Some help/encouragemtent for my friend please

[kayzisexpecting]

I need some help and encouragement for my friend.

Today we went for a walk and sat on the benches by the river. She has a 2 week old DS(who is so gorgeous) who she is bf. It was the first time she left the house after having him as she had a CS.

While we were there a man came over and had a go at her. He said "Why don't you piss off home and do that" and "go via Boots and get some bottles"

I was so pissed off on her behalf that I had a go at him and told him that if he didn't like it then he could look in the other direction.

She has just rung me in tears saying she is going to buy some bottles tomorrow and could I go round and show her how to make formula. I've told her not to give in as she does still want to BF.

She doesn't have the net at home so I am going to print this out for her.

TIA

Is she married/in a relationship?
I just said to dp about this and he is fuming, I know from my experience I feel 'safer'(?) when in his company so would suggest maybe she feeds in public with him there for support as well as you
You're being a great friend btw, def call the helplines, there is probably something local that will help boost her confidence.

And, and look up baby cafes for her. She will be able to go and talk through her experience there. Also, isn't it illegal in Scotland to have a go at someone for breastfeeding? I guess you're not in Scotland. What this man did amounts to a verbal assault, which is illegal in England. Next time she sees him she could take a photo surreptitiously and take it to the police. Even if they do nothing, they make log the information, especially if others have similar experiences.

what a twat!!! i never experienced negativity like this but i did get a few looks when people found out i breastfed.

some hurtful comments like 'i'd never do that' or 'i'd think it's kind of gross' etc. these really hurt when i was vulnerable and struggling as a confused 20 year old mother.

i am SO glad now i stuck it out, so proud. i think it's the greatest accomplishment i've ever achieved as it took weeks to take to it. in the end i fed her for over a year- i only started out hoping to do it for a few weeks!

i hope your friend has the courage to listen to her instincts and keep feeding her baby.

i think what he did was nothing short of harrassment and intimidation.

if only b/f mothers had an actual piece of legislation to protect them from these arseholes.

One day totalmisfit, one day.

She has a dp, who is furious. He says he will go with us the next time we want to go to the same place.

Ahh I'm really pleased to hear that

Yes there is lots of ways that she can cover up if she wants to feed discreetly.
The key thing is that it is the level of discretion required is up to the mum in other words what she feels comfortable with and not for the sake of others - they shouldn't look if feeding a baby so offends them

She has a case for reporting this to the police, whether she is in England or Scotland.

Thanks for doing this and please add my good wishes to her.

At 2 weeks I would have found this devastating and it makes me furious that people think its acceptable to make these comments!

I would seriously consider reporting this to the police, and I would personally write to our local paper. Its well read around here, and you could easily write a letter saying what a travesty such behaviour is, and hopefully make people think twice about doing such a nasty thing.

Good luck to her, and I hope she doesn't give up!

Kayz's friend, You have been very unlucky bumping into that excuse for a human.

Please don't let a stupid thick bloke make you change your chosen parenting methods.

TBH I have had very few negative looks/conversations and many more positive experiences of nursing in public and I have been nursing my DD for 21 months, so plenty of scope for critism.

Cuddle and nurse your baby and remember your son is more important than any stranger.

grrrrrrr WHAT A WANKER i would have been tempted to have shoved him the river tbh.

honestly, how dare he

re your friend, keep going, dont let that ignorant arsehole put you off, two weeks into bfeeding and you are out and about sat on a bench, thats bloody good going, you go girl seriously i send you love and good bfeeding vibes, its hard work but sooooo lovely when it works out

How is your friend today?

An update. I printed this off for my friend and she says you are all wonderful lovely people!! Thanks very very much.

She is going to keep bf as she enjoys it so much. TBH it has made me more determined to bf this baby after seeing how much she enjoys it.

Thanks soooooo sooooooo sooooo much to all of you!!!!