Did you know that it is illegal to ask a woman to stop breastfeeding in the UK in a public place, unless it is a single sex place such as a Mosque. Women are protected by the law.
As regular readers know, this household has recently expanded with a new little addition, and my daughter (GD) is breastfeeding the little one.
While she has not had any issues from shop or cafe owners, etc., in relation to her feeding the baby, what she has had (and I witnessed this today) is looks of distaste from other people.
It's not like she has her whole boobs out, or even uncovers a nipple for heaven's sake, in fact my daughter covers herself like this when feeding out and about:
you can hardly see the baby until after the feed.
The NHS invests a lot in promoting breastfeeding and it is widely acknowledged that the benefits are fantastic for both mum and babe.
GD said today that she could see why people stop breastfeeding sooner than maybe they had planned to.
This was nothing to do with sore nipples, 'hot spots', tricky feeding bras, breast pads or leaks: no, it was totally to do with the sneering look she was given by one lady.
I just wish, if I ever had one wish, that people would stop being so ruddy judgemental to others.
Babies are always going to be around.
Boobs are beautiful things and they are fantastic at producing just what babies need.
And I say "tits" to anyone who wants to disapprove!
http://www.maternityaction.org.uk/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/breastfeedingpublicplace.pdf
I agree with you, people should just accept it as it is- nature!
ReplyDeleteI breastfed Stephanie and attempted to feed Dylan. I had very unsupportive comments from friends and family, as well as the 'stares' from strangers. I gave up after a week of struggling with Dylan, when I had Stephanie I was older/stronger and fed until she weened herself off.
My new granddaughter is also being breast fed and she uses one of the scarfs whilst feeding,You do not see anything when baby feeds.Isabelles daddy is 25 and when he was a baby we went to Windsor ,we went to a cafe because he needed feeding and i was asked to leave,i dont normally become abusive but on this occasion i did and refused to leave until i was good and ready.
ReplyDeleteWell done for GD for feeding baby,they will both reap the benefits
xx
I do so agree with you. I was lucky enough to have baby no. 1 in Rome - the Italians are SO into the whole idea of families and it is considered perfectly natural to feed babies in public. Babies 2 and 3 were born in Hong Kong, where breast feeding is regarded as rather savage. I was very discreet though and was never 'found out'. I do think it is sad how breast feeding is perceived in the UK, especially when discreet care is taken not to overtly offend sensibilities.
ReplyDeleteKim
Bravo! I agree with every word. Love to your daughter and the delicious babe xxx
ReplyDeleteSo sorry your daughter has witnessed this. I am breastfeeding my fourth baby and have only ever had positive reactions when feeding out and about. There are understanding people in this world. :-) Much love to you all x x x
ReplyDeleteI agree with you absolutely! Good to hear that your daughter is getting on well with her new baby. My D-I-L uses a selection of pretty scarves when she is breast feeding in public. She`s quite a shy person as well as being discreet.
ReplyDeleteRecently I was thrilled to see a young woman breast feeding in the middle of the Tate Britain Pre Raphaelite Art Exhibition. She was sitting in front of a beautiful painting while her baby fed contentedly. I`m sure the artists would all have approved :-)
How lovely that your daughter has chosen to breastfeed. Such a shame SOME people have such a weird attitude to it when it is after all something completely natural. Babies need feeding and....well....boobs were made to feed 'em!!!
ReplyDeleteI loved breastfeeding and luckily for me the only person who was ever funny about it was one of my uncles...even though I always used a shawl to cover myself and my daughter when feeding in company.
I stopped at 13 months but only because the hormones made my ligaments very stretched and affected my joints. Worth it for the amazing joy it brought me (gotta love that oxytocin) and the benefits to my daughter. No funny looks or comments could have stopped me.....I enjoyed it too much but being sensitive, I know it would have really upset me.
Hope your daughter doesn't let it affect her too much x
I lactated for six years (several babies) - just ignore people who have issues with it, they are dying off quite fast which is a bit of a relief in some ways.
ReplyDeleteThe breastfeeding lot and the non breastfeeding lot are both pretty horrible to each other at times. There are good reasons for doing both and the only person whose business it is, is the person doing it. Breastfeeding is generally best although not for ALL mothers or babies. When a mother is feeding her baby she should be left in peace to get on with it without interference. I have seen lots of breastfeeding mothers but they were all doing it discreetly. Even if they weren't, what matters?
ReplyDeleteHow lovely that your daughter is breastfeeding. My daughter is breastfeeding my granddaughter and I am so proud of her and pleased that it is successful. She was only able to b/f her son (now aged 2 1/2)for 4 weeks because of cracked nipples that wouldn't heal. Interestingly, when she was bottle feeding, a woman told her it was dreadful that she was not breastfeeding - quite the opposite of many people's experience, but my daughter got very upset because she WANTED to b/f but was unable to. I suppose that it is important to respect each woman's decision, but I think that many more women would choose to b/f if society's attitudes were different.
ReplyDeleteAs a mum that fed her own kids and a granny who has a daughter-in-law who says she feels she's been doing it constantly for 8 years, I can't for the life of me see what there is to get upset about. 99.9% of all nursing mums do it discretely.
ReplyDeleteWe've just had this issue get an airing because of some stupid comments made by a bloke who is co host on a lightweight entertainment programme here in Oz. Send your vitriol to David Koch at Channel 7's Sunrise programme.
So, as you can see, it just keeps going around and around. Pretty stupid really.
To quote the Yarn Harlot when someone reading her blog took exception to her talking about breastfeeding and writing "certain" words. She answered "nipple, nipple, nipple, breast."
ReplyDeleteIt's ok to see boobs all over the tv in adds for anything from icecreqm to car parts. But boobs to feed a baby not on! Stupid people they annoy me so much!
ReplyDeleteHear hear. Well said. What are boobs for if not to feed your baby.
ReplyDeleteCarolx
Whilst feeding KL discretely in a cafe 17 years ago I was given what can only be described as filthy looks by a man who was seated nearby. He then complained, upon which I told him that her table manners were far better than his ( he was seated at a nearby table - I could hear him chomping and see the food swishing round in his mouth), and that I was having to endure that yet hadn't complained. He soon shut up.
ReplyDeletegoogle 'the boob beanie' and get knitting! I'm sure it will help with the disproving looks. I fed all 4 of my babies, and very occasionally got disprovimg looks.But I also remember feeding one whilst in church, having a serious conversation with an elderly, suited man. He commented on how quiet the baby was, and I said it was because I was feeding him. He hadn't realised, despite standing within 2 foot of me. He was slightly embarrassed!!
ReplyDeleteI remember this argument when my eldest was born almost 21 years ago - so sad that it seems to have made very little enlightened progress - interestingly I too received hostile reactions from my sister-in-law because I had to bottle feed as my big bazookas were built for decoration only and made no milk at all - my poor three all dropped almost 20% of their birth weight before I admitted defeat and had to resort to formula - you are very fragile as a new mums, hormones, sleeplessness etc and people can be very cruel - I have to say if, when my daughters or potential daughter in law ever receive such hostility with their future babies I shall have to sit on my hands and bite my tongue to stop me reacting in a very unsavoury fashion
ReplyDeleteI wish someone could tell me why it's ok to have boobs( usually 99% silicone) all over the tv and magazines but if a woman is doing what boobs are meant for then it is somehow offensive. Good luck girl and keep up the good work!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely agree with you! I breastfed both mine in all sorts of places. I suspect these people would complain more if the baby was wailing with hunger!
ReplyDeleteI agree with you also. Some people would complain if the wind changed direction. Just ignore them.
ReplyDeleteSadly I couldn't breast feed my two - rushed back to hospital where Jess was born in Spain & shoved on antibiotics for mastitis her on a bottle... with Joe I guess I was worried & didn't try for long.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your very sweet comment xx
Too flippin right, as long as its done discreetly I don't see why Mums can't feed anywhere and so they should if they want to. I managed in the middle of a shopping centre, in a church at a wedding etc!
ReplyDelete