Breastfeeing in Italy - how is it viewed?

[Cyee]

I'm about to head on hols to Italy with my 14 week old LO. Has anyone experienced what it's like to bf in public there? I'll be in Tuscany.
Thanks!

Try the Mumsnet Littly Italy thread.

Thanks Anna8888

It's perfectly normal practice here, you don't even have to worry about being discreet. I still bfeed my 2 year old and I've never had negative comments and people will make space for you in bars etc.

Oh fab - that's great news. Thanks Brangelina

just did it myself there - was fine - no strange looks.

Anna, I felt I did get some funny looks while bfing in public in France. Or was I just being paranoid?

The French are strange about bfeeding, I mentioned once ot an ex client of mine that I was intending to bfeed my lo and she asked me why! Said that it was bad for your breasts or something .

chipmonkey - in certain segments of society breastfeeding is frowned upon, yes . And it's not really OK to do it in public except perhaps discreetly in a park with a newborn.

I've never really cared, I certainly have breastfed at other people's houses and even once in the Café de Flore.

I bf a 3 mo in France, Italy and Switzerland (we were based in the Alps) over the summer with no problems. I am by nature, reasonably discreet - I don't bare my breasts at all.

I didn't even get looked at twice, except for by lots of older ladies in France and Italy who cooed relentlessly at the baby and didn't mind that my French/ Italian wasn't up to chatting with them properly. They just wanted to talk to the baby. It was hugely endearing.

I have breastfed in Italy (in fairly glamorous restaurants and hotels) with no problem, now I think about it, and I wasn't alone.

You will be fine, very normal and very much the norm I believe?

You'll be fine. Just be prepared for people to ask you constantly whether your baby might be cold. (This will be true even if he's wearing three jumpers a coat and a blanket!)

Have a lovely holiday.

lol Ellhell!

Thank you all for your comments. I feel really relieved.

I cannot WAIT for this holiday... mainly because it means all this washing and packing will STOP

Have a great weekend.

Ciao