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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

Original poster

so what's the ettiquette for bf at a wedding?

27 replies

deaconblue · 17/07/2008 20:49

Will be feeding dd still when I go to a wedding in Germany in September. I personally wouldn't feed in the church but am wondering about feeding during the reception. We will be the only english people there and I have no idea what Germany's attitude towards bf is - am I likely to offend if I feed at the reception?
p.s I know I should be confident enough not to care what people think when I feed my daughter but it is our friend's special day, we won't know anyone else and I don't want to feel awkward.

OP posts:
iBundle · 17/07/2008 20:51

of course you should feed her, I bfed my dd at our wedding!

prettycupcake · 17/07/2008 20:51

I don't know about Germany but if you needed to feed in the UK you could and should do it when the baby needs it, in the Church if you need to, I doubt there is a single person who would mind.
(unless you are the bride and do it whilst making your vows and even then I think you'd not have too much of an issue)

Ineedsomesleep · 17/07/2008 20:59

I'm sure your friend would rather you feed your baby than let it scream.

elmoandella · 17/07/2008 21:00

i'm sure if your feeling self conscious about it , it is a wedding your going to. there will probably be an outdoor garden area. take a shawl and go for a wander for a bench in the gardens. someone would have to be really nosey to come up and see if you were giving baby a wee hug or breast feeding under the shawl.

EffiePerine · 17/07/2008 21:00

why not ask her if you're worried? I can't see that anyone would bother with you feeding a baby anywhere tbh, including in church

CantSleepWontSleep · 17/07/2008 21:01

Don't think that God will object if you feed in a church designed for his worship .

broguemum · 17/07/2008 21:03

My experience of Germans (DH and family) is that they are very pro-bf and won't bat an eyelid if you choose to bf at the reception, in the church where ever. Hope you have fun!

broguemum · 17/07/2008 21:03

My experience of Germans (DH and family) is that they are very pro-bf and won't bat an eyelid if you choose to bf at the reception, in the church where ever. Hope you have fun!

Habbibu · 17/07/2008 21:05

I fed in Church, well covered - think the whole congregation felt that was better than dd screaming... Did get a few double-takes as shawl wriggled.

Pannacotta · 17/07/2008 21:06

Also think Germans are very pro-breastfeeding and am sure will be fine wherever you feed your baby.

iBundle · 17/07/2008 21:11

I've bfed at mass too

katiepotatie · 17/07/2008 21:15

You should do it wherever you need to, surely they would rather that than a screaming baby. You shouldn't feel awkward your doing what nature intended

katiepotatie · 17/07/2008 21:15

You should do it wherever you need to, surely they would rather that than a screaming baby. You shouldn't feel awkward your doing what nature intended

katiepotatie · 17/07/2008 21:16

You should do it wherever you need to, surely they would rather that than a screaming baby. You shouldn't feel awkward your doing what nature intended

Original poster
deaconblue · 18/07/2008 11:38

thanks. Will look into choosing an outfit a nice shawl will look nice with.

OP posts:
SqueakyPop · 18/07/2008 11:40

Wear a two-piece outfit and feed as she needs it. Crying is much worse, and the only thing that will draw attention away from the happy couple.

SqueakyPop · 18/07/2008 11:44

btw, I breastfed at my confirmation (not intentional, but I was called up sooner than expected). The bisohop was most chuffed about it, I think.

tiggerlovestobounce · 18/07/2008 11:44

Feed if you need to, I see nothing wrong with breastfeeding in a church.
The german people i know are all much less self conscious about body stuff than the british people, so I would be surprised if anyone raised an eyebrow.

Smithagain · 18/07/2008 11:48

Please don't worry about feeding her in the church. I'm quite sure Jesus was breastfed ...

Seriously, when DD1 was a baby, I fed her in church pretty much every Sunday. And so did the other two breastfeeding mums - we had quite a little production line going!

We used to go to a pew at the back, just so that we weren't distracting anyone from the service. Not that they would have objected - just that they like to coo over babies!

At the reception, I'd look for a quiet corner, just so that your baby can concentrate - but maybe that's just me. My babies were not that great at feeding in noisy surroundings.

MrsBadger · 18/07/2008 11:50

same as anywhere else
don't hide it don't flaunt it, just do it

have bfed through many weddings and church services - ideal way to keep her quiet IMO

ruty · 18/07/2008 11:51

why on earth wouldn't you want to breastfeed in church?

Original poster
deaconblue · 18/07/2008 11:53

dunno, never go there myself but thought if you can't get your shoulders out in an Italian church, norks might be even more frowned upon...

lol at thought of someone frowning on my norks

OP posts:
SqueakyPop · 18/07/2008 11:56

If you lift your clothing up from the waist then everything is covered. I would never pull a strap down to breastfeed - too much expanse of flesh!

Brangelina · 18/07/2008 11:58

You can bfeed in an Italian church, no problem, priests and nuns very pro. The Vatican is now uncovering all the bits that previous generations covered up in the frescos and pictures.

Last wedding I went to in Italy the bride was German, her "witness" was bfeeding a 3mo in the front pew while they went through their vows.

It's only the Brits that are funny about it IME.

milfAKAmonkeymonkeymoomoo · 18/07/2008 12:08

I bf my DD at her christening, just need to consider the clothes you are wearing i.e. no dresses two piece much better - can recommend wearing a strappy vest under a top which you pull down and another top you pull up which exposes very little. Also wraps are all the fashion for weddings these days so I think you could bf in comfort and not feel self conscious. IMHO Europeans are far less uptight about these things than the English!

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