Bristol Mother Suckers

Cat501

I bottlefed all mine because I just wouldn't have felt at all comfortable breastfeeding in front of my family, let alone in public:o And yes, it's selfish, but when I tried in hospital with DD1 I found it really really hard and exhausting. Two of mine quickly went onto "hungrier baby" formula so I think I might have been feeding 24/7 and I just couldn't have coped with that either.

But I have absolutely NO problem seeing other women do it and wholeheartedly support the right of any mother to breastfeed wherever and whenever she likes.

GobbledyGook

If I'd stuck by the "no feeding after they've got teeth" mantra then my boy would never have been BF'ed given that he was born with a tooth poking through.

Breastfeeding is protected by law. No matter what you think of it you can't start allowing cafe owners and business to pick and choose which laws they do and don't follow. End of imo (when it comes to BF'ing in cafes and the likes).

Most people I know who BF'ed did their best to do it discreetly and/or plan to be at home. It's not particularly comfortable feeding for 30 mins or so on a hard plastic chair! However, sometimes despite our best laid plans babies decided to change the schedule and they do need to be fed when you are out. I can just imagine the grumps if I let the baby scream long enough to get home!

The only time I've ever remotely showed any flesh while BF'ing in public was with my first child, who decided she wanted fed 30 minutes earlier than anticipated. One woman in a cafe came over for a look at the baby (she was tiny) and then walked away disgusted when she realised I was feeding. She and her husband stared, glowered and obviously discussed me so much I got really flustered and embarrassed that I ended up showing more than I meant too. If they'd just ignored me I'd have been fine and there would have been less to see!

There are far more disgusting habits seen in public cafes that would merit being moved/kicked out for imo.

I don't, and would never, have a go at anyone who chose to bottle feed. I think we're very lucky to live in a place and age where there is a choice. However we are in danger now of alienating everyone when it comes to feeding. People who BF feel they cannot mention it without getting accused of having a go at bottle feeders and bottle feeding Mums who feel that they must defend themselves. I really wish we could just get to a point where we accepted without question that we were all just doing the best we can in whatever circumstances we happen to find ourselves in that day.

GracieP

kno wrote: »

Children develop full noses and teeth as well as losing their sucking reflex, surely biology should tell you that we are not meant to be suckling into Childhood. Also in less developed areas food may be scarce hence the need to breastfeed for pure survival.

Once your child can hold a bottle and feed themselves why halt their development, it's only for the attatched Mothers benefit.

Ahh, so no actual evidence then as you originally claimed, just a nonsense opinion based on a half-baked theory, which pretty much all of the actual evidence finds the opposite of. Carry on.