I HAVE done it in a restaurant. I have done it on the beach. I have done it on an aeroplane. In fact, I have got my boobs out in most public places.
Not for attention or for money; but, simply, because sometimes I need to use a breast for its actual purpose. To shut up … I mean feed, a baby.
So, I am banging on about boobs this time. I have been writing over at www.babysleep.org.uk about why we should all make a tit of ourselves in public! Please click this link MAKE A TIT OF YOURSELF and join my campaign to eliminate the Anti-Breastfeeding in Public Mob?!!
What are your experiences of breastfeeding in public? Positive or not ? Feel free to share your stories (good and bad) in the comment box below or join us on Facebook or @stolen sleep.
Did you know that thanks to the Equalities Act of 2010 it is now ILLEGAL to ask a breastfeeding mother to leave a public space? If anyone, be it employee or patron asks you to leave or gives you trouble then the business whose premises you are in is liable?
There you go, if anyone has a go at you tell them they’re breaking the law.
I’ve been lucky, I’ve reached the 6 month mark with number 2 and am happily feeling smug at still breastfeeding him. I only managed 6 weeks with no1 and felt much shame at giving up but it was for the best in the end. I’ve made a tit of myself in public quite a bit as no2 was and still is very much of a little and often feeder. No-one has commented thankfully, though I have always used a scarf when out. I didn’t like using it, the little man was forever getting tangled up in it and one one occasion this resulted in my flashing more boob than I probably would have done had I not been using it!
On one occasion a grumpy looking man stared at me crossly for the entire feed. By this point I was a confident feeder and just ignored him but I’m not sure what I would have done if it had been in the early days.
All the negativity does puzzle me. What are we mums supposed to do, leave the baby crying? Why should we have to sit in a public toilet to feed? If people in this country could only get over themselves a bit then breastfeeding rates would go up and that’s best for everyone.
Very true! I have had my tits out with both babies ….it is not like you can see much once the baby is latched on. There is more nipple exposure on the supermarket shelves that stock men’s magazines and newspapers!
I have never understood why anyone would be bothered by a mother breastfeeding…but if they are that concerned just don;t bloody look!
I’ve just started reading your blog and I’m hooked – everything you write about could be about my life, it’s uncanny!! I can’t stop laughing at your posts! Absolutely brilliant, thank you!
Thanks so much! It is always good to know it is NOT just me!!!
Sometimes I wonder if I’ve just happened upon perfect oases of tolerance everywhere I’ve been (and then I realise it’s probably just my tendency to not notice other people as well as some might). I really haven’t had a problem. For all the stuff in the newspapers it’s never been a big deal, anywhere, even up to two years old.
Also, really, on a plane… vs having the baby scream due to ear pressure? Were they even thinking?
yes I have been lucky enough to have never experienced any negativity while breastfeeding either. in fact it didn’t even cross my mind that anyone would have a problem with it until the recent spate of anti breastfeeding mob stories! I was even more shocked by some of the comments posted (largely by women) about the stories!
Yeah, sometimes I wish the media would stop reporting on these incidents. The issue in the real world doesn’t seem to be there, yet making a big deal really brings people out of the woodwork who otherwise wouldn’t be bothering anyone. Then again, I guess this is the process of coming to a consensus across society?
Certainly if you’re going to report you have to be careful. I’d love to see a “we interviewed a hundred women about public breastfeeding and they all seemed amused it was even an issue” report, but I guess that doesn’t get eyes on pages?
Or they could at least write a few positive stories as well. I totally agree- I think by printing all these articles they have set off the other weirdos who probably wouldn’t have mentioned it beforehand! Maybe we should start putting positive stories out there!!
Go for it! I’ll join that blog-hop (bags Singapore and Australia if we’re going by geography).
This blog made me laugh out loud! I too am a believer in getting ones jugs out! Great read thank you. I look forars to reading more of your witty blogs soon.
Well if I was lucky enough to have jugs like yours I would definitely get them out whenever possible! Thanks mate! x
I was once asked to leave a table at a restaurant and go into a private booth behind a curtain to feed. I had one of those discreet ‘stick the babe under your top’ tops on too. Haven’t eaten there since! Grrrrrrrrr….
That is terrible! I cannot believe how many places do this. Ridiculous.