Claridges ...

[TheOstrich]

Do you think they were right, asking that young mum to cover herself while breast-feeding?

As a guy, and of the older generation, I tend to agree with the hotel (and Nigel Farage) on this, but I accept that society today thinks it's OK (just like gay kissing in public). I guess I just don't like the ostentatiousness of it .....

What do you folk think?

[Osc]

Well in the photos I saw, it was far more obvious when they draped that ridiculous tablecloth over her, than when she was discreetly feeding her baby. It always amazes me how these five star establishments have no qualms about allowing some z list celeb virtually wearing underwear and leaving nothing to the imagination to attend some function or other, then raise merry hell when a woman tries to do the most natural thing in the world.

I have no doubt that there are women who breastfeed in inappropriate places, sometimes to look for attention so they can then be terribly offended when someone asks them to move, stop or cover up - for example wasn't there a case of a young woman breastfeeding in a swimming pool, now that is just plain stupid. But this young woman appeared to be doing it quietly and without any flesh being exposed, and it seems to me that the hotel totally overreacted.

[jenniren]

While I have no problems with breastfeeding in public I tend to agree with you Ossie, it doesn't have to be so obvious. Okay I'm not suggesting she should go to the ladies loo, but there's always somewhere a bit more discreet, a quiet area in the lounge for instance. We've been out to lunch with youngest daughter when she's had to feed one of the children and it's definitely possible to do this without anyone noticing.

Tbh sitting in a dining room where people pay a lot to have afternoon tea as a special event really isn't the ideal place. Also, just an observation, this seems to have been someone deliberately making a point. How convenient there was someone taking photo's, and incidentally interesting that the mother in question was clearly posed and smiling.

[debih]

It infuriates me.

Why is it acceptable to see women walking round with hardly anything on in the summer months and indeed sunbathing topless but it is unacceptable for a woman to breastfeed in public - bearing in mind that if it is done properly you can't actually tell that they are feeding.

If a shop/hotel/restaurant isn't prepared to put a place aside for breastfeeding mothers (and no, I dont include sitting on a chair in a public toilet in this description) then they should expect breastfeeding mums to do this discreetly in the room.

But, I do disagree with the pro breastfeeding brigade who go out of their way to shock.

[Kaz]

Breast feeding is a natural thing, and people really ought to accept it I think Did you know that even the Victorians accepted women breastfeeding in public, and didn't turn a hair at it? Our society has sexualised a perfectly natural function and it is a shame

You see more breast exposed on any beach than you will see when a baby is latched on

Jen I believe those photos were taken afterwards, for the article? At the time the young woman was apparently in tears......

[Aggers]

If the job is carried out discretely I see no reason why it shouldn't be done. It is a perfectly natural function,
but to stare at it is vulgar and in bad taste.

By contrast, the way some celebrities dress today is, in my opinion, a step too far. Singing and dancing
performed in costumes akin to underwear is, I think, pitiful, and quite unnecessary.

[saundra]

i really think there is a time and place for everthing and a public top hotel dining room is not one of them
i realise that more people do breast feed there babys and i think its great
in my day you didnt i dont remember any of my friends doing it
i remember when lillys mum was born out first granchild
and her mum started to breast feed her
bill was clearly embarrassed and soon disappered and i wasent very happy either
how things change
saying that i do not like to see pregnant ladys wearing little tops and a bare huge baby bump

[Workingman]

I have no problem with breastfeeding, wherever it takes place, but this woman does appear to be on a crusade.

By her own admission the hotel staff acted very professionally. Quote: “I started feeding her very discreetly when the waiter hurried over with a huge napkin, knelt down and said it was policy to cover up,” and "She said the waiter was polite, as was a supervisor who was very apologetic but stated that it was hotel policy for mothers to cover up while breastfeeding."

The photos and the rest of her story make it look and sound as though the waiter walked up and plonked a tablecloth over her and the baby; and of course we only have her side of the story because: A Claridge’s spokeswoman declined to discuss the incident, but said it did allow breastfeeding. “It is our policy never to talk about our guests,” she said.

It also looks from the photos that Claridges did not mind her taking photographic evidence for her rant; and she does not look like someone who has recently been weeping her eyes out. Quote: “My initial reaction was to burst into tears."

Ah bless, I wonder when the book comes out!

I know what my ex and many others would have done, and it includes choice language, a fuss, a cal for the manager "NOW!", a firm standing of ground and eventually a magnificent stomp!