Local woman told to stop breastfeeding

Writing this blog has made me question whether there really is an issue with breastfeeding in public.  I have rarely had any negative reactions and, if anything, responses are positive.  Is the concern about public breastfeeding largely paranoia?

Well, while I maintain that negative reactions are rare, an incident that occurred near to where I live highlighted that they are not unheard of.

http://www.kentonline.co.uk/times_guardian/news/2013/march/13/breastfeeding_mum_told_to_quit.aspx

I am quite shocked by how over the top this person's reaction is.  Not just a glance, a tut or a mutter (very British responses :D), but to be so forward?  It suggests that the person found the breastfeeding truly disgusting and rude. 

I am glad that the woman involved was a commited and secure breastfeeder.  Had this happened to somebody new to the 'art' then this incident could have caused untold issues.  Good for the staff and shoppers at Tescos to be so supportive too.

It seems then that the issue at the heart of this blog still needs to be tackled.  Girls, please breastfeed anywhere and everywhere that you want to.  Nobody has the right (legally or morally) to attack you.  When you breastfeed in public you not only nourish your baby, but you also add to the normalisation of breastfeeding and the eradication of this ill-informed outdated behaviour towards breastfeeding women. If you come across people like this maybe you should invite them to a 'Big Latch On' to up their exposure and shock them out of their disgust.  Breastfeeding is beautiful and normal and has to happen in public.

Messing about on the river

I went out to Canterbury today with the kiddies.  Spring is just rearing her head.  It feels like that grey winter misery is blowing away. 

We went to Dane John gardens and played in the little maze/fort there.  We then climbed to the top of the mound to look out at the city srawling around us.  After a walk around town baby was starting to fidget in her baby carrier so I knew a feed was imminent.  So, I took the boy to a bakery to choose a cake to keep him quiet.  He insisted upon a chocolate brownie (to share of course) and then patiently sat in the pushchair till we reached our destination.  We walked through the historic Westgate towers to reach the Westgate gardens, which follow the Stour river.

We chose a little picnic spot where we could watch the ducks.  I spread my scarf on the grass to sit, while the boy decided to remain his pushchair to scoff his cake.  I realised that in my newfound relaxed mindset towards breastfeeding, I had not brought anything to cover up with (other than my scarf, which was now shielding me from the damp grass.  However, I just shrugged this fact off, latched her on and enjoyed the beautiful setting.

Soon after, a hoard of students came to disturb the peace.  I thought they were playing a raucous game of pooh sticks.  However, it transpired that they had lost their frisbee in the water and were chasing it along the river trying to reclaim it. I smothered a laugh watching them try and throw sticks at it. I didn't bother to cover up as they lolloped past.  Some ducks swam past and splashed about as they dived for little food.  Not long after, a man sat at a bench on the other side of the river.  Again I didn't bother with modesty - all he could see was the back of baby's head.  I sat chatting away with the boy and then I looked up to see that the man had moved two benches along.  Was this because of my breastfeeding?  If he didn't feel comfortable then fair enough I suppose, what he did wasn't unkind and didn't hurt my feelings.  Although, I suppose a newer mum may have felt a dip in her confidence.

Maybe the scenery at that particular spot not beautiful enough for him.  Some may argue that we improved the scenery.  Oh...no, not because of the breastfeeding thing, just because we're really really gorgeous :D

The only bad public breastfeeding reaction I have had....

To date I have only had one negative reaction to breastfeeding in public.  Overwhelmingly people are positive, save for the odd askance glance.

I was out for lunch with my mum, brother and nan.  We went to a local family restaurant.  We were the first shown to the dining area and chose a large table in the corner.  I sat with my back to the wall, facing the room.  A few minutes later a couple in their fifties sat at a table opposite me. 

When baby (my son, this was a few years ago) started to fret I pulled my feeding apron over my head, squirreled baby underneath and started to feed.  I was being quite brave.  He was only a few months old and I was still a bit nervous and awkward about breastfeeding around people.  I kept noticing the man of the couple looking at me, but I ignored him and carried on with the family dinner. It was very pleasant, four generations having the chance to bond over lunch.

When we left my nan suddenly chose to pipe up.  She had been nearest to their table.  She said that the man had been disgusted and had made quite a few comments about me.  I was infuriated on two counts.  Firstly, they had arrived after us.  If you have a problem with breastfeeding then you do not sit at a table near a small baby, or even go to a family restaurant in the middle of the day. Secondly, I had been entirely covered up.  I could not have been more discreet.  Was just the knowledge that I was feeding my baby near him so very abhorrant?  I sort of vaguely understand people taking issue with seeing a naked breast, but what could be wrong with me feeding my baby if it couldn't be seen?  Had I got an artificial teat out, essentially a rubber nipple, and fed my baby right next to him he would likely not have objected.  But using my own breast for what it was intended under cover was disgusting?  Would he prefer to have the baby scream throughout the meal because he was hungry?

Well, my mother and I were livid.  We both declared that we wished we had known while we had still been at the restaurant so we could have reacted (although maybe that would have been counterproductive).   Given the time again I might have uncovered, squirted some milk in his eye and said "There. Now you have something to complain about." :D

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