Claridge's asks breastfeeding mother to cover up Post Reply

[pie81]

"I respect all views and cultures and in public wouldn't want to make anyone feel uncomfortable, especially the older generation."

But LP - surely there must be limits on this. There are people whose views are that women's hair should be covered, surely you wouldn't cover yours up just because they think this. And as I say there are people who are homophobic/feel uncomfortable seeing gay affection, you wouldn't expect gay people to behave differently so as not to make those people uncomfortable. Would you?

[Annabel (admin)]

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[cheshirecat]

That's awful. I would be humiliated if waiters did that to me. I was always nervous about breastfeeding in public.
I think it says a lot about Claridges, they need to put their feet back on solid ground. Life's not a scene from a period drama. Victorian women of high society paid others to breastfeed and Victorian streets were most probably full of women breastfeeding while begging.

[cheshirecat]

Claridge's are trying to cleverly get round the law. They cannot refuse to serve her or ask her to stop, which they didn't. So they are smugly pointing out that they didn't break the law. But Mungomuffit, you're right they did discriminate, so maybe they did. Let's see if she pushes this further.

I think she's smiling in the picture because she's aware that she's proving a point. She wasn't exposing herself and was very decent. Looks like that to me anyway.

[juliantenniscoach]

Here's another viewpoint - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-30342953

[cheshirecat]

I would be shocked if Nigel Farage had any viewpoint other than this? Hardly surprising that Britains top biggot doesn't support breastfeeding. I think he's on the sane level as women who strip down to the waste to prove a point. Public shock value.

[cheshirecat]

I should say doesn't support the right to breastfeed in public.

[BFW]

I hope we can keep this interesting debate civil and not the usual NVN slagging off match....

Eh eh trust Nigel Farage to really put his foot in it!!!

Mungo I disagree with you. In what way exactly do you think the woman in question was discriminated against? She was not asked to leave and they didn't refuse to serve her ? She was merely asked to be a little more discreet. You were obviously a proficient Brest feeder..,. I Brest fed my two but with both there was quite a lot of nipple fiddling and boob moving around to get them to latch on and personally I would have hated doing this in such a public place. If you father feels relaxed about it that's great and he is obviously much more modern than my own father! But we live in a wonderful multicultural city and I can think of a lot if people that would feel a little uncomfortable having boobs around them while having tea!

I am in no way against feeding in public by the way I personally think it's just a question being a little more sensitive to others around you.

[cheshirecat]

I think everyone fumbles and no one ever feels completely comfortable, even if they regularly breastfeed in public. All breastfeeding mothers know this anxiety. Some choose to avoid public feeding but some may actually not have that choice. Having a new baby can be lonely and any invitation from friends and family to get out and have adult conversation can be a lifeline to a lot of women. A new mother, no matter how many babies she's fed will still fumble and know prejudice, no matter how illegal, still exists. To be confronted at this vulnerable time is horrendous and Claridge's are completely in the wrong. I am not attacking anyone's views but we are all united in knowing that breastfeeding is difficult and attitudes like those of Claridge's are not acceptable.

[Camille]

Totally with you BFW

[Camille]

Totally with you BFW and meant to add your quote to earlier post...

"I personally think it's just a question being a little more sensitive to others around you"...

Very tactfully and diplomatically put.

[juliantenniscoach]

This story isn't going away just yet - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-30359606

[cheshirecat]

people in other counties read this and wonder what the fuss is all about, as its a complete non-issue in most countries. Women feed their babies and that's it. It makes it seem like British people have issues with sex and nature. Which is probably the true bottom line, especially for messed up upper classes. "breastfeeding in Claridge's, oh my, how could she be so crass"

[cheshirecat]

I'd say you put it perfectly. It's illegal to discriminate, that's all there is to it.

[schoolgatesmum]

How it used to be - photos of breast feeding mums through the ages http://www.buzzfeed.com/southerndisposi ... 6?s=mobile