Does your children's childcare make you feel bad for feeding in public/common areas. The childcare has said breastfeeding is only allowed in designated rooms/areas. They actually stop mothers feeding and ask them to move into private areas(babies room) to feed. Is this normal are others experiencing this where their children attend? I cannot wrap my head around a childcare is making it more difficult for a mother to feed and need opinions of others to see if I am being sensitive.
7 Replies
I used to work in childcare, although I was in the 2 to 3 age group so this didn't come up that often in my area.
In the instance a mum did need to feed though we'd direct them to a quieter place that worked for us staff - mostly because in the main room we didn't really have space for mums to sit and feed and it could interfere with the routines and activities we were doing with the kids.
So it wasn't a "breast feeding is controversial we don't want to see it" thing (I really hope no one ever took it that way), it was simply just a practicality issue.
How old is the child? And how many times are day are you going in to feed?
This can be really disruptive for the other children so I can understand if they have a designated breastfeeding area so as not to disrupt other children’s learning and playtime.
I don’t think they’re discriminating against you or making it hard for you to feed, rather there doing their best to accomodate all the children
The babies room is not really a private area. I think it’s got more to do with space, not distracting other children, keeping communal spaces clear and free moving etc.
The designated area one is actually is one of the busiest areas of entire area. It's not quiet or private. The area mum was asked to move from is frequently used to bottle feed or sit with children needing cuddles.
Ive never breastfed at childcare. Just drop or pick and go.
It's more to do with general running of the centre. You haven't been told no so why does it bother you where they ask you to sit?You're going in to their workplace... work with them.
I am a Family Day Care educator and I have a mum that comes in, in her lunch break to breast feed her bub. I have offered for her to do it in my bedroom, purely for her own privacy. However, she declined and sat down on my couch to feed. I now make her a coffee, grab her a drink of water and work around her, with the other children in the room. I love the company and chat during the day.