How can this advice be true?

[cardigan]

Just chatting to my friend this evening & she told me that she went to a breastfeeding talk last week. She asked the teacher about bf in public to get some ready ideas on places to feed & was told a good place to bf was always to be found in the ladies changing rooms with the curtain closed. Her idea before this was to feed when she had a coffee or lunch or even at the playpark. I've bf everywhere & told my friend that it is ok to bf when out of the house but now she is confused. She doesn't want to have to shut herself away in a small changing room with her baby but this is what she was told. I thought it was ok to bf in public now - & have bf without any probs. What is the current advice on this?

Hatter - I think she'll rate this advice & mine but you know what it's like when someone who is trained says something. If she bf then I will help her confidence. She's seen me bf when we're out. I think this talk comment just went against what she was thinking.

your right Spod! When i had my son the midwife told me that i was well within my rights to make a fuss if i asked for somewhere to bf in a restuarant (if i did want somewhere private) and was offered a toilet. Apparently they are "not allowed" to suggest a toilet. And if you are not accomodated and get no help from the manager you can sue! Not sure i'd go that far mind you, but she felt mega strong about it too.

Spod - I'll try the milk in tea trick!! when I'm next out. Perhaps the bf talks should have this one in I wont let her near the loo for bf - worse than wondering around clothes shops. It really was unhelpful advice she got - but these comments will help bring her back to reality.

I think the saying is "You don't sh*t where you eat!" And this is that... Literally!!

PT - another good thing to say. Why don't the bf talks cover this point of view - would help everyone.

if i see a woman bf in public, all that crosses my mind is...'ah how lovely' and 'i wonder if she wants a cuppa tea'..... cos thats what i always wanted!

Off to bf!! will print this out. Thanks to all.

Sad thing is it's to screwed up minority that make some bfing mums feel self concious that need to be spoken to. Society is so Fed up!

Link about adventurous feeding locations.

I'm Cardi's friend and just wanted to say thanks. I've just read through the bf location answers and this and it is great. I hope to breastfeed and I hope to get a computer!! I think one will be more possible than the other in near future. At my breastfeeding talk (mainly good) I just wanted local tips on good places to feed as I'm new to my area. Was a bit shocked at changing room suggestion. Can't imagine asking someone if I could bf. I've seen Cardi bf everywhere with no problems and hope to do the same. Even if I use formula I wont go into a changing room to feed so don't see why bf is different as such. Just wanted to say thanks for the super info. It has changed my view back again.

Cardigan here now - Thanks all for helping out.

at first i was very clumsy with and made a real mess, boobds spilling and shooting milks whilst i wrestled with the bra strap, baby and muslin sqaure, i was very shy with exposing my boobs and would feed in the bedroom with friends around which progresses onto feeding infront of them with a muslin square to hide boobs, i soon become a real pro as yu do with practice and could wip a boob out and latch baby on with one hands whilst eating a sandwich and having a conversation in a cafe wit no muslin square and without showing my boobs so its all practice really and confidence. i think everyone is really shy at first. i think you do need to respect people around you and not sit there with your breast hanging out dripping milk whilst winding your baby... my aunty was like this - so embarssing, she might as well of shouted "LOOK EVERYONE, LOOK AT MY BIG TIT, IM BREASTFEEEEEEEEEEEDING"