in

Netherlands

Breastfeeding in public

I have never ever been made to feel uncomfortable or anything breastfeeding here. The only comments that have been made have been very positive ones! But today, at my daughter’s toddler music class, I fed her in it when we were all sat down and after the class the teacher came up to me (in front of everyone) and asked me if I must breastfeed, if I could remove myself as to not make others feel uncomfortable. I was very taken aback, shocked! Especially given where we were! I was quite upset afterwards and what I found odder was one when of the other mums text me to ask why I had left in such a rush; she was almost defending the teacher. Saying that the teacher should have asked everyone if they were uncomfortable bringing approaching me And when I said I would be very surprised if another parent would be bothered by that, she said no I expect the father and grandmother that were there probably were bothered and were perfectly within their right to tell me if they were bothered by it. And that as a tight lipped British person, that I would find this un normal but it was the norm here to complain about such matters. I found this odd, disappointing even?! Just feeling quite shocked and hurt by it all to be honest. I thought breastfeeding in such a scenario would have been more acceptable there than anywhere else.