Thanks for hopping over from Odd Socks and Lollipops and welcome to my post for the Keep Britain Breastfeeding Scavenger Hunt Day 2 Positive Public Feeding we have over £700 worth of breastfeeding and baby goodies up for grabs including prizes from Snoob with a breastfeeding scarf, a goodie bag from Forever Patricia and a breastfeeding necklace from Booby and the Bead. Full details of the Grand Prize can be found here and all entries to be completed via the Rafflecopter at the bottom of this post.
Positive Public Breastfeeding in Dubai
Following on from yesterday’s post on the start of my breastfeeding journey I now want to debunk the myth that breastfeeding in Dubai is frowned upon in public. Not only is public feeding acceptable, breastfeeding as a whole is celebrated.
Dubai, being a Muslim country, demands that you dress appropriately and respectfully. Which means shoulders and knees covered. With this a lot of people wrongly assume that public breastfeeding in Dubai would be a big NO NO. But you couldn’t be further from the truth.
The Qu’arn actually says that children should be fed until they are 2 (religious text in line with WHO guidelines!) which makes Muslim countries very pro-breastfeeding.
The mothers shall give suck to their children for two whole years for those who desire to complete the term of suckling
– Surat al-Barqarah, verse: 233
That one verse has made my breastfeeding journey out in Dubai nothing short of incredible. People look me in the eye and smile as I’m feeding. People go out of their way to ensure I have a seat. At soft play if the baby needs feeding the staff will keep an eye on the Toddler (and generally run him round and exhaust him, win-win).
Though all that said my personal preference is to feed in a coffee shop, mainly so I can indulge in a coffee and a cake, though having the Toddler with me means I generally feed in a soft play. I’m not sure what bad I’ve done in a previous life to make soft play such a predominant part of this one but I digress.
I choose to use a cover as I’m the least graceful person around and I’m likely to squirt you in the eye with milk otherwise. But you don’t have too. Plenty of ladies I know are not in possession of the ungraceful gene and discretely feed without a cover. There are even the ladies who I aspire to be who feed in their carriers as they go about their day. I need a lesson in this as I’ve not managed that successfully in nearly 3 years, please do leave any tips in the comments I use an Ergo if that makes any difference.
Breastfeeding is normal here. Breastfeeding is celebrated. Breastfeeding is just a matter of fact way of life. I love that there are no negative comments or sly glances. And it makes me sad that people experience these elsewhere in the world.
It makes me just as sad that people might be put off coming to Dubai because of unfounded fears on feeding, please don’t be! You won’t come across any negativity and if you don’t feel comfortable feeding in public? Well. We have some of the best, most comfortable feeding rooms going. None of your plastic chair in the loo scenarios here. Not Dubai.
Dubai – a breastfeeding heaven.
For more positive feeding in public experiences please hop on over to Another Bun where you can gain further entries into the grand prize draw. Full terms and conditions can be found on the Keeping Britain Breastfeeding website. UK residents only.
BUT for those of you in Dubai, I’ve teamed up with Regina of Babylu Breastfeeding Necklaces and we are offering you a chance to win a beautiful necklace as part of World Breastfeeding Week. Please head over to Facebook to like the photo on Life with Baby Kicks Facebook page to be in with a chance to win.
I have read about breastfeeding in Dubai before in a parenting magazine and also a few article in recent times and I wondered about the whole having to be discreet thing given the need for woman to dress appropriately! It was nice reading such a positive experience on a more personal level!
Author
It is definitely a need to be discreet but I think we all are anyway when feeding so in reality it doesn’t much change c
Informative article. A little judgemental of me but I had assumed that breastfeeding would be frowned upon in Dubai. It’s refreshing to hear that it is in fact encouraged. I’ve never been but always wanted to visit and it’s good to know that I don’t have to wait until my little boy is no longer breastfeeding
Author
Thanks for this Bernadette! That’s exactly why I wanted to let people know that it’s great feeding in Dubai. As long as you are modest (in all aspects) then no problem 🙂
Great to read, I had a wonderful breastfeeding experience with my oldest while living in the US, now I am expecting twins this October in Dubai and was hoping it would be a positive experience. Thanks.
Author
Ooh Suzie are you having the twins out here? There are loads of lovely twin groups xx
i feed in a Action Baby Carrier which is similar to an ergo. You need to loosen the shoulder straps slightly, then the waist strap. Wriggle baby down a bit. Pull your top up/down/open and repeat the strap adjustment process until you’ve lined baby up with a level that allows latch. ( I find I have to dig around and lift boob up a bit to encourage the latch.) Then when the wee one is feeding, tighten up shoulder straps a bit if desired and go about your hands free business. Voila!
Author
Thanks Krys, maybe that’s where I’m going wrong with not loosening the straps on the waist as well as the shoulder. Maybe I’m just uncoordinated!!
Oh yes, the waist strap adjustment is key – possibly even more than the shoulders.. And also practice doing this routine when the little one isn’t screaming for a feed or it all feels a bit frantic. I’m extremely uncoordinated so if I can do it, I’m sure you can too. 🙂
I had also thought breastfeeding in Dubai would be taboo so great to hear otherwise. Maybe I’ll visit one day!
Author
You should! I would recommend the winter rather than the summer though….
This is such an interesting read, I am not sure what I would have thought about breastfeeding in Dubai – but what a pleasant surprise to read this!
Author
A lot of people don’t realise which is a shame because it’s an amazing place to feed. You should see the feeding rooms…. I felt hard done to when I came back to the UK!
Lovely post, I’ve always wondered what public breastfeeding was like in other countries. I don’t think its as widely accepted from where I’m from originally(South Africa)
Author
That’s the second time today I’ve read that about South Africa, which is sad. I know a lot of people wonder about Dubai and I hope I help spread the positive message that it’s amazing to feed here!
Shame they aren’t accepting of foreign workers’ rights there too…
Great article, it has enlightened me. I quite like the fact that most babies are fed until 2 years old.
Author
Thanks Jodie x
Very interesting read- given me ideas on what kind of sling to buy ones that are useful when breastfeeding sound awesome x
Author
Great Carly! I need to watch a few videos as I’m so uncoordinated!
Interesting read
Author
Thanks Kim