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Infant feeding

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

Original poster

Breastfeeding in the swimming pool?

220 replies

AuntPepita · 21/08/2012 21:13

Does anyone have any thoughts on this one?

I went swimming with DS (15mo) earlier and he was tired, grizzly and signing milk, so I fed him. The lifeguard eventually cottoned on and asked me to stop, so I did, but the more I think about it the more annoyed I am. Should I just suck (ha ha) it up, or make a fuss?

He was happy for me to feed at the poolside, just not in the pool.

He was perfectly polite, but I suspect knows nothing about the mechanics.

OP posts:
candr · 21/08/2012 21:17

I have heard of this being done before but not seen it yet. I think it may be safer for you to feed poolside rather than in the water unless you are sat on steps or sitting in shallow end. They can not ask you not to feed but may be thinking about your LO swallowing water if he wriggled around or you slipped.

terrywoganstrousers · 21/08/2012 21:18

I'm not sure on this one tbh- I'm all for feeding wherever but surely feeding in the pool includes an element of milk escaping into the water? Even if just from the other breast? and it's a bodily fluid after all.
It doesn't sound like the attendant was being arsey if he was happy to Have you feed on the poolside?
I don't know.

terrywoganstrousers · 21/08/2012 21:19

And what candr said- I hadn't thought about that side of it!

YoullLaughAboutItOneDay · 21/08/2012 21:21

I think it is reasonable TBH. I am not sure slippery baby/toddler balanced across lap feeding is the best idea. The lifeguard would have to keep quite a close eye on you.

Original poster
AuntPepita · 21/08/2012 21:22

See part of me thinks, meh, kind of reasonable, but part of me feels like I should be cross Confused

OP posts:
Original poster
AuntPepita · 21/08/2012 21:23

He had a wetsuit on (outside) so was quite grippy!

OP posts:
NotInMyDay · 21/08/2012 21:24

I too am all for feeding whenever and wherever. My caveat being that I believe breast feeding mothers should try to be discreet.

I would have thought from a safety point of view that poolside would be better. As an analogy - being asked to sit down and feed on a train rather than standing in a busy carriage. Does that make any sense?

WantAnOrange · 21/08/2012 21:26

He didn't ask you to stop feeding then, just asked you to move to the poolside? I don't see the problem. No-one else is allowed to eat in the pool.

FiveRingsForDinner · 21/08/2012 21:26

I was swimming with the baby last weekend. I wouldnt feed in the pool. Not necessary - and I 'd be a little put off at the prospect of boob leakage into pool. Whether the dC is hungry or just needing a bit of time out - I think they'd be more comfortable on dry land. The only thing that would sway me would be if I was meant to e supervising an older DC - in which case I'd sit on the edge of the pool.

SchrodingersMew · 21/08/2012 21:27

I totally believe in anyone bfing being allowed to feed anywhere but tbh I would probably leave the pool if someone was bfing just the same as I would leave if an adult was eating in the pool, it's really unhygenic.

I would be cross if someone doing that wasn't asked to stop, it disregards anyone else in the pool and also puts the baby at risk if you were to slip.

needsadviceplease · 21/08/2012 21:27

I don't think bf mothers need be 'discreet' at all. Breasts are not offensive.
Otoh, I think the lifeguard was being reasonable. Am sure you knew you were safe but bet he had to keep v close eye on you and after all he has a whole pool to watch.

Original poster
AuntPepita · 21/08/2012 21:29

Thanks all for your considered opinions. I shall let it drop.

Can you imagine if I had posted in AIBU Shock

OP posts:
needsadviceplease · 21/08/2012 21:30

Btw - have to say I think a little bm would be the least of my hygiene worries in most pools I've been in!

Rubirosa · 21/08/2012 21:31

Feeding in the pool is a bit grim!

winnybella · 21/08/2012 21:31

I agree with the guard. I'm all for breastfeeding everywhere and I don't think women need to worry about anyone getting a glimpse of a nipple and I have BF mine for ageees BUT I would not necessarily want to see milk leaking into a pool I'm currently swimming in. Sure, kids pee into the pool etc etc plus it's chlorinated/oxygenated, but still it's a bit off-putting, tbh.

BF at the poolside, covered or breasts out, wouldn't bother me in the slightest.

ash6605 · 21/08/2012 21:34

I love thè thought of people bfing anywhere but from a safety aspect id say poolside would've been better. You wouldn't really get a bottle out in a pool would you?

thingamajig · 21/08/2012 21:35

Just a thought on milk in water vs poo or pee. Dairy farmers have to be extra careful about milk getting into waste water - more so than manure as the high protein content makes it more hazardous as more bugs can live off it, causing a worse algal bloom.
Sorry, I know that is a weird post.

ThisIsNotHoneyDragon · 21/08/2012 21:36

I would have suggested feeding at the poolside simply because it gives a chance for the milk to go down.

I wouldn't let a child drink any kind of heavy liquid whilst swimming in case they were sick / spar it out in the pool. Smile

ThisIsNotHoneyDragon · 21/08/2012 21:36

Spat.

confuddledDOTcom · 21/08/2012 21:38

To all the people worried about the leakage, lets ignore the fact that if you're a breastfeeding mother you are likely to leak any time or that at 15 months leaking isn't that common, you know when you're in the pool and your eyes start stinging? That's not chlroine making them sting, it's urine. So before you say you're worried about milk leaking in the pool, I hope you put as much thought into the amount of urine in there!

Right, I can see a safety concern about being IN the pool to feed, but that could also depend on where in the pool you are. Discretion, "eating in the pool", leakage etc are ridiculous arguments.

whenwill · 21/08/2012 21:38

wouldn't baby maybe be sick after a feed and then swimming?

SchrodingersMew · 21/08/2012 21:43

Confuddled Have a look at Thingamajig's post.

reddaisy · 21/08/2012 21:44

I think the lifeguard was reasonable too. I often take my two DC swimming by myself and I have been tempted to bfeed ds, 10 months, at the poolside but as there isn't really anywhere to sit other than at the side of the pool with my feet dangling in then I have ended up getting both children out of the pool to feed him in a changing room which irks me as it would take about two mins to whip down my cossie at the poolside. I am not sure whar I am saying but I can see why you did it as there is nothing more convenient than bfeeding!

tazzle22 · 21/08/2012 21:44

well AP I sure would not be put of by a little bm in the pool considering all the snot, saliva and wash off from creams, lotions etc never mind the other body fluids that are in most pools. I think the possible amount of leakage would be minimal compared to waste cows milk ( sorry thingamajig) so not a high risk.

Cannot see any problem really .

SchrodingersMew · 21/08/2012 21:47

I also don't see why others arguments are ridiculous because they don't want to be in water with someone bfing.

And an adult wouldn't be allowed to eat in the pool so why should bfing be any different? why is that a ridiculous argument? Confused

I guess it's only okay to use the 'well if an adult can eat there why think badly of a baby doing the same' type argument if it's arguing for bfing. Hmm