby will not take a bottle I am now being discriminated against and will not be able attend, unless I ignore Drs advice and take her to the event.

I have asked that the issue is escalated with their customer services but dont have a huge amount of faith that I will hear back positively before Monday. I hope reaching out to all you lovely ladies may give some pressure to the situation.

Many Thanks - Elisabeth

OP posts:

DefiniteMaybe · 27/07/2012 10:48

could you not just feed her when she needs feeding? Why would you need a pass to get out?

RealityStrikesAgain · 27/07/2012 10:48

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

CaptainHetty · 27/07/2012 10:48

The heat should be reducing from now on and be a lot more bearable anyway. It was rather daft advice from a doctor based on 3 days of high temperatures, is not supposed to be back down to about 17 degrees by Sunday?

I'm sorry to say I don't think it's discrimination, - they're not saying you can't breastfeed, they're saying (and I'm guessing it's for security reasons, which is understandable) a rule is a rule and if they changed it for one person they'd be under pressure to change it for others as well.

JuliaScurr · 27/07/2012 10:49

This is the same organisation that insists babies must have tickets even if they were not conceived when the tickets were bought? Babies that are physially unable to use their seats?
The Jubilympics could have been great if it weren't for the incompetent money-grabbing corporate cash fest.

Ludicrous. Hope you get it sorted and have a lovely time.

difficultpickle · 27/07/2012 10:53

Why is it going to be hotter at the eventing than at your home 5mins away? Is there some weird microclimate in Greenwich Park?

I don't see any problem about taking a baby to the eventing. It will be the same as taking it to a park. If there are medical reasons why you shouldn't then that is different. Ds was a poorly prem summer born and struggled to regulate his temperature. I just made sure he was well hydrated and had sufficient shade when we went out. I was never told not to take him out when it was warm.

Original poster

BondiBaby · 27/07/2012 11:09

Perhaps i should better explain, my daughter is not the best feeder and will only feed in a quiet place. There is no weird microclimate that I know of but my house is a lot cooler than the park, that is certain.

In terms of the "rule is a rule" I think that is very valid point but am aware that there are also exceptions being made and I was hoping one could be made for my daughter given she wont take a bottle. Even to the point of having my hubby bring her to the gate, i could feed her and then he could take her home (we live 5mins away). Theres no way I am not feeding her to 8 hrs, she has never gone that long.

Regardless, I appreaciate everyone being honest with me, even those whose delivery isnt what I necessarily want to hear! :)

OP posts:

nickelbarapasaurus · 27/07/2012 11:13

well, i suppose it's tricky if she'll only feed in a quiet place.

you could always try to cover you both up under a cardi or sheet?

i don't get why you've been told not to take her because of the heat?
surely it's better for the baby to be with you, and close to you in this heat than be on her own?
if you're worried about the heat, then she should wear white (or bright) clothes, make sure she's got shade, and keep feeding her constantly (it's drink as well as food).
in actual fact, I'd say that if it's hot, that'll be one thing that might be making her not want to feed, but not because it's quiet, but because she's uncomfortable.

plus, if she is hungry, if you have her with you, keep her close and she's more likely to try to feed even in the noise.

there must be somewhere inside the park where it's quieter and cool, surely?

belgo · 27/07/2012 11:14

Just take her with you, with a hat etc. It's not so incredibly hot; as long as you take the usual precautions, she will be fine.

belgo · 27/07/2012 11:15

Which doctor has advised you not to take her?

PetiteRaleuse · 27/07/2012 11:17

When I opened the thread I thought you were going to say you were being banned from bf'ing at the Olympics - which would be ridiculous.

Your situation is not discrimination - plenty of people could have valid reasons for needing a pass out - they have to make a rule and stick to it.

As long as you take sensible precautions the heat shouldn't be an issue. I assume there will be places you can go in the shade at the event. The others above have given lots of good advice.

Enjoy the event. I'm very

Rubirosa · 27/07/2012 11:18

Taking her with you and feeding as and when, or leaving her at home with a bottle, are both reasonable options. They might not be your preferred option, but you do have some choices here so I don't think it is discrimination really.

Rubirosa · 27/07/2012 11:20

It will be 19 degrees and cloudy with a chance of rain by Monday anyway.

belgo · 27/07/2012 11:20

I agree with PetiteRaleuse .

You are not being discriminated against or stopped from bfing. You can either take your baby with you and bf, or leave the baby at home the whole day. That's your choice.

The only reason you shouldn't take the baby is if she was ill, but even then, that's bad luck, and the Olympics organisers should not change rules for you.

DilysPrice · 27/07/2012 11:23

It won't be hot by then, so just take her - your GP
is not a meteorologist.

Thumbwitch · 27/07/2012 11:24

Do you have a ticket for the baby? Did they sort that out or do you still need a ticket for babes in arms?

CaptainHetty · 27/07/2012 11:26

I find it hard to believe a GP would advise not taking a baby out because we've had 3 days of hot weather, anyway. They don't melt when it gets above 24 degrees, as far as I'm aware :o

QuenelleOJersey2012 · 27/07/2012 11:26

You're not being discriminated against if they won't let anybody else have a pass out either. Quite the opposite in fact.

Not everything involving the words Breastfeeding and No You Can't Do That is discriminating.

Floggingmolly · 27/07/2012 11:33

If she'll only feed in a quiet place, why were you planning on taking her anyway? Wouldn't you still have the same problem if your doctor hadn't advised you to keep her home?

NarkedRaspberry · 27/07/2012 11:34

Take her with you. Buy some ear defenders for her.

belgo · 27/07/2012 11:35

I'm wondering if the doctor who advised her was actually her GP?

Gigondas · 27/07/2012 11:36

And take a large muslin to drape over her as you feed- not cos anything to hide but it was a useful trick when my dd1 went thru an easily distracted.

And agree its not discrimination.

PuffPants · 27/07/2012 11:39

Sorry, but they can't make special rules for everyone can they? Can you imagine how ridiculous it could get? You make it sound like bfing is banned at the Olympics which is clearly not true. I would be a bit anxious too in your position but it really is just your problem, not anyone else's to fix.

PrincessOfSnails · 27/07/2012 11:40

"am aware that there are also exceptions being made"

who are they making exceptions for and letting in and out of venues?

Thumbwitch · 27/07/2012 11:41

Just in case anyone cares, the babes in arms issue has been resolved and they don't need tickets. I expect you mostly all knew that anyway.

Trazzletoes · 27/07/2012 11:43

For those that are asking, babies do NOT need tickets under 1, provided that you have them in a carrier attached to your body, such as a BabyBjorn or other. Except for a few random venues such as Old TRafford, Excel maybe? and possibly Wembley?

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