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Post by brumwolf on Jun 1, 2007 18:00:57 GMT 1
My own belief if that special rooms for breastfeeding promote the idea that it is an activity which people should be somehow ashamed of and, if they insist on doing it, they should make sure that no-one else has to know. I really aint sure what kind of image for this you have in you mind but whatever it is its not either pleasent or what I was putting forward. IF I had my way, I would having something like a cafe or some kind of coffie shop slap bang in the middle of the highstreet (not hidden away) where its open and visable to all. Some where parents can go, relax, feed the kids just as someone else would wonder into $tarbucks for a coffie. It would be a great way for services which would otherwise either have to be delivered at a doctors or some other enviroment which is clinical and detatched from everyday life in a manner which was accessable. And by accessable I don't just mean for people with disabilities, consider this, if you are a workin mum, when do you have time in the week to talk to a health advisor or be part of the other mother and child support groups which exist? I see this as an opertunity to provide not just one basic service but to extend that to provide a whole host of services which would other wise onle be available to those who don't work and can take advantage of whats there during the week. How about if such areas provided staff who, if the mother had older children, could keep an eye on them while the mother feed the baby? Again, its taking presure off the mother and going that one stage further to helping a fellow member of society. Who knows, letting kids play somewhere safe away from, say other shoppers might actualy help everyone. It would certainly reduce the number of kids which run riot in shops while their parents are distracted. That is not ghettoising anyone, thats empowering people to live their lives as they choose in an equal and balanced way. I guess it all comes down to if you see the positive in life of the negative. Personaly, I feel that as humans we are better then we think we are.
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Post by brumwolf on Jun 1, 2007 18:59:29 GMT 1
That's a very good point Wolf, and I hope we will see more of it. Instantly implying that I ussualy talk bo*****s ;D Thats one of the bizzare paradoxes of modern life, the preasure is there for everyone to work, but for those who do work they have to suffer from reduced services. Services which those who work pay for.
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Post by kharma on Jun 1, 2007 20:48:05 GMT 1
Thanks for the support ;D
I have to admit Starbucks or Druckers is much nicer than a little box to feed ur baby, what better an excuse to stop and have a coffee. i suppose breastfeeding area can replace the smoking areas in restaurants and cafes come July 1st and then people will be aware of what they might (or might not see in my case i am also discreet) see as there will be some vacancies. ;D
Jo
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Post by brumwolf on Jun 1, 2007 20:53:45 GMT 1
Note the smilie and you'll see if you hit a sore point
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Post by brumwolf on Jun 1, 2007 21:01:15 GMT 1
You know what would make some sence, these shops that cash in on parents like Mothercare and so on. Why don't they provide somewhere decent for breastfeeding mothers?
If they are happy to take the money from parents they they could at least give something back. Perhaps its an idea which could be considered by those who feel strongly about righting lifes wrongs to raise with such shops?
Who knows, putting the idea into their heads ahead of the introduction of such requirements pointing out how they would get massive possitive publicity and attract the very people whey are trying to market to.
Just a thought.
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Post by brumwolf on Jun 1, 2007 21:20:47 GMT 1
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Post by ned on Jun 1, 2007 22:14:46 GMT 1
In response to Wyrdewood I have questioned where this has come from over the years and my opinion is certainly not one which has been arrived at on the spur of the moment. As said, I do see such areas being for the comfort of some people who breastfeed as a positive however, I also acknowledge that that is not the only potential influence of such areas and it is those latter possiblities which greatly sway my opinion on such. In response to brumwolf My comments were not specifically aimed at, nor generally in response to, your post therefore I had given no thought as to what it was you were envisioning. I certainly did not imagine any unpleasantness about the design etc of a breastfeeding area/room as I would hope that, if such things were to become commonplace, considerable effort would be put into their decor etc. I guess it all comes down to if you see the positive in life of the negative. Personaly, I feel that as humans we are better then we think we are. Or, secret option number 3 - seeing both the positive and negative. I do think that the human race has oodles of untapped and unfulfilled potential and hope that this can be un-un'ed (I know, I made that word up but you know what I mean ) however, I am under no illusion that this will be an easy task and, regarding the matter in hand, do not see set aside breastfeeding areas as the way to alter perception.
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Post by brumwolf on Jun 1, 2007 22:51:14 GMT 1
My comments were not specifically aimed at, nor generally in response to, your post therefore I had given no thought as to what it was you were envisioning. I refer you to this post you made. My own belief if that special rooms for breastfeeding promote the idea that it is an activity which people should be somehow ashamed of and, if they insist on doing it, they should make sure that no-one else has to know. As belief comes from thought, unless you are saying that your beliefs come from some kind of irrasional prejudice or some kind of divine inspiration to be blindly followed, you are rather contradicting yourself there. You might want to re-read what was said and what you wrote But to answer your point. In it self it won't change perceptions in the here and now. Just as banning racistism/homophobia/sexism or whatever would in itself stop them from existing in the here and now, but it does send a clear message to the current generations that things are changing. And thats the important thing. Putting it back in the context of this thread, if such areas/places are everyday then they become the norm, once that happens then perception does change. Something only has to be around for around 10 years for it to be the norm.
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Post by ned on Jun 2, 2007 10:10:44 GMT 1
You might want to re-read what was said and what you wrote Having re-read what I wrote I fail to see any contradictions. There were several posts regarding rooms/areas and I wrote my opinion on these in response to their general idea being mooted therefore, they were not specifically in response to yourself and I had not given thought to your particular vision of said rooms/areas. Where do my posts contradict this? Using your examples of racism/homophobia/sexism surely an area/room for breastfeeding and accompanying matters would be more akin to segregation than anything else? 'There's a special place for your kind, we don't want you in here' sort of mentality.
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Post by wyrdewood on Jun 2, 2007 10:28:23 GMT 1
As said, I do see such areas being for the comfort of some people who breastfeed as a positive however, I also acknowledge that that is not the only potential influence of such areas and it is those latter possibilities which greatly sway my opinion on such. When you say, "latter possibilities" are you referring to the people who would have a problem? If so, then the point to remember is that the people who have a problem are the ones with the problem. Just because a minority believe that there is something wrong with breastfeeding in public doesn't mean that we shouldn't have designated areas. As Brumwolf suggested, I am sure that places could be provided that were discreet and comfortable without hiding people away in some cubby hole. Indeed, I think ten years would easily see an acceptance of this idea. We only have to look at some of the things that were taboo when we were children and how we laugh, looking back at how ridiculous we were then. In Victorian times, the temperance movement lobbied parliament about the fact that women were showing their legs below the knee and that this would lead to sexual depravity, lawlessness and the breakdown of society. I rest my case.
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Post by ned on Jun 2, 2007 10:45:47 GMT 1
When you say, "latter possibilities" are you referring to the people who would have a problem? No. I'm referring to the latter possibilities as (very) briefly alluded to in my first post. Depends on perspective - people tend to think it's invariably the other people who have the problem - those who disagree with breastfeeding in public would thing that those that do such things are the ones with the problem etc. > < Some people still think it does contribute and, perhaps, there is some corollary at least
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Post by wyrdewood on Jun 2, 2007 13:46:39 GMT 1
I think that you have hit the nail on the head, when you say, "there is some corollary". This is because whilst some people continue to see women's breasts as sexual objects, they will continue to object. This IS a problem with those individuals, who perhaps need counselling regarding the exceptance of women as equals and not sexual objects. I see a woman breastfeeding as someone performing a neccesity of nature for the benefit of their child. To object, intercede or be offended shows this persons lack of emotional and sexual development. In my world, there is NO corollary between showing flesh, in performing the act of feeding your child, and, say, showing your forearm when removing a coat.
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Post by moonflower on Jun 5, 2007 17:12:24 GMT 1
I fed both my girls on demand in various public places. I did this discretely without making a fuss and without flashing my breasts to everyone.
In my experience most parent rooms are in or next to the toilets and I refused to sit and feed the girls in those areas. Why should we have an area set aside as if we're doing something wrong or have got infectious diseases.
The only time I got funny looks was in the library but even then I think it was a case of screaming baby or breastfeeding mum, the librarian was more than happy to find me a comfy seat and she even bought me a drink over!
As for when to stop breastfeeding I think you and your child know when this time comes so be guided by your own feelings and/or their demand. Having them whip your top up for a quick drink at the school gate is probably best avoided though.
Happy feeding Jo, it's a wonderful time so you enjoy it. BB Vicki x
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Post by moonsmith on Jun 5, 2007 20:09:04 GMT 1
Does anyone remember Mothercare and breastfeeding? 25 years ago they tried to STOP a mother breast feeding in their shop.
They got "Feed Ins" all over the country!
To hell with legislation - do it carefully but just do it. NO ONE is going to carry the adverse publicity arising from trying to stop you.
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Post by ian on Jun 7, 2007 20:50:13 GMT 1
I really cannot see why people get so het up over this, so what if a woman breastfeeds her child where ever, who cares, lets face it no-body turns their head when you see top less women on a beach, i dont see that they should be any kind of taboo about it nowadays, ffs we are meant to be living in the 21st century, maybe the people who complain about this should remember that women actualy have the vote now (something i dont agree with but hey and as for them having equal rights, well!) ;D I AM JOKING
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