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Infant feeding

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

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Original poster

BF in public in the uk- question from a kiwi

29 replies

kiwikaterpillar · 08/08/2013 20:48

My DH, DD (3 months) and I are coming over to the UK from NZ to visit my family- very excited, I haven't been home for 3 years.

I'm getting a bit nervous about feeding my ebf DD when in the UK though. In NZ you can bf anywhere and I have a couple of those covers if I'm wearing an outfit that's not as discreet as I may like, but I just realised I have no idea of the policy on bf in public in the UK.

Do I have to ask at a cafe if it's ok to do it before we begin? If someone objects do I have the right to feed my DD in the public (and not in a toilet?!)
Apologies in advance for being dumb!

OP posts:

TheOneAndOnlyAlpha · 08/08/2013 20:52

I believe you can bf anywhere you feel comfortable with. Depends where you are visiting. I lived in London and everywhere I went with my ds and friends and kids didnt mind boobs out all over the place. I'd pack a scarf or something just in case and you can make the call once there.

TheOneAndOnlyAlpha · 08/08/2013 20:53

You don't have to ask either btw. Feed away!

GlaikitFizzog · 08/08/2013 20:53

Absolutely, you can feed anywhere. The legislation differs depending on where in the uk you are. Scotland is it protected by law.

No need to ask permission and if someone asks you to feed in a toilet a quick death stare should suffice along with asking them their name and address to report them!

Someone with the proper guidelines will be along soon!

schmee · 08/08/2013 20:54

You have the legal right to breastfeed your baby anywhere that you have the right to be. It's quite a new law so not everyone knows this.

Culturally, I think it depends on the area. I was quite surprised when I moved out of South West London that I got some funny looks. Nothing too bad though.

Chain coffee shops like Starbucks and Costa are usually a good bet.

No-one should ask you to breastfeed in the toilet. I don't think they will, but if they do, they are breaking the law.

midori1999 · 08/08/2013 20:54

UK law says you can legally breastfeed your baby wherever you and your baby are allowed to be. In Scotland the law is even firmer on this and it's a criminal offense for someone to ask you to stop breastfeeding.

You'll be fine to breastfeed here. Some places have 'BF friendly' signs in the window and some places, like John Lewis (department store) have nice breastfeeding areas, but you can feed wherever you like.

maja00 · 08/08/2013 20:54

I fed DS in public for a year and never had any comments/looks/asked to move.

I'm pretty sure that legally if the baby can be there, it can breastfeed.

maja00 · 08/08/2013 20:55

Oh and I never asked anyone either!

Original poster

kiwikaterpillar · 08/08/2013 20:57

Thanks so much for your speedy responses- one less thing to worry about. I'll work on my "death stare" in the meantime just in case and get on with stressing about the 24 hour plane journey instead now!

OP posts:

vaticancameo · 08/08/2013 20:57

I have breastfed just about everywhere in the uk - shops and cafes, obviously, and also churches, museums, at weddings, a funeral, sports venues...I've never had a single negative comment.

Timeforabiscuit · 08/08/2013 21:02

I'm outside London but never had any problems feeding in public, just used a light shawl (and towards the 9month mark didn't bother with that), chain cafes and department stores were best as they have the space to be more accommodating of pushchairs etc

stickortwist · 08/08/2013 21:03

Ive fed in total for about 5yrs and have never had any problems funny looks or asked anyones permission in london or deepest suffolk. Didnt use a scarf or anything either

mrsmartin1984 · 08/08/2013 23:44

The sex discrimination act (1978) means that it is your legal right as a woman to breastfeed where ever you see fit. The Equality Act (2000) means that it is no a civil offense to prevent a woman to do so.

tiredaftertwo · 08/08/2013 23:51

I was in a high street mobile phone shop the other day (in London). A woman with a baby was in there, and she suddenly broke off her conversation with the sales guy, pointed at a chair and said "Right, I am going to breast feed my baby on that chair". She didn't ask or explain. Not one of the cool young guys running the shop batted an eyelid, and they just steered other customers away from that area at a busy time. Was fab - have a good trip

TheSecondComing · 08/08/2013 23:57

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

sparkle12mar08 · 08/08/2013 23:57

I fed for over three years in total and never once got any kind of comment or look, or if I did I wasn't aware of it and couldn't have cared less. I was still feeding my 16m old in public on occasion as well. Never bothered with shawls and covers, all they do is draw attention to you, presumably the exact opposite of what you actually want.

confuddledDOTcom · 09/08/2013 00:08

In Scotland you can call 999 and expect police protection, it's a £1000 fine for harrasing a breastfeeding mother.

In England and Wales it's a civil offence to refuse service to a breastfeeding mother who is legally allowed to be there with her baby, which means you have to go back after the event with a solicitor - it's pretty much toothless. However, most people have no idea how you stand legally and as long as you can say confidently that you are protected by law to breastfeed you can make people back off.

However, I've been breastfeeding for pretty much 7 years and never had an issue. I find if you're just getting on with it, look like you don't give two hoots what anyone thinks and death stare anyone who looks like they might even be thinking of commenting, you get on just fine. And whatever you do, wherever you are in the world, never ever ask if you can breastfeed because you have just given them permission to say no!

Pachacuti · 09/08/2013 00:15

I've never had a problem or even a comment anywhere in the course of bf three babies all over the place.

Melonbreath · 09/08/2013 12:53

I've fed my baby everywhere, supermarkets, trains, stations, cafes and never had a problem

Branleuse · 09/08/2013 13:01

i fed anywhere and everywhere. Dont worry about it. Ive never had any negative comments.

Mutley77 · 09/08/2013 13:05

I am British, currently living in Australia, but haven't been to NZ for 10 years....

IME I have seen a lot more bf mums in public in the UK than in Australia. Often there are bf rooms in shopping centres etc here in Australia and I often see mums feeding in those rather than out in cafes. Not sure why, or whether NZ would be more comparable to here or UK.

AlphaBetaOoda · 09/08/2013 13:07

Equality act 2010 provides protection although there's a minority ( probably the same everywhere) who will tut about it.

I've never had any problems.

dozily · 09/08/2013 13:10

I have bf 3 dc here and never had a problem. Never used a scarf or anything either (well only in the very early days with dd1 to build up my confidence!)

And never had to use a deathstare

ArkadyRose · 09/08/2013 13:24

On the rare occasions somewhere (usually a small independent cafe) has tried to ban breastfeeding, (a) it hits the news, (b) inevitably they end up with about 50 mums showing up to stage a mass feed-in about a week later.

mamij · 09/08/2013 13:25

I bf everywhere and anywhere, cafe, restaurant, playground, park, train... No one every said anything and I probably would've give. Them the evil eye. I just use a muslin to cover up, and sometimes just a cardigan when I forgot to bring anything else.

As for the flight - I found it easier the younger they are. Mine more or less slept on the flight and fed. 12-24 months is the worse as they won't sit down for long periods. Then gets better after that because they can sit and watch cartoons the whole time (rather than walking up and down the aisle a thousand times!).

DeathMetalMum · 09/08/2013 20:24

I breastfeed anywhere also, only ever had one comment from an elderly lady in M+S and it was pretty much 'well done for breastfeeding'. I don't use a cover either as I find it draws more attention.

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