Would you give these to people BF in public?

[Matryoshka]

Me too!



I don't think I'd give them out if that would be the case, two women sitting together I mean. But I also don't think it's about bottle feeding. I don't see what's wrong with saying breastfeeding is a good thing?? It is! But that doesn't mean bottle feeding is automatically bad iykwim?

I guess because it looks like an "award", our school merit cards looked like that.... And its not a case of making bottle feeding look bad, but i can see how people could take offence. Not necessarily being next to the woman, but nearby, or ask what it was...

If you want to to change the community you need to go higher - go to every cafe/shop/resturant and ask them to display "Breastfeeding Welcome" SIGNS in their stores - that will have a greater effect than handing out a few cards. It makes the statement that breastfeeding is okay, and SUPPORTED by businesses who are a large part of the community. The more that do this will create a cascade effect and eventually lead to the acceptance and then normalcy of breastfeeding in public.

The cards are a sweet idea, but they won't create social change. Do as i suggested above if you really want to make a difference.

[Shanti]

I think that the reason a lot of woment feel uncomfortable and just want to get on with it is because of society in the past not accepting the bf woman. Why do we have to go into a mother's room to feed? Why do we have to change a baby's bottom in a special room? Its not as though a baby's nappy is going to get everwhere.

I do think though that thought does need to be given because if there were two women together and one was bf and one bottle feeding then it would be a totally inappropriate situation to give out in.

Bimboo, absolutely. You're right there. Unfortunately our society doesn't always see BF as "normal" and "natural" but it's us women BF in public who can help change that.
Yes I will quite often feed in public more so than stinky parents rooms where they stink of poo! Women can and should BF wherever they like no matter what. It's their right

As for changing baby's nappies, I can see why there are parents rooms for that... it's just like us using a toilet ourselves iykwim? I think it's for health and safety more than anything! Could get pretty un-hygienic if we are all changing babies nappies on tables and chairs where people eat etc....and I don't know about you but when they have those teething poo's.... ewww they can get pretty messy LOL!!

You raise a good point about there being a FF Mum and a BF mum together, it would be very tactless if one of those cards was handed to the BF mum it would be almost an immediate insult on the FF Mum wouldn't it? Good point.

Heaven - I'm not sure if they are on the MD site? did you find them? Let me know I can scan you one to show you! They are really great.

I wouldn't hesitate to give one out to a Mum sitting down BF.... I can understand if some people felt embarrassed or something if it was given to them but surely they would understand that the person issuing the card is only being supportive and encouraging them along? It can only really be a good thing. IMO.
I remember in those early weeks the terrible time I had when out and about trying to get DD to latch on (we had numerous probs for first 4mths) and I felt so terribly vulnerable during feed times. I would have cried if someone gave me one of those cards, it would have meant the absolute WORLD to me and would have encouraged me to keep on going even more iykwim?? So when you say you never know peoples circumstances, that's right you don't..... so that 1 card handed to that 1 Mum struggling to feed their child could mean the difference between that Mum stopping and giving up OR pushing through it because she realises "omg i am doing this amazing thing here " you know what i mean?

Matryoshka - great point about the "Breastfeeding Welcome here stickers" you can order the kits to hand out to businesses like cafes etc from Head office ABA. I have handed one out already and it felt awesome to see the sticker up in the window of the business!!!

Ok i'll hop down off my box now hehehe (sorry I get carried away with all this BF advocacy stuff - i love it!!!)

[Mrs Jak]

A friend of mine was given an ABA one while out and she found it odd.

I think I would find it a little 'weird'.. Maybe it's like those 'Women Can Do Anything' stickers. To me it's like, of course we can, why would I need a sticker to tell me that? By making a point of it is kind of like saying that it's a problem in society. Which it is to some, but a lot of people are unaware that it is and in a way that's what you want. Am I making sense? I'm a bit 'airy' today :0

[~clover~]

They are so cute
I love them!

Tell you what, the best memory of my BFing journey was on a long trip. Just me & the kids, DS only 6 weeks old. Stopped in at Macca's Armidale & had to sit & feed my screaming DS before I could order food for us, lol. Noone cared, but one woman walked past, she smiled at me & said, 'how beautiful'. Thats it, but it made me feel so much more confident for someone still finding her legs & building up her guts

[Mrs Jak]

That's a nice story clover

(On the bf topic, but different to this thread...) I just noticed your previous forum name and I think I remember correctly that you were 3rd time lucky with breastfeeding? I'm pg with #3 and hoping my story will be the same. I'd love your advice at some stage soon if that's ok?

[~clover~]

Yep I tried with my girls, but just couldn't get it right. Anytime

[deletedit]

I live in the country and just whacked grouchface on the boob every time she got grouchy (which was quite often or she wouldn't have got that nickname) and noone minded. Most memorable time was when we bought our last house and she got grouchy in the (male) real estate agent's office when we were trying to sign the contract. All I got was a rather doting look and a "aww, much better now"

But out here, I'd be more impressed that someone out here had found such a thing on the Internet and worked out how to print it off

[Mrs Jak]

"But out here, I'd be more impressed that someone out here had found such a thing on the Internet and worked out how to print it off" [/QUOTE]

LOL!