Nursesarena Forum

 Louise Burns,
 feeding her 12-week-old baby with a large napkin draped over them
In reference to Mr Farage's comments, she
said: "Not everyone agrees. I'm not
bothered what people think. We're here to
encourage women to breastfeed,
regardless."
Emma Bullock, 25, who had helped
organise the peaceful protest, arrived at
the demo with her 11-month-old daughter
Eleanor.
She said: "Breastfeeding is normal and
natural. I might not like it if someone
chews with their mouth open, but I won't
object.
"The thing is, Lou Burns was being discreet
and then they put that huge tent over her
to cover her up, which made it very
obvious.
"We want Claridge's to issue an apology
and change their policy on breastfeeding,
but they have done nothing yet."
Rachel Waller, 40, who was there with
four-month-old Finch, said Mr Farage's
comments were the reason why his party
was unpopular in educated, metropolitan
areas.
She said: "Women are advised to
breastfeed for two years by the World
Health Organisation, six months
exclusively.
"Should women hide in the closet or cover
themselves up for six months?
"I would refuse to wear the napkin if this
happened to me."
Clare Mariscal, 36, carried a banner which
read: "That's what breasts are for, stupid".
She said: "I think Farage should be made
to eat in the toilet after what he has said.
"No-one has any problem with breasts
when they're displayed in a dress. Boobs
are everywhere - people only object when
they are used for their normal and natural
purpose."
Passers-by were supportive, with one man,
who did not want to be named, clapping as
he walked past.
He said: "Breastfeeding is normal and
natural, people are too offended these
days."
However, Lindsay Jardine, 35, said
Claridge's had been perfectly right to tell
Mrs Burns to cover up.
She said: "If I was eating there I wouldn't
want to see someone feeding their baby in
front of me. And it's cruel for the babies,
being out in such weather."
Mrs Burns was left shocked and humiliated
after she was presented with a large
starched napkin in order to avoid "causing
offence" to other guests when she tried to
feed her three-month-old daughter Isadora
on Monday.
She burst into tears and immediately
wanted to leave but her mother and sister,
who had been planning the get-together
for three months, coaxed her into staying.
Pressed on whether it would be right for a
hotel to ask mothers to use the "ladies'
room" to feed, Mr Farage yesterday said:
"Or perhaps sit in the corner, or whatever
it might be. That is up to Claridge's."
He insisted it was "not too difficult" to
feed a child in a way that was "not openly
ostentatious".
The Ukip leader later denied he had any
problems with women breastfeeding, but
said it was up to Claridge's to maintain a
policy that would avoid offence to guests
who did not like the sight of a woman
feeding her child.
Downing Street left no doubt that David
Cameron disagreed with Mr Farage's
comments, saying that it was "totally
unacceptable" for mothers to be made to
feel uncomfortable when feeding their
babies in public.
A Number 10 spokeswoman said: "It's for
Mr Farage to explain his views.
"The Prime Minister shares the view of the
NHS, which is that breastfeeding is
completely natural and it's totally
unacceptable for any women to be made to
feel uncomfortable when breastfeeding in
public."