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

56 replies

NorthLondonMum83 · 26/04/2016 11:54

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!

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SnoozeButtonAbuser · 26/04/2016 13:03

"Uncomfortable staff" should have been told to wind their neck in by spineless management. Absolutely complain, it's bloody outrageous. And keep feeding wherever's convenient as well.

PurpleCrazyHorse · 26/04/2016 13:04

I BF poolside at my daughter's swimming lesson and I'm flashing even more than usual as I'm just wearing a vest on top (boiling hot in there!). I would happily use a room with a decent chair and stool if only because the poolside seats are awful, not because it makes anyone uncomfortable!

It's illegal and you have every right to remind them of that.

The feeding rooms in our JL are lovely and I wouldn't sit in the middle of the shop floor, but I would (and have) fed in their restaurant.

Hariasa · 26/04/2016 13:05

Complain away.

My mind is slightly boggled that swimming pool staff who no doubt look at partially unclothed bodies all day long are so upset by breastfeeding. Are they upset by skimpy bikinis?

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FlopIsMyParentingGuru · 26/04/2016 13:08

I found John Lewis cafe staff to be brilliant when I was feeding DD. They even came over and asked if they could get me a glass of water.

I know it's a deviation from the thread but they've never herded me towards the bf room

NickyEds · 26/04/2016 18:29

They're breaking the law. If you're child was 3 and there was a feeding room they would still be breaking the law in telling you to go elsewhere to feed them. And rightly so. Complaint to head office. Ask for some free swims and an apology. Their staff need re training on the law and to get a bloody grip. "Uncomfortable" ffs.

Amummyatlast · 26/04/2016 19:25

Confused I get why you are confused. S17 Equality Act 2010 specifically covers women with children up to 6 months for breastfeeding, but then s13 also covers women who are breastfeeding and it doesn't have an age limit.

RancidOldHag · 26/04/2016 19:44

I think John Lewis are fine in the cafe, but not on the shop floor.

Is anyone else allowed to eat/drink poolside? Because if it's banned for everyone, and there are goof facilities elsewhere, I don't think they are breaking the law or being particularly unreasonable.

But if anyone else can eat there, or there is no alternative suitable place, then it's dodgier.

Whatamuckingfuddle · 26/04/2016 19:51

I've wandered round JL floor feeding. Not recently but DD2 was permanently attached to me for the first year and I never once encountered any problems. I don't think anyone ever even noticed. Anyway, in answer to op you need to make a complaint, if only so they understand the law.

WaitroseCoffeeCostaCup · 26/04/2016 20:43

Rancid they are breaking the law. A woman is legally entitled to breastfeed anywhere she is legally entitled to be.

cornishglos · 26/04/2016 21:34

Can I ask if you can go to a bar/ pub and expect to breastfeed?

WellErrr · 26/04/2016 21:36

If you can be there with a baby, you can breastfeed.

Nightclubs over 18 - no; but only because the baby isn't allowed to be there.

Otherwise, you can breastfeed anywhere.

WaitroseCoffeeCostaCup · 26/04/2016 21:36

Yes you can. Not sure I would want to, but I would be 'allowed'.

Balletgirlmum · 26/04/2016 21:38

Surely a random chair on the shop floor would be a h & s issue (blocking the aisle etc)

WaitroseCoffeeCostaCup · 26/04/2016 21:38

As Well said not in a nightclub obviously Grin

SnoozeButtonAbuser · 26/04/2016 21:48

You can breastfeed anywhere you can take a baby. and a tit.

cornishglos · 26/04/2016 21:54

Thanks

katienana · 26/04/2016 21:55

A random chair on the shop floor would no more block space than a stationary wheelchair or buggy. Would you stop a baby bottle feeding on the shop floor?

Balletgirlmum · 26/04/2016 22:11

I was stopped from bottle feeding in a shop once.

WaitroseCoffeeCostaCup · 26/04/2016 22:23

Ballet I hope you have them hell!

Balletgirlmum · 26/04/2016 22:24

No, I just went to the baby chsnge. I could understand it with the risk of drips, baby sick & being in the way.

I never got asked to move when breastfeeding.

SocksRock · 26/04/2016 22:27

I used to feed on the display sofas in both IKEA and John Lewis. Never had comment made.

User4347876788 · 26/04/2016 22:33

Thanks amummyatlast - the last time this arose was when a friend was challenged, she was told it was only her right to bf anywhere up to six months, and after that the cafe in question believed they were within their rights to ask her to move to another area. Glad to know that this isn't the case! She and I both believed this was true until this thread (neither of us are the kind to be put off easily so we kept on bf publicly everywhere regardless, hence I never double checked!)

Thanks for explaining the confusion!

StuckMelia · 26/04/2016 22:37

Complain and continue to bf.. As long as you're not exposing your breast, ( I assume you're using a cover up) there's no problem with that. That's humiliating!

WellErrr · 26/04/2016 22:44

Would you like to eat under a cover StuckMelia? Hmm

Ruthiesj · 26/04/2016 23:00

StuckMelia Why would you make that assumption? And does your support rely on that assumption?