Forum Topic

What are your views on women breatfeeding openly

I read yesterday how a woman was at the job centre attending an interview and then her baby started crying so she unbuttoned her shirt and started breastfeeding her baby in front of everyone who was at this time all gawping at her with wide eyes. The interviewer felt uncomfortable and asked her to stop otherwise she would have to terminate the interview. The lady then starts complaining about her rights to feed her baby and then goes crying to the newspapers to sell her story.I don't know how you feel but I feel very embarrassed when I see someone doing that in front of the public. I was on the picadilly line a few months ago and an asian woman was openly feeding her baby on the train. I didn't know where to look and most people just looked away feeling disgusted.It is just so wrong to get your txxx out in full view. Sometimes I think it is not about feeding a crying baby but maybe these women have some hidden urge or desire to show the world their breasts. Something psychological? or Mental issues? Who knows.

Asha Smith ● 4792d27 Comments

I'm really surprised to read this and I hope it's just a wind up. You imply that breastfeeding is somehow dirty and sexual, which actually says more about you than about the mother. If a newborn baby is hungry, they have to be fed, they cannot wait. Newborns nurse constantly to establish milk supply, and I'm sure you don't expect mothers to stay at home 24/7 for 8 weeks and not go out to buy food, clothes etc? If a nursing mother has an interview for her benefits, to support her newborn, she cannot simply stop feeding her baby that day. The jobcentre wouldn't accept that as a reason for non-attendance either. How stupid would she be to not use the free source of food nature has provided for her baby if she needs financial help from them? Breasts are dual function. You shouldn't be looking at someone else's breasts anyway, just as you wouldn't in a communal changing room. I'm pretty sure other people looked away out of politeness, not disgust. Whilst feeding the baby's head covers most of the breast anyway, so this isn't 'getting them out in full view'. Society makes women feel guilty for doing something that is vital for the survival of their babies. If you heard someone had starved a child would you not think that was wrong? We need to see more nursing mothers in public to get people used to seeing it, many other cultures accept it as part of normal life, which it is. It is her right to feed her baby whether anyone else likes it or not. Remember the NHS advises all new mothers that all babies should be exclusively breastfed until 6 months of age. Anyone who thinks that someone breastfeeding in public does it for some weird perversion should question whether it's their own 'mental issues' that are the problem.

Helen white ● 4792d

I strongly support the views expressed by Helen White, on Mums being able to breastfeed their babies whenever they feel it is necessary.I do not think that the general public is offended if they come across a mother breastfeeding her child.I would give the mother privacy especially on a HOT day, by looking away and going about my own business.I have noticed some Mums covering the action with a shawl to preventgawping eyes that distract the Mums attention. Have we become that Petty-minded.?

Os A Whittle ● 4792d

Breastfeeding is brilliant.  It is the right food for the baby ready available at the right time.  It is the most natural thing to do.It definitely isn't disgusting.A hungry and crying baby is much more disturbing and distracting.Most mothers wear clothing that is easy to arrange so that they can feed their babies easily and many breastfeeding mothers probably aren't noticeable.How long would you have withstood that crying baby on the Piccadilly line before you and everyone else said "For goodness sake - feed that baby!".No breastfeeding mother should feel that she can't breastfeed in public.If you don't like it then don't look.

Philippa Bond ● 4792d

Here here Helen!

Kelly Cornfield ● 4792d

Asha, with respect, I agree wholeheartedly with Helen, Os, Philippa and Kelly and see or feel nothing wrong or embarrassing about a mother breastfeeding her baby as described. I have to suggest your attitude is what should be questioned if anything imo.

Gerry Tan ● 4792d

I don't want to enter the argument but there are ways of doing it discreetly.

Pat Kingham ● 4792d

Ways which I'm pretty sure most breastfeeding mothers use. There are many far more ugly parts of the body that people flap about without discretion and that have no reason to be on show either. What better reason is there to do anything than to feed and love a child?It's just social conditioning - 'breasts are purely sexual and therefore should be covered up', yet we are quick to judge other cultures where all parts of a woman's body must be covered and think this is oppressive. An earlobe is also an erogenous zone, but we don't get embarrassed by those being on show. Some people have a foot fetish and so must really find flip flops difficult...A baby doesn't choose to require food to stay alive, and therefore the mechanism by which a baby gets its food should be no more 'disgusting' than someone using a knife and fork in public, unless you are trying to cover up your own titillation.

Helen white ● 4792d

'You can't breastfeed in here... it's just disgusting': What new mother was told by worker at Jobcentre while being interviewedTara Powell took four-month-old son Preston to centre in SE LondonShe had an appointment there to discuss her income support moneyTalking to worker when son began to cry and she started to feed himBut worker allegedly told her: 'Can you stop doing what you are doing?'A mother of five has spoken about how she burst into tears after she says she was kicked out of a Jobcentre for breastfeeding her baby.Tara Powell had taken her four-month-old son Preston with her to the centre in Bromley, south-east London, where she had an appointment to discuss her income support money.The 29-year-old said she was giving her details to the staff member when her son began to cry and she started to feed him. But she claims the worker told her: ‘Can you stop doing what you are doingMiss Powell, of Orpington, said the interviewer then told her she felt ‘uncomfortable’. But the mother replied: ‘There’s nothing uncomfortable about me breastfeeding my son, it’s natural.’However the interviewer was said to have told her the breastfeeding was ‘disgusting’, adding: ‘If you do not stop it, I’m terminating this interview’.Miss Powell claimed she put her son’s blanket over him so the Jobcentre woman could not see him feeding - but she was again told it was ‘disgusting’.Miss Powell added: ‘She was raising her voice then she kicked me out and ended the interview. I was crying because she did that to me. She kicked me out for breastfeeding my son.‘I have never ever felt so embarrassed. She would not have moaned if someone had bottle fed their baby. After I got out of the room I burst out crying.’Miss Powell said a manager apologised following the incident last Friday, and told her the appointment would have to be rebooked with a different adviser this week.Miss Powell added: ‘I have five kids and I breastfed four of them and I have never been told do not do it. By law I can feed my baby where I like and there is no place where you cannot feed your baby.’A Department for Work & Pensions spokesman said Miss Powell was offered a private place to feed her baby after the meeting was ended, adding that the incident was being investigated.'I have never ever felt so embarrassed. After I got out of the room I burst out crying'Tara Powell She said: ‘We have apologised to Ms Powell for any inconvenience and confusion caused during her visit to the Jobcentre. 'Mothers are welcome to feed their babies when visiting us. This can take place wherever the mother feels comfortable - either in a public area or a private room if one is available.’A spokesman for We Do It in Public, a campaign group supporting breastfeeding in public, said: ‘Perceptions of breastfeeding in public still continues to be a sticking point for both new and experienced mums who choose to breastfeed.‘It’s such a shame that as a society we are still seeing cases where people are asked to leave public places, just because they are feeding their baby.’Extract from Daily Mail. I think opinion will always be divided. I can't imagine this happening in a Muslim country. The woman would get beheaded I think.

Asha Smith ● 4792d

I agree absolutely with Helen and cannot think what terrible experiences have led you to feel that breastfeeding should be a hidden activity.  I wonder if it is an extension of your feeling about bodies in general.  I say this recalling some of the views you have expressed previously about fat people.  I feel strongly this is an issue for you to look at in yourself rather than externalising it by considering it disgusting.

Marion Dunn ● 4792d

Asha, in response to your comment: "I can't imagine this happening in a Muslim country. The woman would get beheaded I think."You're totally wrong. I grew up in Saudi Arabia where all women are covered from head to toe. We would always see women squatting on the edge of the pavements feeding their babies quite openly. Even in a country with such appalling women's rights, no-one would complain about a baby being breastfed in public. Saudi men may think that women shouldn't be allowed to drive, but even they aren't ignorant enough to suggest women shouldn't breastfeed in public!The onus here is on you to educate yourself about breastfeeding, rather than expecting women not to feed their babies in front of you because you find it "disgusting".

Rebekah Mason ● 4792d

A wonderful natural thing that benefits both mother and baby.Anyone who finds it 'disgusting' shows ignorance beyond belief and, with what little respect I can garner, needs a 'sensibility check'.

Nigel Brooks ● 4792d

As someone said there are ways of doing it and some women seem to flaunt it, in my opinion,un-necessarily.It has to be done but a blanket/something covering the offending article would please everyone,I am sure.

Simon Wycombe ● 4792d

Except those who don't consider breasts to be "offending articles". As in normal balanced non-puritanical human beings.

Andrew Mcauley ● 4792d

I think it should be compulsory...

Keith Iddon ● 4792d

When we lived in Nigeria, expatriate mothers were encouraged to breastfeed and to be seen doing so. This was to discourage the locals from thinking that formula feed in  bottles was sophisticated when in reality it was expensive and all too easily not hygienic.

Graham Weeks ● 4792d

Here here Keith!This story probably says more about the typical staff you get in Job Centre Plus - wholly useless incompetent, lazy jobsworths.  I had the unfortunate reason to visit the Southall job centre last year for a few months.  The most painful experience of my life - the staff almost seem proud of their slovenly jobs worth attitude.  Once when I'd turned up on time for my appointment my officer was 30 minutes late, offered no apology but said she'd forgotten about a team meeting when making my appointment and it was all her manager's fault anyway - then proceeded to slag off her manager with her colleague all whilst I sat in front of her!

Steve Charls ● 4792d

Am I right in thinking Asha never had a baby

Jack Ryan ● 4792d

Discretely breastfeeding your baby in public was perfectly normal and completely acceptable, at least in Australia, in the 40s, 50s, 60s & 70s.................... until Political Correctness came along.

Rosco White ● 4792d

whether she has or not, she is entitled to an opinion.

Simon Wycombe ● 4790d

And it's the Politically Correct Brigade who want to force their views on everyone else and can't stand you having an alternative opinion. Off topic I know.SO, I am FOR breastfeeding in public if it's required.

Rosco White ● 4790d

Staying off topic just for a mo',I wondered what "Politically Correct" actually meant and was there a Politically Incorrect Brigade?There's a quite interesting  piece on Wiki,from which I garnered this from Polly Toynbee in 2001:- “The phrase is an empty, right-wing smear, designed only to elevate its user”, and, in 2010 "...the phrase “political correctness” was born as a coded cover for all who still want to say Paki, spastic, or queer...  Nobody seems to want to own up to being Politically Incorrect for some reason. I find a bit odd unless that is, the basic physics law "for every action there's an equal and opposite reaction" doesn't work in human relations?  However I too am in favour of breastfeeding in public if the need arises and it always will!

Tony Wood ● 4789d

I am not politically correct but wouldn't dream of using the words you use in your post. I think you may be barking up the wrong three with that rather narrow interpretation.

Keith Iddon ● 4789d

But are you Politically Incorrect,someone must be surely?Yes I am barking and usually up the wrong "three". ;0)  I read the whole article and chose the most provocative sentence....something I learnt on the Forum.

Tony Wood ● 4789d

Interesting interpretations of the much used expressions Tony. I find that sometimes I'm very politally INcorrect. Yet on other occasions I find myself being being ever so politically correct. Guess I'm a crazy mixed-up individual!  But I still enjoy life.

Gerry Tan ● 4789d

'Three' indeed...oops! That's what you get when watching the cricket with one eye and reading your own posts with the othe.PC to me means not talking straight and skirting issues so as not to 'hurt' someone,when sometimes they need a wake up call and need bluntness, not euphemisms.

Keith Iddon ● 4789d

Yes Keith  I probably agree, that should be the interpretation of the "low level" usage. But at it's higher levels it's used as a dismissive cuss,as in Roscos' last two posts,the venom is patently clear.  It seems to me that it's used in a rather cowardly way by those on the right, why cowardly?  Well...the Tories can't really say "Everyone who votes Labour is an idiot" can they? They hope that some of them will vote for them next time around. By using the euphemism (PC) it leaves the door open to interpretation by the individual... whether they take offence or not,it's usage also provides wriggle room for the user,the "No we didn't mean that" syndrome, a useful vagary.

Tony Wood ● 4789d

No Gerry you've achieved a balanced Yinyang,that's why you enjoy life, cuh I wish I did! :0) Isn't it all about starting things with no previous baggage,as in " I'm not going to judge that twerp until I've met him".

Tony Wood ● 4789d