Hotel asked mums not to bf by pool....

[NorthLondonMum83]

I take my LO swimming at a hotel's fitness centre, part of a major chain. At the end of today's class, the teacher very reluctantly told us that mums had been asked not to bf before or after classes by the pool - as it made staff feel uncomfortable. Fine to do in changing rooms etc - but that's not massively practical, there's really hardly anywhere to sit. I feel passionately about a mum's right to bf absolutely wherever she needs or wants to (and about any mum's right equally not to do it at all!), and have fed there previously. Initial reaction was to be furious and complain to head office....Does that seem like a sensible course of action!? If I don't my partner might!

I would complain about that - and carry on feeding as normal.

You should absolutely be complaining. Your right to breastfeed where you need to is protected by law. I'd be livid.

Complain and carry on feeding! I'm guessing that it's something like Water Babies? If the fitness centre is prepared to make money out of you being there, they can hardly complain about breastfeeding. Groups of babies = highly likely that breastfeeding will happen.

Oh, well there's a law suit and a few content journalists. Name and shame the pool, OP. Totally unacceptable for the staff to behave like that.

The "uncomfortable" staff need to go on urgent 'get a grip' training.

For those who are uncomfortable I would remind them that they do not have to look.

Thanks both - sense checking really! I know I feel very strongly, I really hope it's something that has just been miscommunicated - I think that the chain is known to be quite a good employer etc. I'll put in a call.

The Equality Act 2010 makes it illegal to attempt to stop mothers breast feeding in a public place. The pool area is a public place even though you have to pay an entry fee. I'd remind the hotel chain of this.

Complain and feed away!

I always feed ds poolside at our public swimming pool, he wants milk as soon as he gets out of the water and there's always a queue for the family changing rooms so it's the only option that doesn't involve a lot of screaming.

I agree with pp that you have the right to bf your baby so I would put in a complaint to the hotel head office.

Complain and if they don't rescind the instruction I bet you'll get a different response if you all get together, cancel your class requesting a refund! Money talks!

Do they provide a place for feeding, whether from breast or bottle?

If they do, then they can require you to use it. But it needs to be suitable and convenient. It's like shopping in John Lewis. Brilliant feeding rooms, and people are steered to them, not allowed to use a random chair on the shop floor.

moggy but you can feed on the shop floor in John Lewis if you want to; it's the law.

I'm pretty sure they can't force you to use a designated area just because they provide one. You have the right to feed anywhere your baby is legally allowed to be.

Can they require you to use a feeding room? Surely not?

It would be illegal for staff in JL to tell you to go into the feeding room.

If you are legally allowed to be there, you are legally allowed to feed there. Simple.

My god that's so awful.but mostly because the staff feel uncomfortable. Bring your kids up to understand BFing is completely NORMAL so that as adults they won't be such dicks about it.

Moggy that's blatantly untrue and contrary to the training sessions I ran when I worked there. Not to mention illegal.

That's appalling. Particularly for the reason cited.
I would absolutely complain. Vehemently.

I thought the law only covered bf until baby is six months old?

In any case, I would complain to Head Office. I really don't think 'staff being uncomfortable' is a reason to prevent a baby being fed as necessary at any age...

Absolute bollocks confused, the law protects breastfeeding full stop.

As what you suggest would imply that breastfeeding is only ok up to 6 months?

They are breaking the law. I would name and shame them.

WellErr I genuinely thought the law only covered bf mothers up until six months old. I bf both my children and got a bit of a hard time in certain locations out and about, so er, back off with the tone, yeah?

My second sentence supported a complaint too. Jeez.

WellErr I genuinely thought the law only covered bf mothers up until six months old. I bf both my children and got a bit of a hard time in certain locations out and about, so er, back off with the tone, yeah?

My second sentence supported a complaint too. Jeez.