Would you give these to people BF in public?

[Heaven]

I saw these on the Peaceful Parenting blog:

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._2210449_n.jpg

I thought they were a good idea, and a great way to encourage people. But then I thought people might think I'm some kind of weirdo if I started giving them out, LOL. I'd probably be too shy to anyway. I usually just give mum's I see BF a smile and hope they don't think I'm creepy

What would you think if someone gave one to you? Would you give them out to others?

[TeniBear]

I'd love it if someone gave one to me, but I'm not sure I'd have the guts to approach someone to give one to them...

[Kazmar]

Ithink they're great! What a way to encourage a brastfeeding mother to keep going!

[Just Me]

I would be really embarrassed if someone gave me one of those. I think some people would really love one, but I would really hate it. I just want to feed my baby without having a big fuss around it, IYKWIM.

In some ways I can see that they are a really good idea and for people that it would encourage, I think it's great. I guess you don't know who would be encouraged by it and who would find it embarrassing though.

Just my opinion

[~me~]

I am not sure I could just hand them to someone who is BF, although I may consider giving them to shop owners to put up in their window or keep behind the counter to give to customers who do BF in their cafe's or shops.

[Cherished]

It is a lovely thought but to be honest I would rather your warm smile and look of adoration for mother and baby bonding rather than being given a sticker thingo KWIM, just be acknowledging a mums breastfeeding in public with such a positve vibe is enough for her to continue to do it and feel comfortable and natural about it

[Cassius2]

TBH no. I would really dislike being given one of those. for me BF my babies has little to do with bigger political statements/awareness raising, i was such a ba humbug with DD that i would cringe when strangers would come up and 'congratulate' me.

but i am a bitter old woman in the making

i like heather22's idea of the shop owners having them up...kinda in the same ilk as the ABA 'breastfeeding welcome here' stickers....which i LOVE to see around!

[Just Me]

Cassius, I'm a bitter old woman in the making too

[helle]

I think i'd just prefer your smile of encouragement too
The handouts to me seems a little creepy, and slightly... clinical?
I like the idea of the shop window thing tho!

[littlebear]

I wouldn't like it if someone gave it to me. Honestly, it'd make me feel like I was 5 again, the whole oh wow look, i did a good thing and I got a sticker!!! Much rather a warm smile or even someone saying awww as they passed by.

Like the idea of putting them in a shop window though, that would encourage me to feel more comfortable there.

[Matryoshka]

No, i hated feeding in public so its not something i'd want to be congratulated for because i only did it begrudgingly. Also not every woman has the same "agenda", and i could see how someone could take offense.

Also imagine this scenario, two women feeding, one with bottle, one with boob... you give the "award" to the breastfeeder... how do you think the bottle feeder would feel?

Me being a long term breastfeeder and a long term bottle feeder i can see both sides. If i were the bottle feeder - i'd be like "wheres my fricken award?? I'm doing just as good a job".

[Liz]

I'd much prefer the smile too.

I would think it a little weird if one was given to me. Breastfeeding in public shouldn't need to be pointed out as something good. I'd rather it just be boringly normal.

It'd be a bit like handing out stickers congratulating those who are eating salads for lunch because they're setting a healthy example. Bit odd.

[Shanti]

The ABA sells these cards to hand out to women. I bought some recently at the ABA Qld Conference. The cards I bought are much nicer than these ones in your link. They are worded much nicer and have the ABA logo etc on them with the website so Mum's know that support is available (if and when required).

I think if someone had given me one while I was out breastfeeding in public, I would have thought it was so nice of them. It wouldn't have creeped me out at all.... everyone is different though.

Heaven, if you're interested in seeing the ABA one's I have, let me know I can scan one for you and email it to you so you see what they are.

[The[cookie]Doctor]

Sorry I think I agree with Matryoshka (but I gotta spread the love hun!).

I wouldn't be creeped out - I would definitely feel encouraged, but as I quit BFing to help cope with my depression I have bottle fed as well and I would feel very hurt. People don't know anything about other people and their circumstances, KWIM?

Breastfeeding welcome here signs would be much more positive - I guess we dont see it as a necessity as it is discrimination not to 'welcome' it - but it would be a nice reminder for us when we are feeling a bit on show I suppose.

[Roryrory]

I think they are grat! I am going to print them out and give them to women Given I am likely to have my two boys in tow while out shopping, I suspect the feeding woman would take it as encouragement from a fellow-BF'er than anything creepy....

[LaDolceVita]

What a gorgeous idea! May prefer the ABA ones if they're worded better but how lovely! There's so much negativity on the subject now that it would be nice to see something so positve for a change! Would definitely put a smile on my dial

[Miss.September]

I would be really embarrassed if someone gave me one of those. I think some people would really love one, but I would really hate it. I just want to feed my baby without having a big fuss around it, IYKWIM.

I agree.

Corelly x

[Heaven]

I'd love it if someone gave one to me, but I'm not sure I'd have the guts to approach someone to give one to them...

Me too!

Also imagine this scenario, two women feeding, one with bottle, one with boob... you give the "award" to the breastfeeder... how do you think the bottle feeder would feel?

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 would think it a little weird if one was given to me. Breastfeeding in public shouldn't need to be pointed out as something good. I'd rather it just be boringly normal.

I totally agree! Wouldn't that be great! But I think that's what the cards were about, encouraging those that are BF in public so they're more likely to do it again and therefore the more people doing it regularly, the more normal it becomes!

Heaven, if you're interested in seeing the ABA one's I have, let me know I can scan one for you and email it to you so you see what they are.

Oh, I didn't know they had them! Are they on mother's direct?? I will have a look.

I think they are grat! I am going to print them out and give them to women Given I am likely to have my two boys in tow while out shopping, I suspect the feeding woman would take it as encouragement from a fellow-BF'er than anything creepy....

Good on you! Still not sure if I'm brave enough yet.

Thank you everyone for your opinions!! I guess you just don't know if you did give them out who you would be giving them too and what their reaction would be!!