What should cafe/restaurant staff be know about BF?

[LostMyPants]

Following on from this: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/_chat/2062333-Help-us-create-a-breastfeeding-map-of-the-UK

What would it be useful for restaurants and cafes to tell their staff about breastfeeding?

I was thinking:

1. BFing is welcome in our establishment
2. Sometimes BFing takes a long time
3. BFing mothers may be quite thirsty
4. Some mothers prefer more privacy when BFing

Is there anything else?

I am sure they are lost, I am just being a bit thick.

sunflower-" I like when people bring me things." don't we all!!

Women who are formula feeding also need space, would like to sit near the windo, next to toillets, in fact mmothes with toddlers would like this too. Or elderly people.
It's nice if these things happen of course, but not something we sgoudl expect just because we are breastfeeding.

Agree with BonjourMinou. Not everyone finsds breastfeeding so easy that they can walk around, order and pay for food and take it back to their table whilst feeding. And not everyone is happy to do it in very exposed seats whilst they are still fumbling around, learning how to do it in a way that makes them feel comfortable. I think op is well meaning.

THermo , I agree not everyone does, but should that mean special dispensation for breastfeeding women? Most formula feeding women would not be able to carry food and feed a baby at the same time either.
If a woman is not comfortable feeding in public she can find a more private setting, but it's not up to the restaurant to provide that. A courtesy, yes, as they may offer to any other customer who is struggling for whatever reason.

I am not saying op is right. Just well meaning. I found bfing relatively easy with DD1 - although I couldn't walk around feeding - and I was quite confident feeding in public. I had to formula feed DD2 not through choice, and it is the case that it is easier to stop a formula feed to get a drink, and you don't get get the physical 'feel like I might faint' feeling when formula feeding generally. But of course you still need help with balancing stuff to get back to your table.
I just find some of the attitudes on this thread, which is meant to be about making breatfeeding easier, a touch depressing. Just because some people find it a walk in the park, doesn't mean everyone does.

I too think the OP is well meaning, but perhaps does not see the wood for the trees.
Not sure what you mean about that "feel like I might faint" feeling though.

I agree it would be nice to be asked if you need anything brought over or be offered a glass of water. My baby can feed for over an hour so even if i ordered a drink at the beginning i could easily run out of it and feel thirsty again. And I don't find walking around with a latched baby particularly easy.

I used to get incredibly thirsty whilst breastfeeding, and without getting a drink I used to feel a bit faint. Obviously not whilst formula feeding. I thought it was normal but it seems not.

Accept that's it the norm and doesn't need special treatment.

What is the norm? Bfeeding? Not according to the stats I have seen. Can someone point me to the latest stats.

No I don't think it is common thermo- wise to carry water around.

I don't want to sound churlish, it's just that women have fought so hard for breastfeeding to be "normalised" that many don't want to be singled out as something unusual. If you know you get thirsty while breastfeeding then carry extra water with you.

A good cafe should be helpful to all its customers, whether wheelchair users, someone who struggles to read the menu, a busy Mums with children, an elderly person who struggles with their seat etc, it's part of being a good establishment.

As good intentioned as the OP is, I could just see this backfiring.

Oh ok! DD1 sometimes used to take me by surprise as I fed on demand, so wasn't always organised. Thanks for your advice but I am not having any more babies my two are hard enough work

It's okay, I have accepted that my idea made less sense to others than it did to me! That's why i asked about it on here :)

Lost I think it's fantastic that you want to help other mothers have a good breastfeeding expereinece. have you thought about other ways you can help- becoming a peer counsellor for instance, or a breastfeeding counsellor?

Cafes and restaurants are supposed to offer tapwater to customers by law anyway?

Legally they are only required to serve free tap water if they serve alcohol, no obligation otherwise.

www.moneysavingexpert.com/shopping/tap-water-rights