So who'd be up for some political activism? Sign up here....

[theUrbanDryadLovesCremeEggs]

ok, you might've seen me bang on about this on other threads, but i think it is absurd that it is not illegal to harass a mother who is nursing in public.

i'm thinking of organising a mass public breastfeed, somewhere like Speaker's Corner, with loads of families, kids, babies, picnic etc. it would be very peaceful, no placards, no speeches, just a load of people, chilling in the sunshine.

i'd try to get the Press involved, issue a statement, raise awareness and let the Government know that this is an issue that won't go away.

i'm going to have a chat with my local LLL advisor at the Baby Cafe, see what she thinks. but in the meantime, i would love to know what other people think of the idea, how many people would be willing to come to something like that and show their support.

TIA

i bf in a meeting with my local MP this morning - after the meeting i spoke to her and she said "It's so lovely to see you breastfeed in public. every time you do something like that it's a blow for all those old men who want to stop you!!" (think she may be a bit militant!!)

needless to say, she has already signed the breastfeeding Manifesto!!

now, i need ideas for a logo that i can put at the top of the press releases etc.....any suggestions?

Is there a recognised "breastfeeding welcome here" logo that we could ask to use?

this i think is a universally recognised one

kiskidee - that's what i thought of using. right will get on with press releases this weekend then...

Or you could use the one on the SMA tin...

lol Cazee

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Liv Tyler mentioned that she breastfed in an article in one of the Sunday papers. I wonder if Charlotte Church could be persuaded into breastfeeding in public? Perhaps on her show?

I'm new to mumsnet so just trying to catch up. I have heard of people being harrassed or too worried to breastfeed in public which I think is awful and something should be done. I have never been confronted in public (and I have fed in many places) although I have been asked to leave the dining table by my sister-in-law!

oh I've never been bothered during a public breastfeeding and I've done it everywhere. I guess it happens though.

Hello Bootoo, welcome!

i have NEVER been pestered when bf in public, i have bf my toddler in front of pensioners (on bournemouth pier !!), in coffee shops and restauarants, etc, even the seriously old don't say anything but there are parts of london/UK were people are less liberal, more likley to be rude. i live in very liberal cambridgeshire.

ds (now nearly 3) will not bf on the streets any more, too distracted, his choice not mine

Bootoo, welcome to MN!! what did you say to your SIL when she asked you to leave the table?

cause i know what i would've said!

my poor old long-suffering DH got treated to a major rant about formula companies last night while he was trying to have a relaxing bath!

i am not sure being rude back to people is the best way to increase awareness of bf - i have never been confronted in public, usually the rubbish comes from ill-informed friends/family, but i can't see how ranting/being rude back helps

yellowrose - what i would've said is something along the lines of "If we are eating then why can't he/she?" (indicating baby)

that was kinda the whole point of the picnic. it's a picnic for us and them.

no i totally understand the point of your picnic and applaud it, but we need to rise above the ranting/rudeness of the public if we are to rise above them

i have just 'officially' started ext. bf'ing dd as she is now 1. don't tend to bf in public so much as dd is the sort of twisty wriggly nightmare that results in embarrasing spurts/ exposure etc in distracting environments iykwim

Bf'd ds until he was 22m and i am happy to support bf'ing but not sure how best to do so.

bump bumpetty bump...

Well urbandryad I was a bit shocked really and lost for words. I obediently left the table and went into solitary confinement with my little boy. I made sure it was a very long feed so that everybody would feel guilty about my dinner going cold. I was cross with myself as I have always said I would not put up with that sort of thing but when it came down to it I turned into a bit of a wimp. The next time I was with her a cousin was also present who is a bit anti and I prepared myself for a confrontation (we were at an ice skating rink)the most annoying thing -neither of them noticed which in itself made a point, just a shame they didn't get it.

bootoo poor you. i havent had any negative feedback thank god, but have had dps elderly aunt walk out of the room muttering something about giving me some privacy when i started bfing dd she did however rejoin me later when mil joined me and we were sat chatting. dps aunt didnt have children of her own so i think she just was unsure what to do really

bootoo - i always thought i'd be really hardcore when it came to bf-ing but when i did get a negative ressponse i surprised myself by being quite timid about it!

i bf ds outside Iceland whilst sitting on a low wall and got tutted at by some chavs! but i also got smiles from a couple of people. i'm womdering if the major negative response i got has made me oversensitive to it....

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I may have dealt with it better had it been a stranger rather than family. Its never bothered me at any other time - in restaurants, park benches, on the floor in toys r us and lots of other people's dining tables.

yes, i always find relatives and close friends are the biggest PITA - strangers are ok !

I saw an ad today for a new album that's out ( for the life of me I can't remember the singer or the album name - something to do with woman) and it had a stylised drawing of a mother feeding a baby - i thought it was pretty cool.

I wish i could remember the name but someone may come up with it. Just thought it was a lovely representation of women.