Breastfeeding week starts today till August 7. Here in Dubai though we celebrate it in November because the country observes Ramadan this month.
LittleMiss turned 13 months and still breastfeeding. I weaned V from the breast weeks before he turned 2 years old, this time though I have no plans of weaning her by that age.
I would like to thank my MIL for staying with us when I gave birth and for my husband C for the support and always cheering that we can do it.
Thank you also to Breastfeeding Q&A UAE Group for the listening, advise and stories that accompanied me on the wee hours while I feed my baby.
You are sitting in a cafe enjoying a cup of coffee when suddenly you overheard someone asking a mother to breastfeed her child somewhere else because that person thinks its inappropriate and disgusting.
What would you do?
Sian from our UAE breastfeeding group posted the following videos conducted by abcnews.com on how customers in a cafe reacted to the situation.
Breastfeeding an infant in public.
Breastfeeding a toddler in public.
I am very happy that UAE is a breastfeeding friendly country. I have breastfed Vierte when he was a toddler and now Chloe who is 11 months, in public with and without a cover and I haven't had a bad experience.
Some malls and establishments here have dedicated baby rooms where a mom can breastfeed her baby.
On the Breastfeeding Q&A UAE Facebook group, the most common question asked for new expat families is whether they can breastfeed in public.
Here's an excerpt from Sian's article on breastfeeding in public.
The great news is that both Islam and UAE society are in favor of breastfeeding (the Qur’an in fact teaches that babies have the right to breastfeed for two years), and it is common for mums and babies to breastfeed in public places wherever you are in the country. The Ministry of Health has publicly affirmed the right of a mother to feed her child wherever she is without being hassled, and the Department of Islamic Affairs confirms that this is perfectly acceptable, as long as the mother remains appropriately covered and follows normal dress etiquette if men are present -
I'm breast feeding Chloe full time and while I don't really mind feeding her anywhere it would be nice to know that lactation rooms are available for Mama's to use when inside a mall.
On a recent trip to Mirdiff City Centre (MCC) I discovered a comfortable room located on the south food court for Mom & Kids to use.
Once you get inside the ladies room you will see a Mama & Baby sign press on the button to open the door you will find a spacious room, an advantage for Mom's with strollers.
Inside they have 2 changing area, play area for your toddlers.
3 rooms which opens when you press the button.
I only got to check 2 rooms one of which is a changing and feeding room.
the other room provides a Mom & Baby toilet seat as well as sink.
Also available in the room are bottle heaters and microwave oven.
a big THANK YOU to MCC for providing us Mom's a special room to go about our important business.
