What is the law regarding bf in public places?

[AnnVan]

A lady from my bf group told me yesterday that she was in a supermarket, and had to feed her 4 month old. She sat on a bench out of the way to feed. Her breast was not exposed, but a staff member (with a security guard in tow) came and told her to use the feeding room (it's a tiny cubicle with an uncomfy chair in a room that STINKS of pee) She stated that it smells, and we wouldn't want to eat in a toilet so why should her baby have to? She was told that she could either stop feeding and leave or use the 'feeding room'. She bundled her screaming baby into the pram and left.

What is the law about this? It seems really cruel to force her to leave, as no one would stop a ff mum from giving her baby a bottle in public. We want to complain to the supermarket, but I thought it would be best to find out where we stand first.

Lol ruty well, only decent sized supermarket here is Morrisons. no waitrose.

LOL.
I'd love to see DP (police officer) being asked to remove someone from a store for breastfeeding

OMG

Just seen this, how awful for your friend

I know other posters have said it but its not illeagel anywhere

Its funny how people give dirty looks when your baby is crying and then if you sit down to feed they are disgusted

Sorry I could rant on about this

Maybe I should go sit on that bench and bf DS. See what happens if I don't move. Am now armed with some info, so maybe will see if the entire bf group can invade morrisons and sit there norking away in public See how they handle THAT one.

Just checked their website for a complain-email-button and they're like bloody Ryanair,any complaints and you have to write in or fax.

Seriously, seriously complain.....

Do you think he would do it VS? Is it even legal? Esp for a 4 month baby?

Go for it, AnnVan.

You might even get some Morrison's vouchers!

You should have you next bf meeting there, do they have a cafe, you could all go and have tea and bf

No Stretch, unless you were shouting and screaming or using offensive language (i.e. public order) he'd tell the store that you were not breaking any law and therefore he would not remove you.
(I'd like to think he would also cite the sex discrimination laws if I've taught him well enough )

i want to make a viral ad with this scenario and then a superhero [wearing a large maternity bra over her costume] appears and kicks the hell out of the security guard. Do you think DOH would fund it?

ah we need more policemen like that VS...

Cool! As soon as I have got over my sickness (grrr!) I think I will be having a bit of a play around with different supermarkets and their cafes! Esp as DS looks older than 6 months now!

I remember Asda had a breastfeeding friendly sticker on a table last year. So simple, but effective. They even carried my tray over for me!

If there was a Morrisons near I'd go & bf there

Sod it, let's all go to AnnVan's store & feed everywhere, in the aisles, by the checkouts ... just not in the pee smelling "feeding room".

Well Monday is bf group day, so I'll raise it then. see what can be done. That's the odd thing, I've bf DS in their cafe a few times and never had any probs. Maybe because people don't really see what you're doing in the cafe? SHe was asked to leave because another customer complained apparently.
Mind you the August PN thread ladies (me included) had a meetup in a restaurant in London on tuesday. 14 bf mums and their babes. We got some funny looks. Found out Tuesday night that a lady approached one of us and asked if we were having a 'public breastfeeding competition' and then walked off tutting. Really wished I'd heard that, as I'd have got my militant hat on.

Lol leaf Let's arrange it -and you can visit 'the garden of England' (good excuse anyway)

OMG! AnnVan, go for the bf baby group in shop thing, that'll be hilarious! this type of incidents is what stopped me bf in public the first time round, and it's just so wrong!

Woot! And think big, local press is fine, but there's bound to be a Guardian jounalist hanging around looking for a story - maybe credit crunch related with BF being free n all.

If Ds didn't have chicken pox I would be offer to my local morrisons now to feed my 13mo

Go for local press - nationals will pick up on it (not necessarily the Guardian - this is human interest story, and tabs would be interested).

I would've told them to call the police then if it's illegal. Then I'd phone environmental health about the state/stink of the 'feeding area'.

AnnVan! Do it. Round up all the ladies willing and invade! I would just to p them off! I've breastfed my toddler in my local Morrisons and only had nice looks. But I'd shout anyone right down if they dared say anything!
Why is it that no one ever says anything to those of us that would stand our ground, but always pick on those that don't feel able to bark out loud?

AnnVan, just read that you are in the Garden of England. So am I ~ well, the outskirts, but depending on just how far away you are, I'd be up for annoying the hell out of your local Morrisons!

For several months we shopped at Morrisons every week with DD1 and her breast fed DS and then had lunch in their cafe. They could not have been more helpful, providing a high chair, free baby food and chopped up fresh fruit. My DD would then quietly feed our DGS and no one seemed to notice - apart from one or two other Mums/Grannies and one rather posh old gentleman who stopped on their way out to say 'well done'. I was so amazed and pleased how attitudes have moved on.

When I fed my 2 DDs, 30+ years ago, I would not have dared to go public. In fact the only times they were fed outwith our home was at my mother's or sister's houses. We couldn't afford to go out much anyway!

solos I'm in Medway, so if you're close enough, let me know and I'll contact you so you can join in!

Granny22 I've never had any problems before, so it was a surprise that they've done this.