[Waltzing]

Ok well first I want to say that I don't mind breastfeeding in public toilets. Because my boobs are so big I can't feed discretely in public. I know you better-proportioned ladies manage, but DSs tiny head and my boobs bring to mind an asteroid floating beneath enormous twin planets. In fact at first glance you might not even notice a baby was there. You might just wonder why does that woman have her huge boobs out, and how does she even stand up without falling over?

It's also takes some juggling to get him on properly, and then constant monitoring to ensure that he doesn't suffocate without me realizing . So I can't just chuck a shawl over the whole thing and hope he survives. Which is tricky as I have a phobia about handling my naked breasts around strangers.
Anyhoo, today we were out somewhere a bit posh, and there were no baby change rooms so we went into the (only) disabled loo.
(I used to feed DD in a normal size loo when she was a baby, but now with her 3 year old self to contend with it's impossible to fit her, me, baby and both my boobs into those little cubicles. Not to mention that she crawls out under the door and annoys old ladies washing their hands by saying 'You shouldn't put your hands in water they get wrinkly...ooh LOOK see')

While we were in there, someone (I presume an actual disabled person) knocked repeatedly. There was no way at that stage I could get DS to de-latch without pain for me, him screeeching, and my boobs spurting milk all over the disabled loo. Also there was no where else private I could feed him. (Sometimes I feed in the car, but it was like a billion degrees out there today) So I ignored knocking, finished feeding DS (which took over 10 minutes ) and rather guiltily snuck out, checking the coast was clear in case I was accosted by a very p*ssed-off legitimately disabled person dying to use the toilet.

WDYT? Is it really selfish to use the only disabled loo for the rather long time it takes to feed my baby? Should I just get over my getting my boobs out in public phobia? How do other large breasted women manage to be discrete, or do you just not care? All advice and criticism welcomed

[getbacktobed]

oops can't read, nor comprehend.

This post has been edited by getbacktobed: 10/02/2010, 05:30 PM

[slummymummy]

There were no baby change rooms, so no you did not do anything wrong. You are entitled to privacy.

[jaicorbe]

Absolutely you should not have been in there. Its hardly rocket science.

[essentiallyme]

Breastfeed wherever you feel comfortable.

[michelleandtam]

No i don't think its wrong. I would have asked someone though if there was anywhere i could feed my child. I always feel guilty going somewhere posh with a baby. Like i'm in the wrong place.

Its not as though you were in there doing your makeup or anything. I've always viewed disabled toilets as toilets for people to use that can't use the normal toilets. Whether you're an old person, pregnant and busting, in a wheelchair, with a pram etc. Don't see why this is any different.

[Rebothy]

but now with her 3 year old self to contend with it's impossible to fit her, me, baby and both my boobs into those little cubicles.

Three year old PLUS a breastfeeding baby, if I'm reading correctly.

I'm not sure, OP. Obviously you avoid using them if at all possible, but it doesn't seem like there was much alternative.

[Pillywiggins]

Yes I think you were selfish truthfully. So do you have a baby and your three year old, or is the three year old the baby? Well I've just re-read your scenario and I still think you were selfish. It's time to get up over your breast issues and just feed discreetly in public. You can still use a shawl and continually check the positioning of your baby, it really isn't rocket science. I fed all three of mine with nipple shields, they are truly a big PITA (they slip off or obstruct baby's air flow) but it's not rocket science to be discreet without hogging a disabled toilet.

Let's just hope whomever needed the toilet didn't sh*t/p*ss him/herself.

This post has been edited by Pillywiggins: 10/02/2010, 04:45 PM

[melajoe]

it's impossible to fit her, me, baby and both my boobs into those little cubicles.

getbacktobed, I don't think she was feeding the three year old.

I don't know what I would have done. It is tricky when there is no baby change room.

[Robbie]

Getbacktobed - i think she was feeding her baby DS.

I would look into a breastfeeding wrap or something similar, you can get pieces of fabric with boning in them that protect your privacy. I'm on my phone socan't look it up properly but that might enable you to feed discreetly in public. I think a disabled person needing to use the loo has more right to the room than you so I think you should have left when they knocked.