Claridge's asks breastfeeding mother to cover up Post Reply

[tooposhtopush]

Welcome to the 19th century...

http://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/m ... 97118.html

[Balhammom]

Unbelievable

[juliantenniscoach]

A spokeswoman for Claridge’s said: “Of course we allow breastfeeding, we just ask our guests to be discreet, that’s all.”

By covering them with a sheet? That's ok then, silly me.

[Balhammom]

How very kind of you Claridges.

Making a large tent in the middle of a tea room won't draw much attention

I am so shocked!

[dinosaur]

Am I missing something? - she wasn't asked to stop feeding her baby. She was simply asked to use a napkin as she hadn't brought her own nursing cover. I've breastfed 3 children and wouldn't have done so in a Starbucks (let alone Claridges) without a well-placed scarf or a nursing cover. They are public places after all.

[vendredimanche]

I agree with dinosaur. It would have never crossed the minds of our mothers or grandmothers generations to breastfeed in the Claridges tea room. So why so much fuss today? And for someone so distraught she looks quite happy on her twitter pic. I'm with Claridges on this one...

[ExitPursuedByABear]

I find that putting a napkin/cover over the baby's head can be less discrete than simply popping them under your shirt, as she was doing in the first photo. Especially if the little one starts squirming and getting too hot.

If seeing breasts is an issue, the baby's head would cover most of it. You'd probably see more breast if someone was wearing a low cut top (which they wouldn't be doing so a baby could have its lunch).

[Mrs Contractor Mum]

The point is the law takes precedence over someone's sensibilities. Also, has anyone actually tried having a meal or drink of milk under a sheet? Anyone suggesting a baby have their food like that should try it themselves. Same with those suggesting mothers feed their babies in a toilet.

[lemonzest]

I think it looks a great deal more conspicuous with the napkin, but then someone breastfeeding is never going to put me off my petit fours!!

[schoolgatesmum]

But it's actually less discreet with the enormous napkin. I can't bear this thing about covering up feeding your baby - it is a natural thing to do. And my Mum thinks it's much better these days. She was in the minority breast feeding and she spent many a time sitting in a toilet on her own. I wonder what they'd do if Beyoncé walked in with her see through dress?!

[jg75]

The issue for me is more the principle that someone would go up to a breastfeeding mother and make them feel self conscious about feeding their baby. I personally had babies that never stopped feeding for the first few months. At first I was house bound (I literally didn't leave the house for the first six weeks) and when I finally got my act together I would panic about being caught somewhere and having to breastfeed in public. It's quite a lonely time for mothers of newborns, particularly first time around, and it can't help when people are singling them out and asking them to behave in a different way. And making them look ridiculous with a napkin over them.

When I eventually ventured out, I would use one of those breastfeeding covers, but only because I wasn't good at being discreet otherwise. But the woman in the article didn't have any breast on display and I just can't see how it could be offensive.

Some of the comments to that article are so disheartening - I hope they're not representative of the general view on this type of thing!

[Nev123]

It's disappointing to see this is how Claridges react to breastfeeding. The lady was being perfectly discreet without having to shroud her baby in an enormous napkin. It should really be the woman's choice how she covers up. I agree with those that have already said it can get very hot for the poor baby under the cover up. I also found as my son got older he'd protest about the cover up, flap about and end up exposing more of me than if I'd not bothered at all. Breastfeeding should be supported. You can walk into a news agent and see as much boob as you like in the papers/magazines yet it's somehow offensive if the tiniest amount of flesh is showing when feeding a baby.

[Bodders1]

Hmmm I think it is a bit of a storm in a teacup...
That said would Claridges ask someone wearing a very short skirt, or a see through or very low cut top to cover up? or someone wearing a full face veil to "uncover". I think not! Yet presumably these attires could potentially cause offence to other diners?

[LP73]

Good for Claridges. The woman in question was interviewed on the news last night and let's just say she didn't do herself any favours.

I 100% encourage breastfeeding but in places such as a restaurant, cafe etc then ladies should be more discreet and who really wants to have their assets on show for all to see?

Breast feeding covers and muslins are available and so easy to use so why not use them? There are also too many weirdos in he world these days so perhaps we all need to be a little more careful in public places.

[BFW]

I took my 89 year old dad for afternoon tea at the Savoy and a lady sitting right next to us started breastfeeding. Lets just say that she was not that discreet and I mean we literally had full size DD boobs hanging out. I didn't mind to be honest but my dad - different generation and quite old fashioned !!- found it incredibly uncomfortable and it literally ruined his afternoon tea. He didn't know where to look !! (it was quite funny poor dad... !)

I am all for breastfeeding but I do also think that there might be places where perhaps the clientele might not appreciate it especially if they have spent a lot of money to be there ? I have breastfed in Claridges - it was a work tea party and I had a 3 month old and I can confirm that the loos are lovely with very comfortable sofas and the lovely waiter even bought me a cup of tea in the loo !

Each to their own but personally I would not breastfeed in the middle of Clardiges while having my tea...