I'm pretty disgusted with all these negative views on breastfeeding too:
Go to the toilet to feed my baby?? If you have issues, why don't YOU go to the toilet and eat your own meal there since you're finding something thats wholesome and completely natural so offensive! Not fancy that too much?... funny that - neither do myself or my baby!
As for the minority of annoying 'ladies', who insist on slapping their breasts out to make a statement, yes they are being deliberately offensive! However, these same people are the types that deliberately offend most of us all the time. They try to ram all their views and opinions down everyone elses throat - so lets do what we would do in any other situation: IGNORE THEM and starve them of the attention they desire so much!!
I started using bottles when Johnny was 6 months old, and couldn't believe how much of a pain in the ass washing and sterilising bottles was!! I was returning to work and my milk supply didn't seem to be happening, and cried my eyes out after his last bf. I would have kept it up much longer with better support.
I really think the biggest issue is that we don't have a 'breastfeeding heritage' anymore ie: if all mums were doing it, (like they had to b4 formula), we would be learning the art of bf from childhood onwards, and probably wouldn't find it difficult at all!!!
Anyway, on a more positive note to all those mums out there that are worried about feeding in public, I have to say that most people just didn't notice me at all... and anyone who did had a really positive reaction. My bump (due March) will certainly be getting the best food that nature can provide, and that no amount of money (or VISA) can buy x
I so agree... bf is just the calmest, most natural thing in the world and there's no reason to be ashamed about it and hide in a toilet to feed. Most breastfeeding mums try to be discreet and have no wish to flash their breasts. It's a wonder no one complains about knicker-less celebrities and wannabe celebrities flashing their bodies for all to see, for no good reason.
I just wanted to say, if you look at women nowadays, many of them flaunt their breasts in a very sexually obvious way - wear extremely low cut tops, dont wear a bra under see-through garments, etc. I don't know about anyone else, but personally, don't want to see that and yes, it makes mee feel uncomfortable. However, there is nothing more natural than a woman feeding her child in the way God designed her to do it, even in public. Why do you never hear those who are anti-breastfeeding in public places moaning about women exposing their breasts to flaunt their sexuality?
I agree Rozzie - lots of public toilets aren't exactly 'fresh as a daisy'.... worse still, many 'baby rooms' are not too great either.
Often the dirty nappy bins don't seem to have been emptied for days and STINK pretty badly! Nice, fresh and clean baby rooms seem to be the exception and not the rule.
Actually I haven't been in a baby changing room for a while the one in my Local mothercare used to be horriable and their toilet was pretty horriable too, so you better off breast feeding in public it probably cleaner.
I agree Rozzie - lots of public toilets aren't exactly 'fresh as a daisy'.... worse still, many 'baby rooms' are not too great either.
Many public loos have problems with discarded needles...mmm not the best place to feed.
I agree with a previous poster about equal rights for mums in whichever way they choose to feed. Though I have found as a rule women have more of a problem than men (who jst display mild embarrasment then look away )with bfing in public.
I recommend that both Verity and the posh woman from the 60's go and have their dinner in their local MacDonald toilet next time. Posh woman can take her grandchildren in there and Verity her cats nad dogs. Then they will know how nice it is to bf a baby in there !
maybe we should start a petition and see if we can't have CV and Spock chic locked in a macDonanld toilet 'til they finish their meal.
CV could have the extra pleasure of being starved and sleep deprived first, being force fed three courses and then left to sleep in the (freezing) park outside, despite her cries of protest!!
I've been appalled at the lack of facilities for mothers and babies in the UK. It is no wonder people find bf difficult when their such lack of support everywhere. I went to Australia for a couple of months after my baby was born and even in country areas there are clean, spacious rooms to change and feed your baby with lounge chairs and sometimes even play areas for toddlers. And the health visitors actually seem to know something about bf... Here, if you are lucky to be out shopping where there are some facilities they are usually cramped, have bins on the same room as feeding, have chairs with no arms (not much fun for breastfeeding), or no hand washing facilities ! I feel quite comfortable bf in cafe's etc but sometimes you need somewhere quiet to go if your bub is a bit unsettled etc. As for using toilets... it is a disgrace that this woman was allowed to state this on national television and seemingly get away with this as being an acceptable comment !!!
i am definatley a discreet breastfeeding mum. I have a friend who is not, I really dont think she does it on purpose, I think she just hasnt mastered the art. It does become difficult when your darling baby decides to pull away mid-feed to have a look around!!! I think its disgusting to suggest that any baby should have to be fed in a loo, discreet mum or not!!
I breastfed my baby (she is now 3, so not that long ago), I never had any negative comments, but a few dirty looks. Had anyone asked me not to do it, I would have said NO! I even breastfed on the bus a couple of times.
A baby has a right to be fed and a mother has a right to a life outside the house. It is the most natural thing in the world and if anyone has a problem with that it's their problem.
Glad to see that so many people were horrified with this comment (my poor hubby is demented from listening to me!)
I have a 20 week old little girl, whom I breastfeed until she was 7 weeks when unfortunately our other daughter (16 years old) was killed and the baby was removed from our house (to stay with my mother-in-law for a few days while funeral took place)as I was not really able to produce any milk due to shock. I desperately miss the feeling of feeding and couldn't recommend it highly enough.
In Norway maternity leave is 12 months and 99% of ALL mothers breast-feed.
This is proof of the ongoing brain-washing by advertisers and corporates that goes on in the rest of Western Europe and the lack of Government support that breast-feeding gets, is our now scary obesity problem in small children a direct consequence????
My baby is only 5 months old. We still meet up with our postnatal group in a restaurant once a week. Its quite a trendy pub/bar type restaurant and the manager is a young bloke. A few weeks ago two older ladies sitting near us complained to him about "the breastfeeding". His reply pointed out that they support it and apparently have a sticker saying so in their window and that as its the most natural thing he really couldnt see why they should have a problem with it. YEY!!
What is quite sad is that only 3 out of 10 of our group breastfeed.
