Bristol Mother Suckers

Nicki

If the cafe owner doesn't want people feeding in her cafe, then she should have the courage of her convictions and be prepared to lose any custom that entails as a result. To abuse the mother for telling other mothers that she had been effectively kicked out for feeding her baby is hypocritical in the extreme.

Personally, I don't see the problem with feeding in public. I often did it with all three of mine, and was only ever asked to stop once - in a practically empty carriage on the Eurostar by a french guard. Thought he was a complete !!!!!! too, just like the cafe owner, and the rather repressed anon123456 in this case

SqueekyMouse

My 11 month old would love having a shawl draped over her, she'd have a lovely game of peek-a-boo. Wouldn't result in the most discreet breastfeed ever though!

Come off it people. Breastfeeding is normal, its the reason woman have breasts. We really should be able to see it happening without feeling uncomfortable. Draping a shall or blanket over herself and her baby is the woman's choice of course, she certainly shouldn't be *expected* to, but it still suggests that the act of feeding in public is immodest or embarrassing or taboo when it is actually PERFECTLY NORMAL!!!

browneyedbazzi

Padstow wrote: »

If feeding in public is obvious, then it's being done incorrectly. So easy to drape a shawl over one shoulder and no one should ever know the baby is feeding. That way everyone's happy.

Rubbish. There's no need to drape a shawl or otherwise hide what a breastfeeding woman is doing. On what basis do you think breastfeeding is 'incorrect' if you can tell what's going on? Surely breastfeeding that nourishes the baby is 'correct'.

I think it's people's squeemishness and overly delicate sensibilities about a natural process that is 'incorrect'.

SqueekyMouse

Nicki wrote: »

If the cafe owner doesn't want people feeding in her cafe, then she should have the courage of her convictions and be prepared to lose any custom that entails as a result.

It would however be against the law to prevent woman from feeding in her cafe.

I wonder what the legal situation is in France and whether UK or French law would have applied to you on the Eurostar?

quintwins

I don't think the poster who said about the shawl was suggestion women should cover up, more pointing out that you can discretly feed to the point where no-one around you knows what you are doing, personally i didn't want to flash at the whole world so i always had a muslin to hand, yet never covered him just be leaing enough for him to feed (also great for leaks).

I'm no where near bristol so won't be goings, bet that shop owner regets what was said now tho.

Nicki

SqueekyMouse wrote: »

It would however be against the law to prevent woman from feeding in her cafe.

I wonder what the legal situation is in France and whether UK or French law would have applied to you on the Eurostar?

Sorry, the post might have seemed ambiguous, I hoped the second para had made it more clear!

In no way justifying or supporting the vile cafe owner's actions, simply pointing out that if she chooses to vilify breastfeeding mums, then she needs to take all the consequences of that. She can't on the one hand ban someone because she is feeding, then two seconds later be up in arms because the banned woman tells another mum what will happen if she also tries to feed in the cafe.

SqueekyMouse

Nicki wrote: »

Sorry, the post might have seemed ambiguous, I hoped the second para had made it more clear!

In no way justifying or supporting the vile cafe owner's actions, simply pointing out that if she chooses to vilify breastfeeding mums, then she needs to take all the consequences of that. She can't on the one hand ban someone because she is feeding, then two seconds later be up in arms because the banned woman tells another mum what will happen if she also tries to feed in the cafe.

Ah yes, quite right!:)

Norma_Desmond

Of course all 'bodily functions' are natural, but it's normal to be squeamish too, especially if you're in a cafe eating your lunch.

I wouldn't dream of picking my nose, belching or farting in a restaurant and I don't expect mothers to breastfeed in one.

lazer

Norma_Desmond wrote: »

Of course all 'bodily functions' are natural, but it's normal to be squeamish too, especially if you're in a cafe eating your lunch.

I wouldn't dream of picking my nose, belching or farting in a restaurant and I don't expect mothers to breastfeed in one.

I completely agree - it is also completely natural to pee - but illegal to do it in public (as well as other "natural activities")

The cafe did not tell the woman to leave, they asked her to move the corner, probably as it was making her other customers uncomfortable.

While I support breastfeeding, I find that peole breastfeeding their babies anywhere and everywhere is a bit over the top. People go to restaurants and cafes for food, and it can be very off putting seeing someone bf at the next table. I see no reason, why the woman couldn't have simply moved into the corner.

molerat

SqueekyMouse wrote: »

It would however be against the law to prevent woman from feeding in her cafe.

I wonder what the legal situation is in France and whether UK or French law would have applied to you on the Eurostar?

It is civil law in England so the owner would have to be sued in the County Court. In Scotland it is a criminal offence.

anon123456 and Norma Desmond and lazer, a little light reading for you http://www.maternityaction.org.uk/si...ublicplace.pdf

Service providers must not discriminate, harass or victimise a woman because she is breastfeeding. Discrimination includes refusing to provide a service, providing a lower standard of service or providing a service on different terms. Therefore, a cafe owner cannot ask you to stop breastfeeding or refuse to serve you.