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Many new mums will not breast-feed in public
A NEW survey has shown that some new mums are that terrified of breastfeeding outdoors they would rather hide away in public toilets than risk disapproving glances.
The survey also showed that a fifth of mums are so worried about other people's opinions they have opted to leave their babies screaming for milk rather than breast feed them.
The poll of 3,500 mums nationwide was conducted by Kamillosan Chamomile Ointment and revealed that many mothers fear that what is a bonding technique is being spoiled by negative reactions, inappropriate comments and blatant stares.
Lucy Symons, a spokeswoman for Kamillosan, said: "It is absolutely ludicrous that in this modern day and age a mother cannot do one of the most natural acts and feed her child without comments and stares from strangers.
"Breastfeeding is a complex and sensitive issue.
"Many women assume they will be able to feed their baby effortlessly and are then so disappointed when they realise things are harder than they thought."
The Mail took to the streets of Hartlepool to see how mothers in the town felt about the issue.
Lucy Dowson, 21, breast-fed her two sons, 16-month-old Harry and Alfie, six months.
She said: "I did it all the time. It didn't bother me. Old people would tut at me. I would sit in the corner, it was not as if I was in the middle of a cafe or somewhere."
Lucy, who lives in Bishop Auckland and works at the Orange call centre in Darlington, added: "It helps with the bonding process. I cried when I gave Harry his first bottle. I was thinking 'I'm a bad mam'.
"I feel really sorry for the women who feel forced to do it in toilets. I wouldn't be ashamed."
Great-grandmother Margery Errington, 65, couldn't breast-feed her five children because of her epilepsy.
But she says one of her grandaughters, who lives in Sunderland, recently gave birth and she breastfeeds.
"She usually has a blanket around the baby when she's doing it in public and we help her hold the blanket up," said Margery, a retired seamstress from Wheatley Hill in east Durham.
Margery, who has seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, added: "I think there was a stigma a few years ago, but now it's more acceptable.
"I think it's terrible that some people are having to feed their babies in toilets. It's unhygienic. Breastfeeding is just a natural process.
"Years ago you had no option but to feed your baby this way. Babies are better off being breast-fed."
Nicky Tasker, 39, a student from Johnson Street in Hartlepool, breastfed her children around 10 years ago and is a mum who resorted to hiding in the toilet at feeding time.
She said: "It was a bit worse back then but I would like to say it's getting better, going from my friends' experiences who have recently had babies."It's either a case of leaving your baby to cry until you find somewhere or until you can sit in the car. I breastfed in the toilet after I was asked to leave from somewhere. You couldn't see anything.
"I was always conscious of finding something to wear when going out that was easy to pull over or around the baby."
Amanda Jukes, a mother to 16-year-old and 10-year-old daughters who lives in Stotfold Street, Hartlepool, said: "I'm all for breast-feeding. I think everybody should try it.
"I didn't care where I was. I was discreet about it. You don't have to lollop it out. I got a few occasional tuts."
Amanda, who is a carer, added: "With me being short, years ago I slid the baby underneath a table and did it there and my best friend said 'Do you have to do that?'
"It's the most natural process of bringing up a child. I think the general public, if they see a feeding mother, should back off. There are weird reactions."
Chelsea Prosser, 22, who is mother to 23-month old Jordan Deer and a part-time shop assistant, chose not to breast-feed for "convenience".
Chelsea, from Whitrout Road in Hartlepool, said: "When people do it, it shouldn't matter because they are feeding their kid at the end of the day. There are no facilities to do it here. People either hide in the toilets or wait until they get home, it depends if the mum's comfortable.
"They shouldn't care what anybody else thinks. I chose not to for convenience so my partner could feed the baby."
What do you think about breastfeeding in public? Do you have any good or bad experiences regarding the subject? Let the Mail newsdesk know on 01429 239380 or by emailing mail.news@northeast-press.co.uk
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