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Infant feeding

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

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Help us create a breastfeeding map of the UK

322 replies

KateSMumsnet · 25/04/2014 12:00

Breastfeeding hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons again this week, after news broke of a mother being asked to leave a branch of Sports Direct after she breastfed her baby there. It's hugely important, of course, that we all pick up on stories such as this, and offer support to mothers who are made to feel embarrassed or uncomfortable about feeding their children when they're out and about - but at times it can feel like playing catch-up.

It seemed to us that we could take this opportunity to change the rules of the game, and start celebrating those places - and companies - that make feeding on the move easy and enjoyable. So we decided to start a thread asking you to tell us about your favourite places to feed your DC in public.

Whether it's a park bench overlooking a nice duck pond or a particularly cosy corner of a cafe, we'd love to see your pictures of your tried-and-tested spots to feed your little ones. Please add them to this thread, along with their location - if we have enough submissions, what we'd really like to do is create a breastfeeding map of the UK, featuring great feeding spots up and down the country.

We've a page full of tips and advice on how to breastfeed in public, please do add any other pearls of wisdom you'd like to share below. If you want to chat about places to breastfeed in your area, why not start a thread in your Mumsnet Local site, or add a venue you love as a listing?

Help us create a breastfeeding map of the UK
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7
kiuks · 01/05/2014 20:22

South Croydon

LaTrucha · 02/05/2014 14:45

I have never heard a negative comment about bf in public in Aberystwyth.

themonstersmum · 02/05/2014 23:12

It was a while ago now, several years, but I was impressed by the personal banker in the Kings Heath Birmingham branch of Barclays. I was waiting to see her on a chair nearby and started to bf my baby. When the personal banker finished with her customer she came over to me and dealt with my problem where I was so as 'not to disturb the baby' who was happily feeding. I was really impressed at her thoughtfulness. Mind you, had anyone EVER tried to ask me to cease or move on etc they would have had quite a battle on their hands....

Isabeller · 02/05/2014 23:45

John Lewis Cambridge

WhosLookingAfterCourtney · 04/05/2014 09:22

I live in Chichester, and have never had any problems with breastfeeding in public.

Quite frankly I don't care if somewhere welcomes bf or is bf friendly, I will feed my baby wherever I please.

Having said that I do understand comments can knock some mothers' confidence and this needs to be addressed. Everywhere should be bf friendly by default.

themummyonthebus · 04/05/2014 14:31

All over the place in Rugby and Warwickshire, never had any bad experiences.

themummyonthebus · 04/05/2014 14:33

^ What she said. I haven't had any bad experiences, but equally I wouldn't care if somewhere is or isn't bf friendly. I just work on the assumption that it is.

cherrylola · 04/05/2014 16:16

Absolutely anywhere and everywhere! DS hasn't ever given me a choice! I've never thought about a favourite place before but aside from the cafés, parks and benches I frequent I think Watershed independent cinema during their cinebabies screenings has to be my fave. Going to watch an exciting new film (not a kid film or a really mainstream movie) regularly is a dream. Especially when DS was tiny and fed/slept on my chat the whole way through. Total Bliss.
Every cinema should do these screenings in my opinion!!!

cherrylola · 04/05/2014 16:18

Also, I genuinely don't think I've ever fed DS in a designated breastfeeding area!

Layter · 04/05/2014 21:14

Marks and Spencer, Monks Cross, York.

All new and comfy feeding room but also a fantastic attitude. I was having a session with the make up counter woman who was really delighted for me to feed my 5mo dd whilst I had an in depth comparative of differing mascara brushes.

Also, the titchy village that I live in. Watching an event today with the baby and toddler and dog one of the village worthies realised I was breastfeeding and got all militant about the Sports Direct carry on, "I signed the petition! That shop was out of order! You feed 'em where you like."

JiltedJohnsJulie · 04/05/2014 21:42

Bellini's Italian Coffee Shop in Newcastle, Staffordshire. No photos as mine are older now, but they are bfing friendly and do fab cakes.

Must say like many others, I've only ever had people offer words of encouragement.

IfNotNowThenWhen · 06/05/2014 14:43

On a bench, right outside the Arsenal, on Match day Wink
Didn't appear to bother anyone.

chocolatemartini · 07/05/2014 18:10

Brockley high street yesterday (while walking) Grin

wedingbelle · 08/05/2014 15:39

I live in central Manchester and breastfed my first (now 3) for 13 months and currently feeding my second (now 6 months). I have fed them literally everywhere and anywhere I have ever been in Manchester- on buses, in parks, shops, shopping centres, all manner of restaurants, cafe's & coffee shops, museums, our doctors surgery (probably every waiting room I have ever been in with a baby actually!) I couldn't say I have a favourite place as such. I have NEVER had any sort of negative experience/reaction etc anywhere, I can only assume breastfeeding is commonplace in a multicultural hub such as Manchester?

BeCool · 08/05/2014 16:08

Centre Court @ Queens Club - no problem BF my 6mo there.

PourMeSomethingStronger · 08/05/2014 19:24

The Wesley Methodist Church in Chester is fab. They have a cafe area with sofas and toys for the older dcs. I think a breastfeeding group meets there actually but I have never been. Also Chester zoo is very good with breastfeeding friendly stickers on the doors of most of the picnic rooms etc. Or just watching the lions on a bench Smile Smile

Spikeinhiscoat · 08/05/2014 19:28

BeWilderwood in Norfolk had a special bf teepee type thing, with very comfy chairs (it's basically a huge adventure playground, so to have somewhere undercover was great). Duxford aircraft museum was possibly my strangest place to feed, on a bench in front of a plane. Got some double-takes.

JiltedJohnsJulie · 08/05/2014 19:48

Four I think there is a similar thread running in MN Cheshire if you fancy adding your suggestions on thereSmile

TheTravellingLemon · 09/05/2014 08:47

John lewis Westfield
marriott Waltham abbey
Costa coffee

zoebermant · 09/05/2014 09:05

Why the hell not have a list of places that a mum can go to breastfeed if she also chooses to. I know of a chain of coffee shops where I live that give free orange juice to BF mums - we should shout out about it to all other mums so that they can benefit too and thank this business for being so friendly. It may also encourage (or shame) other businesses into doing the same!

Sometimes I want a comfortable chair, sometimes my LO is fussy and I need a quiet private place... Part of being able to breastfeed wherever I choose is having the tools and knowledge to know that there are more comfortable or more private or more "friendly" places out there IF I CHOOSE!

LJBanana · 09/05/2014 11:25

I went for a pedicure and shellac yesterday with ds3. I sat in the most relaxing massage chair, was brought water and had a lovely pedicure whilst feeding throughout. This was at The beauty Room in Preston. I now have lovely toes!

QuietNinjaTardis · 09/05/2014 18:51

I want to add the food and drink kiosk at canford park in Bristol. Needed to feed dd and it was blowing a gale so asked if I could sit in there to feed. It's tiny and she had a delivery to put out so no space but she opened the doors so I was sheltered and we had a good chin wag while dd grinned up at me fed.
There are quite a few places in Bristol that have the breastfeeding friendly sticker, cafe mundo in westbury on trym is the only one I can think of off the top of my head though.

TwoPerfectGifts · 10/05/2014 13:09

Many thanks to the woman member of staff at Clifton Nurseries in Maida Vale who thoughtfully offered and brought a glass of water as I sat feeding newborn DS next to a fragrant Trachelospermum jasminoides last bank hol Monday Thanks

fanjobiscuits · 12/05/2014 18:59

Peter jones in Sloan square london has a fab parent room, lifesaver.

CrimsonDay · 13/05/2014 07:05

Everywhere I've ever fed DS has been friendly and welcoming, even the busy Birmingham busses. Or maybe I've just never noticed if they haven't.

The Asda is Worcester is good. Food isn't awful, it's cheap, staff are lovely and they always help to carry things over etc.

I would recommend Muffin Break in Droitwich, really lovely staff and so helpful. The owner is also really friendly and they don't tut when your toddler throws their cake Blush