New mum braced herself to defend breastfeeding on a public bench as a stranger approached — then heard the last thing she expected
Some moments in motherhood stay with you long after they happen. A new mum was feeding her five‑month‑old son on a public bench outside a local pub, keeping an eye on her toddler and husband nearby, when an older woman approached. Expecting a negative reaction, she braced herself for criticism, but what she heard was completely unexpected and left her feeling delighted. Her story later connected with others online when she shared it on Reddit on June 2, 2025, under the username u/Ataralas.
In her post, the mum explained the situation. “I was feeding my baby boy on Friday on a public bench outside a local pub while my husband and toddler played nearby,” she wrote. An older lady started to walk toward her, and the mum prepared herself for a confrontation. “I was gearing myself up to defend myself,” she admitted, “but bless her, she was so sweet.” The woman approached and complimented her for choice to breastfeed her child, which is "beautiful" but rare these days, and also praised her other kid. “She told me my baby is gorgeous and my little girl too, and smiled and left,” the mother said. The interaction left her feeling touched and surprised. She explained that in the UK, only about one per cent of babies are still breastfed at six months, making such public moments uncommon.
Breastfeeding has declined in part due to limited support for new mothers, workplace pressures, and cultural attitudes that make feeding in public feel uncomfortable. As reported by the Healthy Policy Partnership, breastfeeding rates vary widely across the globe, and the UK is among the countries with the lowest numbers, with fewer than one per cent of infants still breastfed at one year. Many women want to breastfeed but face challenges early on, and about 8 out of 10 stop sooner than they had planned. Cultural, societal, and psychological factors all play a role, along with limited access to public services, insufficient maternity support at work, and aggressive marketing of breast milk substitutes.
Breastfeeding is undoubtedly challenging, and many new mums often feel drained, yet a small act of kindness can provide unexpected encouragement. In another similar incident, a warm gesture was noticed when Isabelle Ames was feeding her baby at a cafe in Gilbert, Arizona. Juggling her active 10-month-old and trying to sip her coffee, she was already exhausted from weeks of illness and sleepless nights. When her daughter was hungry, Ames quietly began breastfeeding, feeling the strain of recent struggles with latch issues and nights spent frustrated. Just then, a waitress named Erica approached, handing her a free pancake with a small note that read, “Thank you for breastfeeding here! Much love and respect!' She also personally came to Ames and expressed how "Us mommas gotta look out for each other.” Overwhelmed, Ames cried and hugged the waitress. She shared later that the gesture meant more than the food; it was a recognition of the hard work, fear, and pressure she often felt while feeding in public.
More on Amplify
New mom told by mother-in-law not to breastfeed in her own house—her response left MIL baffled