Should This Mother Have Been Allowed To Breast Feed Her Child In A Swimming Pool?

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2392654/No-petting-bombing--breastfeeding-New-mother-ordered-stop-feeding-son-waist-deep-swimming-pool.html

[baza]

so mum takes little sprog to the pool, whilst in the pool sprog wants feeding, mum whips out booby and stuffs it in sprogs mouth. Did she not think about the chemicals her boobs may have come into contact with? I have no objection to feeding babies as and when but I think this mum should have taken the little one out of the pool , washed her booby then fed the little one, after all, you would not eat your dinner off a plate swimming (pun) in chemicals.

[Anngel123]

There is usually leakage when baby has had enough. I do not think it is appropriate for this to be in a public pool. It's just weird.

[ferryman]

I am free to burp, fart, spit and vomit anywhere I choose, but there are times and places where I would not do any of those things willingly - and in the prescence of any other member of the human race is my default position.

[ferryman]

Sorry I didn't finish post I was going to say well said andy that's how I see it!

[hippyhoppy]

Just scanned though the answers, but agree with the ever correct Mr Hughes... I have no objection to breast feeding (fed both of mine) but in a pool..? Bit weird to say the least.. Show some decorum woman!

[jackthehat]

///I am free to burp, fart, spit and vomit anywhere I choose, but there are times and places where I would not do any of those things willingly - and in the prescence of any other member of the human race is my default position///

Most of those carry health risks to other humans.....and can, at the very least, produce a noxious response......feeling a bit squeamish at the sight of a nursing mother is hardly the same thing, at all!

[yogasun]

I breastfed both of my sons more or less on demand but always managed to do it discretely if it was necessary when out in public.
No way would I have fed whilst in a swimming pool.

[ferryman]

That's the way it should be yogasun.

[andy-hughes]

jack, I take your point, but it's not really about feeling squeamish.

My middle daughter is currently breastfeeding her new baby, and I am fine with her doing it at our house - she puts a shawl over herself and baby, so no problem.

However, when she does it at my in-laws, in front of her grandad who is 87, he is clearly embarassed, but would never say anything, so in that situation, i think her behaviour is inappropriate.

If you widen that concept out to a restaurant, where childless people, or the simply easily embarassed are enjoying a meal, I don't believe they should feel uncomftable simply so that a nursing mother can exercise her right to feed her baby in public.

A degree of sensitivity and maturity goes a long way in these instance.

And to return to AOG's original point - a swimming pool is not the venue to breastfeed a baby, any more than it is to potty-train a toddler - 'natural' though that is.

[ferryman]

I have to agree with you andy it's exactly how I look at things as do a lot of my generation.

[andy-hughes]

"A degree of sensitivity and maturity goes a long way in these instance.
Like letting a baby eat?"

I fail to see your point. The issue is not the feedling of the baby, it's the location - no-one is suggesting that a baby should not be fed, but if you venture out in public with a baby, it's best to ensure that you have a rough idea of feeding times, and a rough idea of where you are going to be so youo can feed in an environment that is comforable and safe for you and baby, and comfortable for the rest of the people around you.

If baby is too young to have developed an approximate feeding routine, then baby is too young to be in a public swimming pool.

[ferryman]

You say what I think andy only much better than I can write it. The younger generation need to learn how life is and it's not all about them.

[ummmm]

A breast fed baby is not as predictable as a bottle fed one. They also use breast milk as a drink (the first lot of milk is thirst quenching) and also for comfort.

[daffy654]

I think she should have got out of the pool. I breast fed my youngest but there is no way I would have done it in a swimming pool. The baby may have swallowed chlorine treated water :-/

[andy-hughes]

triggerhappy - "if the issue is not the feeding of the baby then the location is immaterial."

The entire premise of this debate, and the reason for AOG's original Question is that the location is anything but immaterial - hence the opinions being put forward.

[youngmafbog]

TRigger, are you simply arguing for arguing sake?

Andy, not often this happens but I agree with you entirely. There is a time and a place for everything, just needs some common sense and thought for others applied.

I have to say I would not want my wife or daughters feeding in the pool, far too many chemicals for my liking, just get out and do it on the side, simple, unless you are trying to prove a point of course.

[Sqad]

andy...congratulations.......you are on a roll today, accolades flowing in from all sectors of AB.

Well done.

[andy-hughes]

Indeed, it is a rare - but appreciated - meeting of minds youngmafbog.

I really do feel that the freedoms of the nursing mother are being exercised inappropriately here - for reasons i have argued at length.

I am unsure what point trigger is making with me - waiting for a further response.