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Updated 22.29pm
A SIGN PUT up by Dublin Airport that asked breastfeeding mothers to “use discretion and respect the privacy of others” could have been worded better, the airport has admitted.
The sign was on the door into a new ‘dedicated baby feeding room’ for mothers and families travelling through Terminal 2 of Dublin Airport.
According to the DAA:
There is no lock on the door to the baby feeding room and the reason for the sign was to indicate that anyone waiting outside to use the room should respect the privacy of those inside the facility feeding their children.
They said however, that it was “a poorly-written sign that was being misconstrued” was removed a couple of days later, but Dublin Airport say no complaints were made about the sign while it was up.
marguerite sinnott / Twitter@DublinAirport so very very disappointed to see the below sign. Can you explain? pic.twitter.com/4oW04Mswf8
— marguerite sinnott (@rite20) September 27, 2016
Siobhán O’Donnell, Head of External Communications for Dublin Airport, said that the family room was based on customer feedback.
She said that when customers were asked about how their experience at Dublin Airport could be enhanced, the issue of mothers wishing to feed their babies was “something that came up a lot”.
A small project team then created a room for mothers to feed their babies in private.
The room is said to have “a bright and colourful vinyl”, a high chair, a microwave, a bottle warmer, and mobile lighting to help soothe babies to sleep.
There are seats outside for others who are travelling to wait and there is also a comment book inside the room for passenger feedback.
The team are currently looking for a location for a similar room in Terminal 1.
Breastfeeding in public places has become a topical issue, as some say it shouldn’t be done in restaurants or public places, including MP Sammy Wilson, who called it a “kind of voyeurism”.
Mothers and feminist groups have argued that the priority should be on feeding a child, not the opinions of others, and that breastfeeding, which is a natural act, should not be met with discomfort or dislike.
Dublin Airport have said that they ”welcome breastfeeding mothers throughout all areas of the airport and also has private rooms available for baby feeding if required”.
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“A small project team”…What? No focus group? Feasibility study? Task force? Environmental impact survey? Diversity awareness training? Aah it was bound to come apart…..
It really wasn’t the breast wording to use!
Somehow, I reckon a man was responsible for this sign. And he probably said to himself that if he showed off his Microsoft Publisher skills and stuck in a few flowers on the sign, sure the wimin would like that and would be more likely to do as they’re told. No point in upsetting that blue-rinse Donald Trump seventy-something lady that complained about it, just in case she visits again. Have to be seen to be welcoming to our overseas masters you know… Ireland of the Welcomes and all that. Now would someone please shut up that crying baby.
That sign is so “modern” Ireland. You can feed them, but keep ‘em covered!
That line caught my attention too. They work in a different world!
@up down:
someone definitely made a tit of themselves!
You are so right on my feminist friend always a man to blame
I bet the DAA feels like a right tit now
Personally, I think the ladies should get them out to feed the nippers any time they want. This crapp about having to hide away to do something as natural as breast feeding is ridiculous. Though I was once in the company of a lady who asked me did I mind if she fed her 5 year old. No problem I said thinking she was going to give him a yogurt. Awkwardsville when she got one of the baps out. Not only was he old enough to ask for it, he could have written the request.
Imagine feeding your baby where others are feeding themselves! Next thing you know, the bottle fed babies will be eating where others eat. Where will this madness end?!!
@Jolanta you can’t compare urinating to breastfeeding. Urinating in public is unhygienic and anti-social whereas breastfeeding a baby is none of those. Feeding a child is a necessity. Women are equipped to feed kids. The fact that in the 21st century people would have issue with it is the real disgrace. Breasts…mounds of flesh with a nipply bit, made to feed kids. Get over it.
King tut that was some pic you’ve just put in my head.
Jolanta I actually agree with you. Why not be discreet? Why do some people push everything to the limit? We used to live in caves and we built houses so why go backwards. By all means feed your child but stop grandstanding and doing the how great am I thing!!,
@Keith D’arcy sexist pig…
@Jolanta Christenson whats not right about it? If my baby needs to be fed im going to do it in a bar or at a table regardless of what you think. My priority is that my baby isnt hungry not that some weird twisted prude is judging me for it. Like honestly you need to get a grip of yourself woman.
Mary, I agree that some women make a spectacle of it but most are discrete. I’ve had conversations with women as they breastfed and I hardly noticed. I think the fact I stared deep into their eyes and prayed not to lose eye contact helped though.
Nothing wrong with breast feeding your baby anywhere. The baby’s head covers most of the breast. If you don’t like it don’t look. If you are offended don’t worry it’s not fatal.
People who get offended by a woman feeding her child seriously need to get out more. Thats what boobies are for first and foremost people..deal with it and get over yourselves!!!
Reading these comment sections really shows me how many idiots there are about the place. Boob = natural bottle. Scared to see breastfeeding as an adult = stick a fork in a plug socket and do us all a favour.
King Tut, Did the five year old just help himself to the breast?
Ooooonapalumpah why does your attitude not surprise me one bit!
The sentence doesn’t even make sense. What would public breastfeeding have to do with someone else’s privacy. You’re not pulling their clothes off. :-P
Why couldn’t it just say breastfeeding room and leave it at that. Toilets don’t have statements like please respect the privacy of people while taking a dump or a pee which people would probably object to more if it was done in public.
When a child is hungry it’s hungry let mothers feed them where ever they want
Ah come on now, I eat at a table. I don’t urinate at a table. Apples and oranges comparing breastfeeding to urinating. If the place is suitable to shove a bottle in a baby’s mouth without anyone batting an eyelid, then it’s suitable for breastfeeding.
I don’t see an issue here.
Please keep looking until you’re outraged.
I couldn’t see it at first either but look at the sign closely, they’ve used an exclamation mark after the word “others”. The bleeding cheek of them.
DAA is not an airline Journal. Basics please
The sign would be perfect without the ending sentence.
Apart from some wording issues, I think it’s a nice idea. As a mum who breastfed her first and only, I can see the benefit of a bit of peace and quiet. Feeding is grand but the footering w your top is awkward in the middle of a crowded airport. Older babies are also v nosy when feeding so again, a feeding room would be nice.
Dublin Airport is not an airline. It’s run by the DAA.
Nothing to be offended about here. Just someone who isn’t the best at wording posters. The flowers were a nice touch though!
Why are some people so offended by seeing a mother breastfeeding? I wonder are they the same people who are offended by seeing gay people showing public displays of affection?
I myself get offended by people thinking they have the right to force others to stop doing things that are neither non offensive nor crude because it makes them uncomfortable..maybe we need to have signs that say…”if you are offended by breastfeeding or PDAs, stay home and you’ll be grand”
Well said Darren
I bet who ever wrote that sign feels like a right tit.
@Aidan Coughlan: Or a left one. Baby’s preference.
Whoever wrote that is man.
An idiot too
Unlike what the feminazis would have us believe, not every breastfeeding mom wants to do so in public. Are Lingus provide such a room and request discretion in the room no doubt because those who feel they want a room also probably want privacy. I don’t see the issue here?
It’s the fact that the last sentence is asking feeding mothers to respect the privacy of OTHERS. Not allegedly to give them privacy.
The point is – other people’s privacy or sensitivity to breastfeeding should be irrelevant and to object to the practice in public is the height of bad manners.
Even when a suitable room is provided, mothers should not feel compelled to use it
I’ve never seen a woman breastfeeding (including meself) who was not as discreet as possible. To tell woman “respect the privacy of others” is laughable when you consider a breastfeeding mother is doing her utmost to respect her own!!
It’s very nice and considerate of daa to provide a feeding room for all families,irrespective of feeding method. Sometimes a baby settles better when in a cosy quieter space, sometimes there are older siblings that the parent needs to keep safe etc but no family should be obliged to use it if it doesn’t suit them. The last line in the sign is bizarre and seems to imply that breastfeeding mothers are gratuitously exposing themselves rather than just feeding their babies and young children which they are perfectly entitled to do. The sign really ought to read ‘we request all our passengers use discretion and respect the privacy of mothers (parents) caring for their children’
MP Sammy Wilson, who called it a “kind of voyeurism”. Seriously?
@Emer TLC: @Emer TLC: Yes he did. This guy. Seriously. http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lm2q7d4x3Y1qcdumxo1_400.jpg
Sammy is wrong. It’s more like exhibitionism.
@Emer TLC: He’s in the DUP. Never mind them eejits.
More women need to feed their young children natural, then people will get use to. There are alot worst things children and adults are subject to. I lived in Southern Africa and alot of women feed their babies no one batters their eye lids or cares.
What’s all this about battered eyelids? I’m getting hungry!
What’s the problem?
Udder nonsense.
I think that, in this day and age, it’s disgraceful that breastfeeding in public is still taboo. A woman can feed her baby with a bottle anywhere, but when it comes Rio breastfeeding it’s immediately sexualized and mothers are humiliated because they are trying to feed their child in the best possible way. Do the people who complain about public breastfeeding know how hard it is to breastfeed? Do they know how painful it can be sometimes but the mother endures for the sake of her child? How would they feel if they were asked to move into segregated rooms because of their eating habits? No wonder more mothers don’t breastfeed. Our society frowns on it. Seriously at the end of the day, mothers are not whipping out their breasts for you to look at. Most are incredibly discreet. Do you stare at someone because they have a huge cup of coffee in their hands? Do you tell them their sandwich is showing too much so could they go somewhere more private? Why are you even looking anyway?????? Bottom line is, maybe businesses should be focusing on not making such an issue about it and just let mothers feed in peace, like everyone else…..
Well said dee flynn.
Dee
Relax.
Nobody suggested mothers move into a segregated room. The DAA offered this room as an extra option.
It’s a bit like a person in a wheelchair complain they are forced to use a disabled toilet.
No they are not. It’s an extra option.
Chill out and stop being so dramatic
Amazing the number of people posting here who don’t think it’s right for a woman to breastfeed in public but are up in arms about Muslim women not getting their tits out on French beaches.
Baby takes priority over someone’s opposing opinion. Why would they put your thoughts and feelings over a little ones need to feed. That’s just F stupid. Who are you and who gives a S what you think? What I would say to the protesters of Breast Feeding is Grow up and grow some Effin balls and stop making an ass of yourself by complaining. Go home if you don’t like it.
Ireland has one of the lowest rates of breastfeed in Europe. As a mother who has breastfed (and bottlefed) I thankfully never ran into any idiots who claimed to be offended by my feeding my child. I cant imagine if I had of though….I think I would have just burst into tears! Its lovely to see so many people on here in support of breadtfeeding mammies. Personally if I came across anyone making a breastfeeding mother uncomfortable..well lets just say it wouldnt be pretty..
That went tits up
Personally I don’t see the problem with breastfeeding in public and I think anyone who gets offended should just look the other way.
That being said I know a number of mothers who aren’t comfortable breast feeding in public and would prefer somewhere more private to breastfeed.
So if a room is provided for mothers to use IF THEY WISH I don’t see a problem with it.
But the DAA are right they worded it terribly. No one should be discouraged from breastfeeding in public
The outraged will milk this for all it’s worth.
Are you outraged they are outraged?
Would have been worse if they left the ‘r’ out of breastfeeding, actually that’d be funny
I have felt that way many times trying to get a spoonful of food in to my toddler
Lol
As natural as the day is long. Small minded DAA. Grow up!
I am the father of 4 kids who were all breast fed without any issues being encountered anywhere , would an idea for Dublin Airport not have been to come up with a “special room” for people who have a provlem with it ??
The Slippery Nipples are far nicer in the airport’s cocktail lounge.
This facility looks great, well done Dublin airport. Where I do have issue with the sign though, is that it gives the impression that I could not breastfeed anywhere else in the terminal. Which I’m sure was not the intention, but that is how it reads.
Translation: It’s OK to breastfeed here but for the love of God don’t show us your boobs!!
Good job in making a breastfeeding mum feel comfortable.
All natural bodily processes should be permitted in public, once they are conducted discreetly.
So we should all drop our trousers and take a shit wherever we want?
Depends on what you categorise as a “bodily process”.
Don’t worry Alpha, I get the sarcasm. ☺️
Why was the sign even put up in the first place to start with???????
Storm in a D cup really.
What a bunch of tits…
I guess I wouldn’t be the first to point out that masturbation is also a natural act.
That’s just stupid really isn’t it. Next you’ll be saying dill doe’in your ass in public is natural as well.
I wouldn’t be the first to think that you are a tit.
Why does a Brest feeding room need a microwave? Is the mother going to have a microwave curry while she Feds her little one.
Besides our own, with so many new religious nut jobs coming into the country maybe these are who the sign was directing mothers to have discretion for?
Microwave, bottle warmer, breastfeeding …….is there something wrong with that picture. Breastfeeding requires neither a bottle or a warmer. Breastmilk is provided directly from the breast at exactly the correct temperature?!!!!
No wonder Ireland has one of the lowest breast feeding statistics in the World….
Why the need for discretion if it’s only for breastfeeding mothers?
I don’t see the problem.. it’s a polite way of asking “please no photos in the breastfeeding room”.
So someone made a boob of it then!
Brave Woman……5 years old with teeth….. ouch !!!!!!
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