 |
Breastfeeding in public
Some time ago I was sitting on my (now ex) mother-in-law's sofa with my new born. She left the room to make me a cup of tea. On her return she gasped loudly, dimmed the lights, and rushed to pull the curtains. On the opposite side of the road, some 80 feet away, builders were working on the neighbour's roof. The cause of ma-out-law's horror? I was breastfeeding my baby. The distance, small windows and lack of binoculars on the part of said builders did not stop her from considering my behaviour, at best, that of a brazen hussy.
A few weeks later I was in a swanky restaurant, again with my babe, and again breastfeeding. Despite my loose flowing top and artfully draped muslin cloth, a waiter came over, told me I was offending the other customers, and asked me to remove myself to the toilets and continue feeding my child there. The trouble was my very expensive lunch had just arrived, I was starving, and I didn't give a tiny rat's arse that offence had been caused. I asked the waiter to move the offended customers and their lunch to the toilet, and stayed put.
These stories may surprise you but when I had my babies five or six years ago it was the predominant attitude in the UK. So much so, that we had to pass a law specifically stating that discrimination against women who were breastfeeding was an act of sex discrimination, and was illegal.
The thing is that everyone, from the World Health Organisation to your local midwife, tells you that breast is best. So if you want to breast feed your baby, then you have to either stay in your house at all times to avoid causing offence, or go out and feed your baby if required. I for one do not consider it sensible to expect a mother to stay in her house for months on end.
Here's another thing: It's just a breast. The vast majority of us either has them, or has spent most of our lives trying to see as many naked ones as possible. Entire industries have sprung up around the world devoted to ensuring your access to naked breasts, real and in print, whenever you may want to see/squeeze/watch one. Why the sudden prudishness?
And whilst I'm at it, since when did those tight-arsed diners have an inalienable right not to be offended? I am offended! I am offended by their inability to allow a discreet and natural event to take place, and their belief that their sensibilities come before anyone else's. Had I sprinted topless round the restaurant squirting breast milk into their lunch I might have understood the horror, but I didn't (I was tempted though). Tough life isn't it? Be offended, Grandpa. No one dies.
So my advice to new mothers is get ‘em out and go for it. Let's end this absurd attitude toward feeding children. It's just boobs and babes after all.
You May Also Like
Comments (20)
-
Report
Fri Feb 3, 2012 - 8:32 am
The alternative is a screaming baby after all - which is much more offensive!Reply -
2 replies, Last reply by Mummy Whisperer on Mon Feb 6, 2012 at 3:57 pm
-
Report Mon Feb 6, 2012 - 2:21 pmThat's mental - I can't believe people complained - absolute madness. From the man's perspective I can tell you that we don't tend to look, we really don't - there's a time and a place for boob spotting and that isn't it. I doubt catching a glimpse would put me off my lunch though...Reply -
Report Fri Feb 3, 2012 - 9:36 pmGood for you! I've never understood the point of being offended by a breastfeeding mother, but a the same time supporting the arts (aka Lots Of Nude Models Celebrating The Human Form). I get that everyone has their threshold, but please! If the nurturing of new life offends a person, perhaps they should take that as an incentive to look deeper into why. Perhaps, for example, while they huddle in a toilet stall with a plate on their laps to escape The Evil Boobies. My child is not a deuce; we are not going to conduct our business in a stall, thanks.Reply
-
1 reply, Last reply by Liz Dawes on Sat Feb 4, 2012 at 9:19 pm
-
Report
Sat Feb 4, 2012 - 4:45 am
It's been a long time, but I breasfed everywhere. And actually did shoot milk across the room once, at a party!Reply -
1 reply, Last reply by Liz Dawes on Sat Feb 4, 2012 at 9:15 pm
-
Report
Sat Feb 4, 2012 - 7:37 am
This is ridiculous. I am 20 years old, planning on becoming pregnant at the end of the year with my partner, and believe that breast is best. There are so many disgusting chemicals in baby bottles!! Breastfeeding is better than exposing my child to harmful toxic chemicals that may affect them later in life!! These people that complain were most likely breastfed yet they're so against it?! Go suck a fat one I say!! Maybe they should be worrying more about proper issues that are actually affecting our world like starving kids in Africa! Get your finger out of your ass and get a brain! People are way too petty!Reply -
1 reply, Last reply by Liz Dawes on Sat Feb 4, 2012 at 9:14 pm
-
Report Fri Feb 3, 2012 - 2:57 pmDid you see the section on Good Morning a few weeks ago (think it's called that the one with Holly and Phil! rarely watch daytime TV so sorry to be vague) anyhow I digress! The section was about the pressure surrounding breast feeding and the public attitude. I stopped breast feeding my daughter at around 8 weeks because I became stuck in the house afraid to feed her because of the odd looks, tuts etc from public. I was a 30+ Company director, confident to the point of cocky so if I felt under pressure how would a younger less confident new Mum feel?Reply
-
3 replies, Last reply by Liz Dawes on Fri Feb 3, 2012 at 5:47 pm
-
Report
Fri Feb 3, 2012 - 2:38 pm
Amen, sister! Some people need to grow up.Reply -
1 reply, Last reply by Liz Dawes on Fri Feb 3, 2012 at 5:07 pm
-
Report Fri Feb 3, 2012 - 10:30 amI breastfed four children in total - in the 1980's and again in 2001 & 2003 - didn't vary my routine, went to high end restaurants regularly and cinemas. Thankfully for waiters, other patrons or passersby, no-one dared ask me to cover up, remove myself to the toilets to nourish my child or leave a restaurant - had they, I might of decked them right then and there and caused a huge PR nightmare for the establishment in the press. When did it become alright to show graphic murders, autopsies, simulated rapes, decaying bodies post earthquake and Tsunami, charred remains after bomb blasts and graphic sex scenes on prime time television, but the nurture and nourishment of a helpless innocent baby, a human being that may grow up to save lives, write Pullitzer prize winners, pay taxes, nurse countless sick people and simply continue the human race, as well I might add, breastfeeds from a mother sustainably without enormous environmental impact on the planet caused by methane released by cows (formula), chemicals (to clean the bottles), plastic (petroleum to manufacture bottles), petrol (to transport bottles & formula from far flung countries to point of sale), well, when did that simple biological sustaining of life become obscene? How twisted has the world become? Jacqueline Pascarl. Melbourne Australia. www.twitter.com/PascarlReply
-
1 reply, Last reply by Liz Dawes on Fri Feb 3, 2012 at 10:49 am
-
Report Fri Feb 3, 2012 - 10:33 amSo freaking true. I breastfed everywhere (still do) and I had a raft of things that I had prepared to say to anyone who dared to look at me sideways... thankfully I didn't have to but I was ready! And @ mummy whisperer, I always felt worse having a screaming baby. There were many times I abandoned shopping trolleys in the middle of the supermarket and fled to the car as people aren't quite so tolerant of noise!Reply
-
1 reply, Last reply by Liz Dawes on Fri Feb 3, 2012 at 10:47 am
Enter the word as it appears in the box.