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Who thinks breast feeding in public is disgusting?

173 replies

MrsDoolittle · 24/03/2005 13:43

And another thing while I am at it (thinking that is). Did anyone listen to Jeremy Vine discussing breast feeding last week? I was absolutely flabbergasted at the number of people that phoned in and said bf in public is disgusting. I think discussion was in response to talk of the Scottish Parliament banning restaurantuers from asking bfing mums to leave - please correct me if I am wrong.
This is not a breast feeding versus bottle feeding thread but I can't believe any man would feel like this in this day and age, let alone a woman!

OP posts:
misdee · 24/03/2005 21:42

the only time i 'hid' to feed when was dh very elderly granddad was down this way fir a visit after dd1 was born. he just didnt like the idea of breastfeeding, and instead of feeling uncomfortable with him feeling uncomfortable i went upstairs to feed dd1, and dh and his brother came up to chat to me.

but generally i just whip them out anytime, anyplace

handlemecarefully · 24/03/2005 21:43

Good grief no! I think the Scottish parliament are spot on with their legislation.

hatsoff · 24/03/2005 21:43

does anyone think that those who did the "breast is best" campaign with posters in hospitals and gps surgeries would have been far more succesful if they had had a campaign along the lines of "feed in public or spend 6 months not going out" in shops and restuarants.

DixiExpat · 24/03/2005 21:43

Its natural,normal, what breasts were created for.Cow's milk is for baby cow's and Mother's milk is for human baby's.So, anyone offended by animals suckling their young?
If more women breastfed because they weren't so ostracised by the public, there would possibly less uncontrollable brats running about lol.
I think there would be so many healthier kids out there,behavioral problems included.

MadameButterfly · 24/03/2005 21:45

I have not read all the replies on this thread, but how would thoue people that dislike breastfeeding in public to be asked to eat their meal in a poky little room.

That is basically what is being asked of the child and nother.

My dd was bf and if she was hungry when I was eating she got fed too (discreetly). I was never asked to stop, but if I had been I would have given them a piece of my mind.

aloha · 24/03/2005 21:46

Today I have mostly been feeding in a cafe and a park. No looks, no comments, no nothing.

lucykatie · 24/03/2005 21:48

its just me i suppose....i would NEVER say anything to anyone who was bf in public and would never turn my nose up at it, and yes i agree it is MY PROBLEM, so i deal with it in my own way....just dont look at it.....simple.

i really really do not want to offend antone or start a war on here, just thought i would give my opinion.
one of my friends bf her ds and i did noy comment on it at all, when she 'got em out' i just went and made a brew or made myself busy.

snafu · 24/03/2005 21:48

'Repulses' is quite a strong word, lucykatie.

I guess you won't be signing the petition then?

milward · 24/03/2005 21:48

Have bf everywhere - bf is a normal function of breasts to feed & comfort a child or children - if others have a problem with it's not my concern. Every mother should do what she feels comfortable doing not what she is preassured into by others. I'd never bf in a bf room - try getting 3 kids in there happily for a good half hour or so - or imagine treking to this room to find little one just wanted a quick comfort feed. Better off bf in a cafe, on a seat somewhere, in a queue at the post office, supermarket etc, where life takes mum & baby. Bf offers freedom to mums so why should this be curtailed & confined by society?

lucykatie · 24/03/2005 21:51

and just for the record i DO NOT think that any bf mummmy should go into the loo, soecial room changing room etc just because people like me dont like it, its the mummys choice and none of mt business where you feed your little one, i dont go to a special room etc to feed mine.

ionesmum · 24/03/2005 21:52

I b/feed everywhere and love it . I couldn't manage it with dd1 and it broke my heart. Now I am with dd2 and I am so proud. And no-one has objected, or thinks it's disgusting as far as I can see. Why people might object doesn't interest me at all. It's sad for them to be so unable to see breastfeeding for what it is but that's their problem. Breastfeeding is the most beautiful thing in the world and I thank God for it.

lucykatie · 24/03/2005 21:52

i agree....'repulses' is a bit harsh, just dont like it...

SORRY

lucykatie · 24/03/2005 21:54

snafu......call me dumb....what petition?

snafu · 24/03/2005 21:58

this one campaigning for legislation - like that recently passed in Scotland - to make it illegal to discriminate against breastfeeding in public.

spots · 24/03/2005 22:03

I find the 'breastfeeding area' thing very telling. Particularly those places which have a special baby change area, murals of colourful cartoon characters on walls, chairs, bottle warmers... and SEPARATE area for b/feeding!!! Like mothers and other babies/toddlers can't cope with the sight of a bit of flesh. Heavens no. I have b/fed DD for 10 months now and have so far had no comment. But it's these things that say so much about public attitudes towards bfeeding, because after all let's face it, most people who object to it aren't likely to be extroverted enough to approach a complete stranger and make snidey comments.

The quietest place I b/fed DD was on top of the hill overlooking our neighbouring town. You can see it for miles around and from it you can see every person at every bus stop, but they can't see you because you are too far away. It was very discreet indeed.

lucykatie · 24/03/2005 22:08

signed it, as i agree that bf mums should not be asked to leave etc.

ionesmum · 24/03/2005 22:14

luciekatie, that''s very open-minded of you!

MadameButterfly · 24/03/2005 22:17

Before I moved my local M&S had a cafe added to it and therefore toilets.

I decided to feed my DD in the disabled toilet/baby changing area,(she also needed a clean nappy) but there was no chair in there.

I requested that the management put a chair in as although I did not mind feeding in public, some mothers are shy and it is not very nice having to sit on the toilet to feed a baby.

After 2 or 3 requests a chair had still not been placed in there, I threatened them with feeding my DD in the cafe and being very indiscreet about it.

Needless to say, the next time I went in to change DD, there was a chair.

lucykatie · 24/03/2005 22:18

like i said before... no i dont like it, but thats my problem, and as a bottle feeding mum, i would hate to have to sit in some dirty loo or leave a restaurant, so why should bf mums have to?
if a mum is bf and i am sitting close by, i just dont look, it doesnt offend me its just not my choice, its like porn, i dont like it so dont watch it or read it....bad comparison i know!

aloha · 24/03/2005 22:19

Re comments about John Lewis, they don't have breastfeeding rooms to stop you feeding elsewhere - you can feed anywhere. I love JL, the only shop to ever bring me a chair when I was pg and in a queue to pay. And I did hear that someone who complained about a breastfeeding woman was told in no uncertain terms that she was welcome and he wasn't to harrass her!

Caligula · 24/03/2005 22:21

I have to say MB, it just simply never occurred to me to feed my baby in a loo. If any signs ever suggested it, I just ignored them.

I don't eat in a loo. I would never suggest that anyone else would. It strikes me as an eccentric choice, but if someone wanted to go in for it, well, who am I to criticise them. I just wouldn't dream of it for me and my children though. It simply wouldn't cross my mind. I would always choose the cafe. Loos are for shitting and pissing in, and cafes are for eating in. Am I very straightlaced? [puzzled icon]

moondog · 24/03/2005 22:28

I aint gonna go anywhere 'discreet' to feed my kid, however lovely it is or however many mellow cds there are to play. As far as I'm concerned, it perpetuates the whole 'shameful' myth (can I use a woman wearing a headscarf analogy here???)

But.....even I find the 'boobs in yer face' style of breastfeeeding practiced by some a bit much and possibly rather firghtening and offputting. Don't know that it does anyone any favours,but hey, often the radicals (of whatever persuasion) cut a swathe for the less forward???

Lucykatie..........wow..............

lucykatie · 24/03/2005 22:29

caligula, i agree, loos are for poo's and wee's....like you said you would not eat in one and i wouldnt either.

aloha · 24/03/2005 22:31

I have fed in JL's feeding rooms. I didn't always want a coffee (or to pay for one) or to sit in uncomfy cafe chairs just to feed my ds. Sometimes I just wanted to sit peacefully in one of those lovely rocking chairs instead. No shame, just a different choice. Sat having a nice chat with Anna Walker in the Sloane Square branch once!

Gobbledigook · 24/03/2005 22:33

DixieExpat - 'If more women breastfed because they weren't so ostracised by the public, there would possibly less uncontrollable brats running about lol.
I think there would be so many healthier kids out there,behavioral problems included'

What are you trying to say? If it's what I think it is, I think you are being rather offensive.

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