[Familyofmonkeys]

Was wondering what the current attitudes towards breastfeeding are like in Auckland. As we'll be coming over with a very young baby, it will inevitably need feeding alot. Are there any laws to protect you (like the ones in scotland for infants under 2), or can you be asked to leave places? My experience with my other 2 children in UK was always OK....got the odd funny look from some older men (sorry if that offends anyone), but most people just looked away without comment.

[veronica]

think you will find its pretty much the same here. like all things if you flaunt it you will offend, if you are discrete then most people will respect it.

[nippa&pippa]

Came with 9wks baby last april for 3weeks, then moved to NZ in oct when she was 9months, i just finish breastfeeding last week as she reach her first birthday..no problem about feeding in the public (you might get odd looks but who care as feeding your baby is more important than what people felt!) I did in catheral square in chch as examples...You will notice there isn't many breastfeeding in public as i did notice, but they do have good factility to use in mall (very nice!) for people wish to do it private. Also i have done few times to respect people like i was in 'posh' restuartant, i use large thin muslin sheet to cover her. You will be alright as NZ is very strong support in breastfeeding that plunkets (HV) told me they are trying get mums to feed child till 1 year old instead of UK's 6months guideline. You are also welcome to use plunkets' room to breastfeed if you ever see one as there is one in every suburb and small town if they are open.

[K&CS]

Funny this because I just finished bf yesterday and Alex is 17 months! This is longer than I fed my other two in the UK and this is a lot to do with the attitude here towards bf. I can't speak for the whole of NZ or even the whole of Chch, but where I live people seem to bf forever and are happy to do it anywhere at all!! I've never seen anyone being given funny looks or anything. Obviously, no-one flaunts it but I have to say, I've fed in places in public here that I simply wouldn't have in the UK.

Also, there does seem to be a far higher proportion of mums who bf here. I was pretty much in a minority in the UK, but I haven't met anyone here who doesn't bf (no offence intended to people who ff - each to their own). I have no idea why this is - maybe it has got something to do with the fact that it's encouraged and not frowned upon. Who knows?

It might be completely different in Auckland but I really wouldn't worry too much!

Kate x

[nippa&pippa]

Well done Kate! you done it very well there! I am very impressed! I had to stop last week for some reasons.

[jubjub]

Yup, you will be fine, there is no law as such as far as I know (as there is in Scotland), but there are parents rooms all over the place, and I have yet to find a bad/dirty one.

When you have a baby here you are expected to b/f (the pressure can be a bit much for those who really dont want to, or cant) so bad attitudes to b/f when out and about dont tend to happen.

[Jeany]

You'll find nz is very pro-breast feeding. Every mum I know here does breast feeding. I have a two-yr-old whom I fed to 9 months. I live in Hamilton and also spent quite sometime in Auckland when he was small. Most malls got very good parents room with cubicles for feeding. I fed him in parks as well, also in some restaurants. Never got anyone looked at me with funny looks, only friendly smiles. I used a front-pack that can be opened at either side for feeding, I didn't even need to take him out, very helpful.