breastfeedin in public

[leedsforever]

I don't feed in public much anyway but I've got a cover-up thing for when I do, so I'd be so mad if anyone said anything! It's not as if they can see anything even without baby being covered! But Sam does get distracted so easily and would be trying to look around at everything, and I'd probably end up squirting milk all over the place...not really the natural, relaxed look I'd be going for

Do you stay at home alot hun?? have you expressed any?? xx

 

[sam's mum]

I don't feed in public much anyway but I've got a cover-up thing for when I do, so I'd be so mad if anyone said anything! It's not as if they can see anything even without baby being covered! But Sam does get distracted so easily and would be trying to look around at everything, and I'd probably end up squirting milk all over the place...not really the natural, relaxed look I'd be going for

Do you stay at home alot hun?? have you expressed any?? xx

I'm at home quite a lot but I don't let it stop me from going out - at first I used to pump a bottle in the morning if I was going out for lunch or something, and give Sam that while I was out because I really didn't feel comfortable feeding him in public (mainly because I found it easiest to feed him propped up on a pile of pillows and it wasn't really practical to lug them around everywhere!)

Everything's pretty local here though, so if I go out he's usually ok for a couple of hours, and if he gets hungry I'll feed him. I go to other people's houses lots though, and have no problems feeding him there! x

 

[leedsforever]

its sounds like the type of breastfeeding mum I will be
Oh I do hope i can breastfeed!!

 

[sam's mum]

Good luck with it x

 

[marley2580]

Actually, it's still legal for them to ask you to stop feeding. It's hasn't become law yet.

 

[sam's mum]

So it is ...just found this https://www.ra4food.org/2008/06/16/uk-breastfeeding-laws-set-to-change-in-six-months/

Hopefully not for too much longer at least x

 

[sam's mum]

Still only up to six months when they do make it illegal for anyone to stop you though:

https://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/health/article4139093.ece

'Currently women can face charges under public order or indecency laws'

Crazy

 

[leedsforever]

so my sneaky but upsetting suspicion was right!!! Theres so much conflicting info on the net though!!

The way I see it is.... I dont think its "illegal" meaning you cannot be charged for it but I dont think its illegal for anyone to ask you to stop!!

So if in mcdonalds for example say anything they are not breaking any laws by asking you to stop!!!

 

[leedsforever]

Still only up to six months when they do make it illegal for anyone to stop you though:

https://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/health/article4139093.ece

'Currently women can face charges under public order or indecency laws'

Crazy

SHOCKED!!!!

 

[sam's mum]

According to that article in the times you can be charged ^

I show a lot less of myself feeding in public than some people do just with the way they dress though!

[edit...once again my one-handed typing-while-feeding was far too slow ]

 

[leedsforever]

I passed a friend in the street a few weeks back and said hi..... her friend was walking with her and holding her baby in her arms!! (Or so I thought)!!!

We then saw each other again and stopped to talk... I spoke to my friends friend about breastfeeding in public in which she said.... " its fine... I was just doing it walking down the street"!!! I couldnt believe thats what she was doing I really generally thought she was just cradling her baby!!! So I agree you can do it very discreetly!!

I think its so disgusting that its considered a public order offence... or indecent!!! Believe me if I saw a female breastfeeding in public whilst in uniform I would not bat an eyelid!! I wonder if other officers feel the same as me!!! I think a huge majority of officers would walk on too!!

 

[leedsforever]

As Ive just posted on the other thread

Ive just gone on my police forum and asked the question about breastfeeding in public and I also asked the officers there opinions and what they would do in a situation like this!!!

Will let you know when I get some feedback!!

 

[sam's mum]

Would be good to know, thanks! If I'm feeding Sam it does just look as if I'm holding him (or it did until he decided that feeding time was also time to play with my face, have a good laugh about it and let go of my breast every few minutes!) x

 

[leedsforever]

https://www.policespecials.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=31998&hl=breastfeeding

Ok this is a debate about the story I believe I posted about officers stopping a woman who was breastfeeding on a bench!!!

I think you can read it as a guest!!! Warning some of it may make you a lil mad... lol!!

 

[leedsforever]

ok Ive read some and skimmed it..... the thread is closed so Im annoyed I cant comment lol!!

To sum up no officer would actually approach a woman breastfeeding, however they do not agree (some) with doing it in a way where your boob is on show!! The majority said it is the most natural thing in the world.... where as some stupid comments came back so is urinating and making babies yet thats not legal on the streets!!!

Mummy and daddy officers... it must be... explained how when baby is hungry baby is hungry and there is nothing anyone can do!!

If you have an hour or so to read lol take a look!! But the idea i got is you wouldnt actually be arrested for it but may be asked to stop or if doing it in a restaurant/shop you can be asked to leave the premises!!

 

[TashaAndBump]

Would be good to know, thanks! If I'm feeding Sam it does just look as if I'm holding him (or it did until he decided that feeding time was also time to play with my face, have a good laugh about it and let go of my breast every few minutes!) x

Tell me about it! I've recently learned how to feed Anna in her sling, so that she is completely covered up and I have my arms free hehe However when I'm normally feeding her in public, it's not like I get my whole tit out and wave it around - I'm feeding my baby girl, not playing pekaboo! I often get people coming up to me, not realising I'm feeding Anna, and cooing over her before looking rather embarrassed and going, "Oh, bad time; I didn't realise you were feeding her, sorry!" Poor folks.

 

[dizzle]

I came across this just now - seems pretty up to date https://www.lactivist.net/?p=141

 

[TashaAndBump]

Mummy and daddy officers... it must be... explained how when baby is hungry baby is hungry and there is nothing anyone can do!!

Exactly! As I said in my thread about this, It's not about my right to breastfeed - but my baby's right to eat!

Someone tutted me for feeding Anna on a bus once, so I turned to them and said, "I'm sorry if you're uncomfortable - you don't need to look. Either, I (very discretely) feed my baby at the back of the bus, or you put up with a screaming baby for the whole 40 minutes of this journey!"

 

[sam's mum]

it's not like I get my whole tit out and wave it around

I often get people coming up to me, not realising I'm feeding Anna, and cooing over her before looking rather embarrassed and going, "Oh, bad time; I didn't realise you were feeding her, sorry!" Poor folks.

Exactly!! People just assume they're sleeping! I haven't had that in public but in people's houses, someone will walk into the room and come over to have a good look at him! x

 

[sam's mum]

ok Ive read some and skimmed it..... the thread is closed so Im annoyed I cant comment lol!!

To sum up no officer would actually approach a woman breastfeeding, however they do not agree (some) with doing it in a way where your boob is on show!! The majority said it is the most natural thing in the world.... where as some stupid comments came back so is urinating and making babies yet thats not legal on the streets!!!

Mummy and daddy officers... it must be... explained how when baby is hungry baby is hungry and there is nothing anyone can do!!

If you have an hour or so to read lol take a look!! But the idea i got is you wouldnt actually be arrested for it but may be asked to stop or if doing it in a restaurant/shop you can be asked to leave the premises!!

Haven't read it all yet but I can't believe anyone could compare it to urinating!! How is it any different to me eating my sandwich in the street, if nobody can see anything (and how is it any different to wearing a low-cut top if the baby is actually feeding?) x