Virgil Evetts

“THOU SHALT NOT BREAST FEED AT THE TABLE.  Yes, I have seen table-side breast feeding at a four-star restaurant. If at all possible, take it to the ladies room. (Note: most upscale restaurants have really nice restrooms!)”

So began the ‘10 commandments of dining with little kids’ ^[1], published in that bible of genteel fustiness, Better Homes and Gardens magazine, this week – to massive international outrage from mothers and parenting groups. The publishers back-peddled like crazy, removed the offending/offensive passage from the web version, and issued a formal apology. All is forgiven.

Well no, there are still throngs of seriously pissed-off mothers out there who will be unlikely to pick up a copy of BH&G anytime soon. Fact is, this was a startling stupid, offensive and prudish statement to make in a publication read mostly by women – particularly ‘nesting’ new mothers. It shouldn’t have made it past the editors.

The rest of the highly offending article is actually made up of some pretty good advice, so one wonders how the writer, known only as Heather W(apparently a mother herself), made such an egregious, poorly judged blunder.

Having worked for many years in a public venue popular with families, I don’t bat an eyelid at the sight of breast feeding; I couldn’t care less if it’s going on at the next table in a restaurant. The adults are eating, so why not the baby too? Although I guess it could count as bringing in outside food.

I do however question the appropriateness or wisdom of taking a baby to a four-star restaurant. Doing so is hardly considerate to your fellow diners and is not likely to be much fun for you either. Baby WILL get bored/tired/hungry/ and cry; other diners WILL give you disapproving looks and the braver ones may even complain.  Is it really worth the stress for all involved?

Get a bloody babysitter.

What do you think? Is tableside breast feeding in restaurants ok?  Do babies even belong in restaurants?

Method