They still don't get it

No. That was some other UKIP member (though I think he may be an ex-member now).

Nigel Farage –hmm. Isn't he the man who said that women should spend more time cleaning behind the fridge?

Were breastsmade for page 3? (a big difference, perhaps- what are breasts for?).

Can't stand Farage, and very probreastfeeding- but his comments are blown out of proportion. Makes sense to me that BF mums can sit 'in a discreet' corner when BFeeding- not to hide, but out of courtesy. I do object strongly to mums having to sit in WCs to BF though.

I wonder why there is such confusion and controversy about the female breast.

Okay to expose it to feed an infant, not okay walking down the High Street or on page 3.

As the owner of a pair, I sometimes wonder what all the fuss is about.

Well, personally I wouldn't go into Claridges on principle but of course mothers should be able to breastfeed their babies where they need to. Why are we so prudish in this country?

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2861994/Put-baby-corner-Farage-tells-mothers-not-openly-ostentatious-breastfeeding-babies.html

Here it is.

Is there a link?

And three guesses who has come out in defence of Claridges?

Yes, it's that well known joke, Nigel Farage.

In law, there is no upper age limit, petallus. Anywhere the mother and her child are permitted to be - in this case, the restaurant - breastfeeding is protected.

So few mothers breastfeed beyond toddlerhood, I don't think the issue of whether or not to 'ban' it in older children in public places is ever likely to arise.

The ironic thing is that the two photos showed very clearly that the act of breastfeeding was far more explict with the napkin over the baby! So anyone objecting to breastfeeding would be unlikely to have noticed.

Many other cultures - including those with severe expectations of dress and behaviour - have no problem with breastfeeding in a public place. Which cultures were you thinking of?

Should there be an age limit for the child I wonder? Some breastfeed until the child is several years old.

Of course, most people in our culture would not be offended by breastfeeding in a restaurant. I wonder if Claridge's were concerned about other wealthy visitors who might be.

Actually, Claridge's don't object to breastfeeding anyway, I remind myself.

The pictures in the papers were taken on a camera phone by the mother's companions, at the time....no reconstruction. She did not contact the media - they contacted her, after she tweeted about this ridiculous policy. I doubt very much she got any money for the stories in the papers.

A breastfeeding baby is eating. That's all. Just like anyone else needs to eat No need for comfy rooms or chairs or special corners of a restaurant - though if they are there on offer for mothers who prefer not to risk criticism from bad-mannered others, then that's fine.

In 1918 my grandmother breastfed my mother in a railway carriage in the presence of a man who was a complete stranger. Afterwards he complimented her on how discreetly she had done it. He was also probably very glad that he would not have to spend the whole journey listening to a screaming baby! It begins to look as if we are going backwards rather than progressing.

Not having had children I have never encountered this problem personally but given the choice, I would rather a mother fed her baby than have the child screaming the place down!

I so agree with that. Even bloody Pizza Hut add 12% without a by your leave.

Never mind the breastfeeding – I have no time for Claridges. I really dislike having tea somewhere and then finding a 12.5% service charge has been added to my bill. If the service was good, I'll tip the person who provided that service. If the service wasn't, I see no reason to enrich the owning consortium any further when I've already paid well and truly for my sandwich, cake and cuppa. There are hotels in London – or at least there used to be – that don't do this.

That's true Soutra although when has having plenty of money stopped people from wanting more?

I've just noticed there's a smaller article in The Times as well.

Why on earth assume people are only ever interested in "the money"? If she has tea in Claridges every year as a treat for her mum and other family members maybe she doesn't need it.

It doesn't seem like the sort of story that a newspaper would bother to pay for. Not all newspapers stories – even in the tabloids – are bought.

Probably just pleased so many people have come out on her side. (she doesn't look the sort to be thrown easily)

There is a half page report in today's Daily Mail, complete with pics of and interview with the woman concerned. She may have felt humiliated but she is beaming happily away in the pics.

I wonder if she was paid for her story.

Saw a little hat on twitter knitted to look like a breast in cream and pink. The baby was wearing it whilst being breast fed. There was a suitable comment accompanying it but I can't remember what it was! But I thought it rather amusing. I was going to say tongue in cheek but perhaps that should be nipple.......

I was stuck on a train once with DD in the days of compartments, and she started crying to be fed. I said to the other passengers (all strangers) that I was sorry if they minded, but that I was going to feed her, and they all said that that was fine with them and they didn't want the poor wee soul to go hungry. The men present all turned away politely as I fixed her on, and then when she disappeared under my jumper, we all started talking again as before. Apart from anything else, it saved everyone from having to put up with a howling baby.

I breastfed my new baby in Harrods 30 years ago and they didn't turn a hair. It never entered my head that anyone would. I had been given money at her birth and wanted to buy her a beautiful christening gown and other bits and pieces, and took my sister-in-law. She woke as I was having lunch and I fed her, I didn't want my lunch to get cold.

I breastfed her in pubs, restaurants, National Trust cafes and no-one ever turned a hair. The only person who upset me was an older sister-in-law who suggested that I go upstairs. I had no idea what she was talking about. My mother didn't warn me that I might meet with prejudice, I always assumed that everyone just got on with it, so I did. I always wore fairly concealing clothing but that was more to do with the fact that she was born in January!

I don't get it, half the population has breasts (and some of the other half !).

What is more natural that feeding a baby. Someone mentioned teenage boys, well consider what they are probably looking at on line (I would have if there was an online when I was a teenager) they should be able to cope easily enough, and if they can't, the sooner they get over it the better.

Sorry Soutra of course discreet