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Infant feeding

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

Original poster

Do you think it's necessary to ask permission to breastfeed your baby in a public place

53 replies

thegirlwithsomethingextra · 26/04/2010 19:26

For instance in a cafe, in a GP waiting room, at someone else's house?

Is it good manners to ask?

Or would you just assume it is ok, and get on with it?

OP posts:
EggyAllenPoe · 26/04/2010 19:27

no, no, yes...in that order. Someone elses house is not a public place.

thisisyesterday · 26/04/2010 19:27

no, i just get on with it.

if you had a bottle of water or something would you ask permission to drink it? i wouldn;t, so i wouldn't think i need to to give my baby a drink either!

FioFio · 26/04/2010 19:28

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

LeninGrad · 26/04/2010 19:28

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

iloveasylumseekers · 26/04/2010 19:28

No No and Yes.

pagwatch · 26/04/2010 19:29

I wouldn't ask in a public place. Actually I can confirm I never did.
I probably wouldn't check at a friends house if it was just us. But if she had her DH there or maiden aunt staying or someone who might be bothered then I would ask in a 'do you need me to head off someone where ...' kind of way

moondog · 26/04/2010 19:29

Good God, wouldn't dream of asking permission in any of those places.
Or anywhere.
Ever.

onepieceoflollipop · 26/04/2010 19:29

Permission?

NO way is it necessary to ask. Hope you haven't had any difficulties op?

TrillianAstra · 26/04/2010 19:33

Ask permission if it somewhere you wouldn't normally sit down, yes. If you would be sitting there anyway, what harm does it do?

In someone's house I would more warn than ask, in a 'Hope you don't mind, just need to feed the baby' kind of way, giving the sensitive DH or maiden aunt a chance to go off and make me a cup of tea.

TrinityIsAPenguin · 26/04/2010 19:37

no no and no

your not doing anything to them

no need for permission

greensnail · 26/04/2010 19:37

No, I've never asked anyone's permission to feed my baby. The only time I can ever imagine asking would be if I wasn't comfortable and wanted to go somewhere else to feed, perhaps at an elderly uncle's house or something. But have been breastfeeding 16 months now and that situation has never occured yet!

DeborahDevonshire · 26/04/2010 19:40

I never asked for permission anywhere. Never thought of it. And I bf all over the place 15 years ago. Nobody ever said anything untoward, just got a lot of nice old ladies nodding their heads approvingly at me (and a few startled teenage boys who would run off frightened)

AngryWasp · 26/04/2010 19:45

nope. I once asked an old dear if I could sit on her front garden wall, but that was more about the wall.

She brought me a cup of tea

BrokenBananaTantrum · 26/04/2010 19:46

no no yes

winnybella · 26/04/2010 19:48

No.
I've never asked and bf 2 dcs everywhere: trains, cafes, shops and obviously friends' and family's houses.

Habbibu · 26/04/2010 19:51

No no no. Gosh, it's never occurred to me that anyone would expect you to.

RhinestoneCowgirl · 26/04/2010 19:54

I never thought of asking permission in any of those places. I do remember that I used to say something to the baby like 'do you want some milk?' when DH's family were around. FIL I think was a little embarrassed and used to beat a hasty retreat when he heard those words...

lovechoc · 26/04/2010 19:56

nope - just whip it out and feed your baby. I wouldn't even consider asking permission - let others have the problem.

Soapsy · 26/04/2010 20:02

No way. I wouldn't ask permission to bottle feed, nor for breast feeding. Baby needs feeding, baby gets fed, regardless of method of delivery.

Ineedsomesleep · 26/04/2010 20:09

I've never asked and never had any problems.

Would you ask the Receptionist at the GP's for permission to eat a sandwich? So why would you ask her for permisssion to feed your baby?

Ineedsomesleep · 26/04/2010 20:10

Forgot to say, there is a group on Facebook called:

"If you've got a problem with breastfeeding, put a blanket over YOUR head"

I joined it just because it made me smile.

assumetheposition · 26/04/2010 20:11

No. I never had any qualms about feeding in public places but probably did about saying the word 'breast' out loud.

StealthPolarBear · 26/04/2010 20:15

I was just about to say no and then I remembered I've asked twice iirc, once was today!
Asked at the supermarket pharmacy as I wanted to sit in the chairs, she said did I want a private room and when I said no, she looked worried she'd offended me DD was in hospital today with a rash, and I asked if I could feed her as they examined her - not really asking permission, just checking it wouldn't cause problems.
Otherwise, never

LadyBiscuit · 26/04/2010 20:17

No way would I ask. I think that's implying that people might find it offensive. Sod em I say

MumNWLondon · 26/04/2010 20:22

I don't think you have to ask in a public place, but maybe in someone's house I might ask were is a good place - me and DH chilled by this and friends have BF sitting at our dining room table during dinner but others not so sure about this so polite to ask where would be best.