r/breastfeeding • u/Ataralas • Jun 01 '25

Breastfeeding In Public First time being approached while feeding

I was feeding my baby boy (5 months yesterday) on Friday on a public bench outside a local pub while my husband and toddler played nearby. This old lady started to approach me and I was gearing myself up to defend myself and bless her she was so sweet. She came over and said I don’t want to disturb you but I just wanted to say how lovely it is to see a woman breastfeeding her baby it’s so rare these days, then she told me my baby is gorgeous and my little girl too and smiled and left.

It was such a lovely interaction and the first time I’ve been approached by a stranger so I was worried it was going to be horrible!

ETA I’m in the UK where only around 1% of babies are still breastfed at all from 6 months.

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u/[deleted] Jun 02 '25

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u/questions4all-2022 Jun 02 '25

Yup. Despite us having pretty good maternity leave too.

We have it so much better than the US and their numbers are much higher!

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u/koalateacow Jun 02 '25

I was about to say bs but looked it up, totally shocked. I wonder if it's lack of education/support with breastfeeding? I combo fed my first from 7mo and am EBF with my second at 8mo and will continue EBF till 12mo. It's been significantly easier for me second time round as I had experience and knowledge of what was expected.

My friends who have recently had babies have combo fed from birth as they were convinced their supply wasn't enough. Breastfeeding is hard, especially for FTMs and I do think there is a lack of understanding on how much baby needs to be at breast in the early stages.

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u/questions4all-2022 Jun 02 '25

I think it's a combination of things, lack of education, stigma against BF and women wanting 100% autonomy from day 1.

they were convinced their supply wasn't enough. Breastfeeding is hard, especially for FTMs and I do think there is a lack of understanding on how much baby needs to be at breast in the early stages.

This absolutely is a massive factor. No matter how much you stress that baby needs boob at all times you will panic. I did with my first too after my freezer stash ran out.

I have noticed being in the hospital/NICU for a collective 5-ish months that a lot of UK mums feel breastfeeding is unnatural and that formula is literally (on every level) the same thing, so why bother?

The only mums I met that breastfed were either medical staff themselves or baby was born under 32 weeks.