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Infant feeding

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Original poster

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

263 replies

theUrbanDryadLovesCremeEggs · 08/04/2007 19:46

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

OP posts:
theUrbanDryad · 01/05/2007 09:59

Parliament Square....the green bit opposite Big Ben.

i do feel honour-bound to advise you of this and also, this . it's highly unlikely that any of you will be arrested, if anyone will be arrested it'll be me (am seriously considering starting to pump a supply of EBM just in case i have to spend a night in the cells!!overreaction anyone??) hopefully a press prescence will prevent police from arresting a breastfeeding mother during breastfeeding awareness week, but you never know.

i thought i should let you all know, as i would feel awful if i got you into something which could potentially attract police attention.

Cazee · 01/05/2007 10:38

Those peace cakes looked lovely! I am bringing nice vegan cakes on our picnic

theUrbanDryad · 01/05/2007 11:03

so you're not put off then??

Astrophe · 01/05/2007 12:43

I'm - but can't get to London easily. Let us know how you get on!

Cazee · 01/05/2007 13:32

The police won't arrest anyone without warning first. They may ask us to move, and if we refuse they may arrest someone, but it is sooooo unlikely. If it looks like it is going that way we can just move.
I will make you all a lovely pink cake like in the picture.

theUrbanDryad · 01/05/2007 16:26

well i'm going to apply for permission to Charing Cross police. i have someone who is advising me (not sure he would want his name on the site, but it's someone who's well-versed in this sort of thing) and he thinks we should have no problem obtaining permission. so i'll get on that right now.

theUrbanDryad · 01/05/2007 17:19

right, well i have spoken to the Special Events staff at Charing Cross, and they have said that it would definitely constitute a demonstration, so the helpful policeman has emailed me a PDF application to send back to them. they have to give permission, by law.

i will be informing the Press that the police view this event as a demonstration and that i have had to get permission.

the police seemed very keen to make sure i would inform everyone that they had to stick to the footpaths

so - whoever's coming...stick to the footpaths!!

DonnyLass · 02/05/2007 14:29

What can we do if not bf anymore but want to show support.

IT SUCKS THAT OUR BABIES CAN@T SUCKLE

there's one placard ...

Cazee · 02/05/2007 18:10

Bring cake, I think that is the main thing

foxcub · 02/05/2007 18:18

This sounds fab - will link for my west London and post natal threads

Cazee · 02/05/2007 21:18

UrbanDryad, I have just received an e-mail fron the breastfeeding manifesto people. Might it be an idea to ask them to e-mail their contacts with the date and time of our bf picnic?

sazzybee · 02/05/2007 21:22

I'm up for this - I love a nice demo

filthymindedvixen · 03/05/2007 11:32

I'm so pleased you are all doing this, as one who suffered in a minority in our town (seemingly) when I bf my 2 all over the place

best of luck !

theUrbanDryad · 03/05/2007 13:41

anyone can come along. it's a breastfeeding picnic ut the legislation applies to ff-ers too. and if anyone else would like to come along and show their support it'd be great to see you.

i'm in the process of getting permission from the police to do it, if we don't get permission, would people still be happy to come along? i wouldn't ask any of you to put your lo's in a situation where they may be police confrontation (and obviously, we would have to move on if they asked us to)

sorry for crap typing, smal grumpy squirmy person in lap!

theUrbanDryad · 03/05/2007 13:42

(on a completely different note, Sazzybee i just looked at your pics and your lo is soooo cute! love the pic with the cat!!)

theUrbanDryad · 03/05/2007 13:44

oh and Cazee, by all means email the breastfeeding manifesto people, i have been in contact with them, and will (hopefully) be distributing leaflets with the website on, encouraging people to lobby their local MP's (that's what they're for, after all!) but the more support we get the better so go for it!

oh, and by the way, if we get permission then we will be fine to have placards, t-shirts, banners, whatever, so do your thang!!

and bring cake

PocketTasha · 03/05/2007 17:24

Hi all

I'm not nursing at the moment, but have nursed two and will again. Due in about seven weeks. Just wanted to wish you all luck and say that i think its great what you are doing. I really hope that it doesn't get twisted by the media and does come across as the positive thing that we all know it is.
I also really hope that the police don't ask you to move. If they do isn't that defeating the point? Aren't we campaigning that mothers feeding their babies shouldn't be asked to move?

Well i'll be there in spirit, i hope it makes the news!

Currypowder · 03/05/2007 18:17

Not BF ay moment but will pretend. Anyone got a cabbage patch doll I can borrow?

wishingmummy · 03/05/2007 20:26

its nationall breastfeeding week in a couple of weeks- hopefully there will be lots of women getting together where ever they can, only this week, a friend was told that breast feeding was disgusting, and if breast feeeding mothers wanted to feeed in the tea-rooms , they would have to do so in the loos!!!!! so if everyone makes as much noise as they can about it, the law will bw changed!!!! we are having a picknick here in rye, so anyone local, come and join in !!!!and if you are not b/feeding, bring a picknicka nd come along anyway, the more the merrier!

indiemummy · 04/05/2007 09:29

Hi, just bumping and also to say great idea, I plan to come and have emailed some people in real life. See you there! xx

theUrbanDryad · 04/05/2007 10:11

this is all great, thanks so much for your support!

nappyaddict · 04/05/2007 11:38

can i come even though i no lonfer breast feed?

nappyaddict · 04/05/2007 11:39

oh better not. i have an exam on the 21st.

casbie · 04/05/2007 11:53

look at breastfeedingmanifesto.org.uk

sign up from your chair - costs nought!

www.babymilkaction.org/

and support politcal awareness about breastfeeding and bottlefeeding consequences!

theUrbanDryad · 06/05/2007 09:13

bump