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.