YES - Lee Upcraft, UKIP Prospective Parliamentary candidate for Wantage

I have two children, aged six and two years old. Both were breastfed. I have seen first-hand the dedication, devotion, perseverance, pain, frustration, and love exhibited by a mother in the pursuit of that most intimate part of caring for a new born human being.

I accept the well proven facts that “breast is best’’, whilst from experience I will not criticise any mother who has tried to breastfeed and for whatever reason decided that the wellbeing of her child and of herself is better served by the bottle.

As a man, a husband, and a father, the act of breastfeeding fills me with wonder, curiosity, and occasionally a little terror.

I fully support the right of women to breastfeed their infants in public. Nigel Farage, a father-of-four, has said that he too supports the same thing.

Our children are to be cherished and they are to be nurtured – they are our future, but they are not the only people in society. We are surrounded by people with many opinions and sensitivities.

For some, the public act of breast-feeding is uncomfortably embarrassing. You could argue that this is their problem, but the essence of a polite and considerate society is that we show respect for the feelings of others.

This does not mean breastfeeding in the toilet – but it may mean finding a part of the establishment with a degree of privacy that helps both mother and child, and also helps other people.

I know that an armchair with lots of cushions is much appreciated.

The fact that a comfortable environment for the mother also benefits those with more traditional attitudes towards the public display of women’s breasts should not automatically be seen as a bad thing.

Today’s society has moved on from the days of prudish Victorian attitudes, but there are still many people deeply uncomfortable with having no choice but to be inadvertent observers in other people’s intimate acts, and breastfeeding is certainly intimate.

The vast majority of mothers are polite and sympathetic to people around them when it comes to the needs of their children and we should do all we can to support them. I will do all I can to support them.

An unfortunate minority are less considerate. Is it really so outrageous to ask a very small number of “ostentatious” women to be mindful of other people?

NO - Tanisha Splawska, mum to one-year-old Olivia and a member of South Oxfordshire breastfeeding support group

Breastfeeding is beneficial to both mother and baby. Breast milk is the only natural food designed for your baby. It protects your baby for infections and diseases. It’s always available and it’s free.

Breast milk is already at the right temperature. It builds a strong physical and emotional bond between the mother and baby.

Any amount of breastfeeding has a positive effect and the longer you breastfeed, the longer the protection lasts and the greater the benefits. Infant formula does not provide the same protection and breast milk adapts as your baby grows to meet their changing needs.

It should be possible to breastfeed in public as it’s the most natural thing in the world.

If a baby needs a feed why shouldn’t the mother feed her baby? What’s more distressing, a mother feeding her baby in public or a baby screaming because they haven’t been fed? We as adults eat when we are hungry so what makes it any different for a baby to eat when they are hungry?

If breastfeeding in public makes people feel uncomfortable they either haven’t had children or don’t understand the benefits of breastfeeding.

If someone were to walk into a restaurant and order food they would be able to sit at a table and eat. Why should it be any different for babies who are breastfed not to be able to do the same thing?

Why do people feel the need to banish mothers and their babies to the toilets or be asked to leave?

A baby needs to be fed just like everybody else so why should they sit at the table with their mothers?

Personally I feel those who have a problem with breastfeeding need to learn a bit more about it and stop being so judgemental.

It makes mothers feel awful and it’s totally ridiculous. Breastfeeding is not sexual at all. It is a part of life and the most healthy way for a baby to grow. There are a lot of nutrients – much more than in formula milk – and people have been doing it for thousands of years.

Why stop now? Breasts are not just a sex toy for men or women to have fun with, they have a mechanical purpose.The human body is a miraculous thing and why else would women produce milk if not to feed their babies?

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