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

[China Doll]

I don't care about the feelings of others in regards to whether they like watching it or not - if a baby needs feeding then it needs feeding. Both my sisters breast fed and they both manged to do it discretely. It's easy enough to not look if it bothers you.

I do however think feeding in a swimming pool is just stupid and common sense says you'd get out the pool at least. That's the only objection I have.

[emmie]

no woman i knowof, from my mothers, grandmothers generation would have dreamt of doing it in public, bottles of baby milk at the ready, off we go..

[anotheoldgit]

friedgreentomato

/// Isnt it strange that a baby latched on a breast makes some people uncomfortable, but naked breast in a newspaper or on a stage etc are ok? ///

Isn't it strange that it is ok to expose the breast when feeding a baby in public, but seeing a breast in a newspaper or on a stage makes some uncomfortable?

[anotheoldgit]

ferlew

Yes apart from the non hygienic point, nothing wrong about breast feeding an infant in public but it is about discretion.

Do we wish to see women walking down the high street, breast fully exposed feeding their infants?

You also brought the point up about today's fashion of the exposure of 'heavily pregnant' (that's also a recent description, it was once 'pregnant' full stop) belly.

Why the need to show the world, ABer ummmm earlier asked "How can you keep a massive belly private"?

It is simple, once pregnant women wore 'maternity smocks' eg a loose fitting garment, and they still managed to look very attractive.

[ummmm]

tbh I cannot remember a time when I've seen someone with the pregnant belly on show.

I don't think smocks are that easy to find now either. Times have moved on, fashion has moved on.

[FredPuli43]

Are there people who are uncomfortable with a breast (or nipple even) being exposed on stage or in a newspaper but not uncomfortable with the same thing in a public place?

[pixie373]

None of mine would take a bottle, emmie. They knew what they wanted. She should have stood up and shouted at all the men in the swimming pool to put on a t-shirt and cover their hairy chests up!

[pixie373]

Fred, me. I think a lot of these papers and magazines give the wrong impression of what breasts are for, and that is partly why there is such a fuss about breastfeeding. That is what they are there for! In other countries, women can live pretty much topless, without anyone really noticing (I'm thinking Africa, for example). But here we are taught to think differently.

[andy-hughes]

Trigger - "Andy, first and for the millionth time it is triggerhippy, hi.

2nd, why should people in a restaurant feel uncomftable at someone breast feeding?, why should their feelings take precedence over a baby needing food?"

Hi - sorry to be so long, was off-line last night and most of this morning.

Why should some people feel uncomfortable about someone breastfeeding? I can't answer that - because i don't. There are myriad other examples of behaviour i don't relate to - drinking alcohol to excess, fighting in the street, eating seafood, shouting at my children in public ... the list goes on.

It comes down to this - we all have to share the planet, and we all differ on ideas of what is acceptable.

To me, it is a mature approach to be aware of the sensitivities of others, and make allowances, rather than shout about your 'rights' and offend strangers. I may not agree with the sensitivities of others, but that does not negate them, or make them less worthy of my co-operation.

So, if I was a nursing mother, and I thought I may upset someone by the location of my breastfeeding, I would go somewhere else. Why would I want to stress myself and my baby (not ideal for either when feeding) simply to make a point about my right to feed, and endure stares and tutting from others. Is it really that important that i make a stand over this?

Do i really want to get into a row with people over this difference of opinion?

The answer has to be no for all the reasons I have advised.

We all have rights, but that means we all have responsibilities as well.

This is not about your emotive assessment that it as a desicion between offending people, and feeding a hungry baby - it's not at all. It's about being aware that everyone else sharing the pool has a right to enjoy the facilities without embrassment, and even though breastfeeding in public is seen as far more acceptable than it used to be, it is not carte blanche to do so wherever and whenever the mother chooses.

[themorrigan]

I breast fed all my four children and never felt the need to lob one out in full view. Standing up in a swimming pool is not a good or comfortable way to feed a baby. The new mother should be educated as to the best way to feed a baby, sat down, relaxed and comfortable so her milk comes down. I have no problem with breastfeeding in public and have done it on numerous occasions without having to make theatre out of it. A comfortable chair, a napkin over the breast offends no one.

[anotheoldgit]

ummmm

/// tbh I cannot remember a time when I've seen someone with the pregnant belly on show. ///

Do you mean to say you have never seen a pregnant belly exposed by a cropped top and overhanging a pair of jeans?

/// I don't think smocks are that easy to find now either. Times have moved on, fashion has moved on. ///

They still make similar.

http://www.womenseverything.com/images/mamas_&;_papas_chiffon_ruffle_to_38.jpg

[Octavius]

Pixie, the 45,000 women per year in the UK who get breast enlargements must also think differently?

[ummmm]

I don't recall ever seeing someone with their belly. On telly maybe, but not in the flesh.

They are the type of tops I see pregnant women wearing.

[anotheoldgit]

pixie373

/// I think a lot of these papers and magazines give the wrong impression of what breasts are for, ///

I don't know what papers and magazines you are referring to, but if you take the page 3 girl, they are just girls exposing their bodies, as are paintings or sculptures of the female body and they have been acceptable for hundreds of years, yet a photograph in a magazine or newspaper and that is classed as something shocking.

[pixie373]

Yes, octavius. We have grown up with that mindset. That's the problem. They are not having enlargements to make breastfeeding easier!

[pixie373]

Aog. A sculpture can be considered art, as it takes some skill.

[anotheoldgit]

pixie373

Never heard of the 'ART' of photography?

[hc4361]

This is being discussed on Radio 2, The Jeremy Vine Show, now