BF in public

[Schmickers]

Good on you for keeping it up.

I remember an episode of Oprah a while back where they had two people on - one pro-breastfeeding, the other anti. The one who was anti said something along the lines of "I have nothing against breastfeeding, but it just makes me sick to see people doing it where I can see them when I am eating lunch."

I felt like jumping through the TV and replying "I have nothing against ugly people, but it just makes me sick when they can be seen while I am eating lunch. Why don't you go and take your lunch to the toilet, and eat it in a cubicle, where nobody has to see you?"

[aussienic]

I felt like jumping through the TV and replying "I have nothing against ugly people, but it just makes me sick when they can be seen while I am eating lunch. Why don't you go and take your lunch to the toilet, and eat it in a cubicle, where nobody has to see you?"

[MantaRay]

BIg hugs LR. That is so awful. But don't feel bad, you are doing the right thing, not them. I too often fed in the middle of the shopping centre - and there was nothing wrong with the parents' rooms but sometimes I wasn't near one and it was easier to stop where I was. I have often fed on the floor in the supermarket or at Big W etc. Luckily for them, no-ones ever said anything to me LOL!! But one of my favourite bfing moments was sitting on the floor in a supermarket and a staff member brought me a chair! How thoughtful was that!

Hang in there with bfing in public. The more people do it, the more "normal" it will become and the more those narrow minded people will have to pull their heads in.

[Trish]

PMSL Michael. Good on you huni.

For me personally I think there is nothing more beautiful than seeing a baby at it's mothers breast. I am the one who gives these mum's a warm and knowing smile. I am also the one who is sitting in food court eating my lunch with my baby on the boob. I am nourishing us both at the same time, only Abbey's lunch is much healthier. LOL. I have walked around the shops with a boob in my babies mouth. The only skin showing was my fat waist, not a nipple to be seen, of course not, she was feeding from it. At the end of the day I'd rahter have my boob out and my baby happy and content than to have her screaming the shops down. Bet you'd get more looks when that happened.

LorriRae, one of the best things about breastfeeding is the ease and convieniece of it. Far too much work expressing to make up a bottle before you go out. Plus you run the risk of nipple confusion or breast rejection as the bottle is easier. Stick to your guns hun and be glad you did have a big mouth like me with you who is always quick with a smart remark back

Huge hugs huni, and if you cop it again tell em where to go. I'm not as kind as Liz

[Barb Glare]

Hi, LoriRae,
Sadly, we live in a bottlefeeding society. You have done us all a great service by breastfeeding your baby. It's unfortunate that you were made to feel uncomfortable. I have a little experiment I'd like to try. Breastfeeding mums, esp when they are new at it, can fee accutely self-conscious. But I know that bottle feeding mums also feel judged about the way they are feeding their child. How about, everytime we see a mother out feeding her child, give her a wave and a smile - say "good on you" Babies are so important to us - and their mothers even more so - regardless of how they are fed.
Regards
Barb

[Liz]

I don't see why acknowledging a baby being fed needs to be done at all, good or bad. I don't congratulate someone on eating their sandwich, nor turn up my nose if they're scoffing down fried food.

The baby is just eating, not sure why it attracts comments or looks either way.

[Roryrory]

Personally I have never had any comments on BF in public but I can imagine how mad you are. Keep up the good work

[Lolli]

Thanks for the support everybody
The state of parents rooms is really something isn't it? I have emailed the centre in question to tell them my thoughts on their parents rooms twice already and have yet to receive a reply- I think they were obviously designed by men without kids as they seem to only accomodate changing and not feeding!! That being said, another shopping centre near me has an awesome parents room- big, with massive comfy lounges that aren't curtained off and are the oppisite side of the room to the change area, a tv (yay!! especially for those long newborn feeds) and a play area on the the floor for the older kids to use while mum is feeding the little ones, and a massive toilet area that has one big toilet, one small one and is big enough to fit a pram in (go Narellan Town Centre!). It's also a surprisingly good place to chat with other mums!
I remember being totally freaked out by the thought of people feeding other people's babies before I had my own, but I've since heard lots about it. A friend of mine whose son is 18 now used to express stacks of milk for him to be given in NICU and the nurses would share what was left over between the other bubs as well. Got to better for them than formula, especially if they are premmie. Makes me wonder why there is a total lack of breastmilk banks in Australia...
And, for the record, I have nothing against FF'ing mums, I was only one painful feed away from it myself when DS was born. But I will admit it does make me cranky when anyone judges for BF'ing my baby, in public or otherwise....

[AnyDream]

God help the person who ever dares to criticise me while I'm feeding in public. I will tell them how my right to feed my baby in any public place is protected by law and then invite them to repeat themselves so I can lodge a complaint against them with the AntiDiscrimination Commissioner...Go on, JUST TRY ME!!!!!!!!!!

I'm dreadful when I'm feeding in public, I'm happy to stare around me to see who's looking, I make eye contact, and smile and generally (i'm sure) act pretty pleased with myself. So far (in 26 months of feeding) I've only ever had smiles and encouragement in return. I always try to pass that on when I see other mums feeding in public too. For every sour-lipped person who's thought a sour thought, there are probably dozens that go past who think it's great but don't comment because they don't want to embarrass you!

BTW, I agree about the general state of parents room. The thing that's a complete put off in practically every one I've ever been in is that foul nappy stench. I've got one word for you shopping centre management people: Ventilation!

[Jo Jo]

The story of the woman feeding all the prem babies reminded me of a story my mum told me. She said that when i was a baby i got BF by her family friend one day when she was looking after me and vice versa when mum looked after her boy.

My sister & i were out were shopping in a baby shop the other day & her DD needed feeding so she BF her as we walked around the shop, the sales assistant just smiled.
And she said if we ever needed to feed our DD's while shopping in the mall to come into her shop in the change room which has a comfy chair as the parents room there is not in a very nice condition.

I feed in public & in the feeding rooms only because my DD won't feed properly if there is alot of noise going on (she might miss out on something).
I do agree some of the parents rooms tend to be very smelly and most of the time there is not enough chairs in the parents rooms.
I have never had any negative comments when BF in public though.

I get comments from my brother in laws partner (who FF her 2 boys) that it looks weird when i BF my nearly 11 month old DD as she looks too big to be BF and that she would be embarressed to BF a baby that size!!


I'm sure it is only a minority of narrow minded people who say things like that but if a FF mother can feed her baby where ever she likes, than so can a BF mother.

Well said Liz!

[mbear]

I would have gone up to that ladies face and said 'you are an awful, awful person' and walked away. That makes me sick what youve told us here. Honestly, it does...

I have two little ones as well as a breastfed baby. My girls will not sit in a tiny cubicle with me at a shopping centre, so i have to breastfed Sam in public (in eatery section, or at a cafe). Ive been told by strangers i am pretty discreet, luckily my girls get the job done ()

The baby is just eating, not sure why it attracts comments or looks either way.

- breasts in society are still considered something that is sexual, not for feeding.

I honestly think there is nothing, nothing, nothing more beautiful than a full breast of milk showing, with a cute bubba suckling away. Honestly, even writing this now, it gives me warm fuzzy feelings. I often see women in coffee shops with boobs out and baby happily sucking and i secretly wish i could be that confident. I wish i could show people what a normal thing it is - mother feeding baby. Instead i usually have babys head covered, my shoulder and boob covered, thus reason i guess i have never had a comment.

Stand up and be proud hon. Pffttt to those others.......