Breastfeeding in restaurants

Stretch · 7 Dec 2014 at 21:51

leaskovski said:
Just like those bnb owners turning away gays.

To my knowledge, no one has been turned away from Claridges. So no, not like that at all.

Janesy B · 7 Dec 2014 at 21:53

Stretch said:
To my knowledge, no one as been turned away from Claridges. So no, not like that at all.

No but people have been turned away from premises for being homosexual which is illegal so business' don't have the right to behave as they wish.

Equality Act 2010:

A business cannot discriminate against mothers who are breastfeeding a child of any age. The Equality Act 2010 has specifically clarified that it is unlawful for a business to discriminate against a woman because she is breastfeeding a child.

A business may ask a breastfeeding woman to leave their premises if the reason for this request is not due to her breastfeeding. However, if the woman later claims that discrimination occurred because she was breastfeeding, the business will have to prove that there was in fact no discrimination.

Stretch · 7 Dec 2014 at 22:02

Janesy B said:
No but people have been turned away from premises for being homosexual which is illegal so business' don't have the right to behave as they wish.

If the owners had prohibited sex (or even specifically anal sex) on the premises it would not be illegal, but banning gays or gay sex is because it's discriminatory.

Claridges did not ban breastfeeding, or women. They asked the lady to cover up whilst performing a voluntary act.

Janesy B said:
Equality Act 2010:

I'm aware of the law. The debate is whether the law is correct and/or if Claridges overstepped the law.

If the shop policy was no baring of bare chests it would/should not be illegal IMO.

Janesy B · 7 Dec 2014 at 22:09

I wish everyone would stop referring to or comparing this to sex or taking a dump in public. They asked her to cover herself with a napkin while she feeds, I'm sure the mother was trying to be discrete as possible without the need for some moron to ask her to flop a napkin over the baby's head.

Whether or not it's voluntary is up for debate, would Claridges prefer a mother quietly breastfeeding or a baby screaming it's lungs out for food. I wouldn't consider feeding a baby a voluntary action.

Stretch · 7 Dec 2014 at 22:10

Janesy B said:
I wish everyone would stop referring to or comparing this to sex or taking a dump in public. They asked her to cover herself with a napkin while she feeds, I'm sure the mother was trying to be discrete as possible without the need for some moron to ask her to flop a napkin over the baby's head.

Whether or not it's voluntary is up for debate, would Claridges prefer a mother quietly breastfeeding or a baby screaming it's lungs out for food. I wouldn't consider feeding a baby a voluntary action.

That should be up to Claridges.

I have children by the way. I understand the predicament this lady was in.

the_director · 7 Dec 2014 at 22:12

I have taken my daughter to several restaurants and sometimes she has cried and I've been very self-conscious about this fact. However, I think it is nice that families do try to eat out at a normal restaurant in the evening - and a lot of restaurants encourage and welcome families.

I think we need to distinguish a crying baby (they genuinely cannot help it) and say a screaming child - who probably does know what is acceptable behaviour.

Janesy B · 7 Dec 2014 at 22:12

Stretch said:
That should be up to Claridges.

Well it isn't and it shouldn't be, they're giving her the choice of feeding with the napkin or being asked to leave which is something they cannot do.

King85 · 7 Dec 2014 at 22:14

Who cares where a mother feeds her child? People are offended by the most inane things

the_director · 7 Dec 2014 at 22:14

My wife also breast fed a lot in public, and she wanted to be as discrete as possible. That meant a muslin cloth to cover as much as possible, it did not mean sloping off to the toilets.

Breast-feeding is incredibly good for the baby, any mother sticking at it - and in public, which cannot be easy - should earn our respect, not be the focal point for brainless disgust.

Stretch · 7 Dec 2014 at 22:16

Janesy B said:
Well it isn't and it shouldn't be, they're giving her the choice of feeding with the napkin or being asked to leave which is something they cannot do.

Why not?

If I walked in to Claridges without a top on, I'd be asked to cover up or leave.

King85 said:
Who cares where a mother feeds her child? People are offended by the most inane things

Some people care. Is coving up such sacrifice, if it keeps everyone happy?

Janesy B · 7 Dec 2014 at 22:19

Stretch said:
Why not?

Because it's treating someone differently because of something they are doing which is perfectly legal, which is discrimination?

Stretch said:
If I walked in to Claridges without a top on, I'd be asked to cover up or leave.

There's no law to allow you to walk around undressed, stop making up these stupid and obtuse statements.

bloodiedathame · 7 Dec 2014 at 22:26

People need to get a ****ing grip. Breast feeding is one of the most natural things in the world. People offended need to stop being ****ing prudes. If you're embarrassed by looking, then don't, if you can't take your eyes off then go home, get on Redtube, beat yourself stupid and don't emerge until you realise how utterly pathetic you are.

Stretch · 7 Dec 2014 at 22:28

Janesy B said:
Because it's treating someone differently because of something they are doing which is perfectly legal, which is discrimination?

There's no law to allow you to walk around undressed, stop making up these stupid and obtuse statements.

It's not treating someone differently. Quite the opposite.

The law states women are entitled to breastfeed in public. There is nothing to say they are entitled to expose themselves in the process.

I have absolutely nothing against breastfeed, I would have not objected to the women if I'd been there.

However, if the shop asks you to cover up, you cover up and don't go wining about it on twitter.

Janesy B · 7 Dec 2014 at 22:30

Stretch said:
It's not treating someone differently. Quite the opposite.

The law states women are entitled to breastfeed in public. There is nothing to say they are entitled to expose themselves in the process.

I have absolutely nothing against breastfeed, I would have not objected to the women if I'd been there.

However, if the shop asks you to cover up, you cover up and don't go wining about it on twitter.

Bit of a difference between asking someone to be discreet and asking them to use some stupid table cloth though? Just draws more attention and makes the mother fell uneasy which isn't fair.

Angilion · 7 Dec 2014 at 22:44

Janesy B said:
Because it's treating someone differently because of something they are doing which is perfectly legal, which is discrimination?

Many places treat people differently because of something they are doing which is legal. For example, it's legal to sing badly but a business premises might well ask you to leave if you did so.

Many legal things are allowed in some situations and not others. Many legal things are illegal in many situations. Nudity, for example.

Your argument is nonsense.

There's no law to allow you to walk around undressed, stop making up these stupid and obtuse statements.

There's no law to allow you to do anything you want anywhere you want any time you want as long as it's legal in some situations, stop making up these stupid and obtuse statements.

I'm in favour of breastfeeding babies on demand, even if it's someone stark naked in the middle of the high street singing loudly. I'm not in favour of bad arguments for it. I'm also not in favour of imposing my position on everyone else, so I would allow a business to set its own codes regarding dress and activity.

mejinks · 7 Dec 2014 at 23:07

Whats wrong with breast pumps and bottles, making up a few before heading out?

bloodiedathame · 7 Dec 2014 at 23:09

mejinks said:
Whats wrong with breast pumps and bottles, making up a few before heading out?

Faff. Gotta sterilise the bottles and pump, then clean it all after. Carry milk around trying to keep it body temp. When instead, whip out the nip, in the gob, glug glug glug, happy baby.

jas72 · 7 Dec 2014 at 23:14

Rich1988 said:
After reading this article posted on a friends facebook (posted by a mother) and all the rage filled comments it got me thinking.

http://www.theguardian.com/politics...eeding-mothers?CMP=share_btn_fb&commentpage=1

Although I think Nigel Farage is an insufferable buffoon I can't help but think woman shouldn't openly breastfeed in a restuarant if the owner doesn't want a woman to expose herself potentially making a proportion of the other customers uncomfortable etc. surely they should be well within their rights to do so? I know breastfeeding is perfectly natural and have no issue with it in any other setting but I can't help but feeling if I went out for a restuarant with my family. and someone started breastfeeding on the table opposite it would make me uncomfortable. (It would'nt offend me and I would never complain as in the article, just more of a musing)

I'm guessing the large male proportion on here probably means we wont get a balanced view but what are peoples views?

Who cares? I've seen loads of women breastfeeding here in Belgium and even been to parties with my son when he was little and been surrounded by it and also out and about.

it's totally natural for baby to feed and mother's not to be made to feel uncomfortable about it.

It's ok for baps to be in page 3 of the sun but not to do natures purpose.

Get a grip.

jas72 · 7 Dec 2014 at 23:15

the_director said:
My wife also breast fed a lot in public, and she wanted to be as discrete as possible. That meant a muslin cloth to cover as much as possible, it did not mean sloping off to the toilets.

Breast-feeding is incredibly good for the baby, any mother sticking at it - and in public, which cannot be easy - should earn our respect, not be the focal point for brainless disgust.

totally agree.

Toilets are no place for mother and baby.... :mad:

[FnG]magnolia · 7 Dec 2014 at 23:50

I wonder if people will ever run out of things to be offended by? Because that day can't come soon enough.