Since the story of the opposition Nikki Davis faced over breastfeeding in public broke over the weekend, many people have given her their backing in an outpouring of support on the East Anglian Daily Times and Ipswich Star Facebook groups.

East Anglian Daily Times: Nikki Davis and baby Dulcie. Nikki, from Essex,has stuck up for all breastfeeding mums after her and her friends were criticised in a cafe for breastfeeding Picture: TOM DAVISNikki Davis and baby Dulcie. Nikki, from Essex,has stuck up for all breastfeeding mums after her and her friends were criticised in a cafe for breastfeeding Picture: TOM DAVIS (Image: Unknown)

While some offered support for Mrs Davis others were keen to pick holes in the “taboo” around breastfeeding.

Andrew Turp said: “Why are people getting niggled over something that has been going on for thousands of years?

“It’s human nature, it’s part of growing up, if you don’t like it, don’t look.”

Linda Newson said: “What an awful woman (who made the criticism), I couldn’t breastfeed either of mine and I love to see other people do it, it’s so natural, keep going.”

East Anglian Daily Times: Public health director Abdul Razaq Picture:SARAH LUCY BROWNPublic health director Abdul Razaq Picture:SARAH LUCY BROWN

Wendy McKee said: “It baffles me. We berate women when they don’t breastfeed and then when they do we tell them they can’t do it.

“Women never win. I have no words.”

Some, like Julie Hoy were keen to berate the mystery complainant about her attitudes towards public breastfeeding and her comments.

She said: “Totally unfair to the poor mother and baby.

“The customer should be ashamed.”

Shirely Perkins added: “Absolutely disgusting attitude. Maybe people need to learn to keep their opinions to themselves.

“It wouldn’t have been an issue if baby was being fed from a bottle no doubt, so what makes this any different?”

Hannah Pratchett said: “I would have told her to go eat her tea cake in the toilet!

“If she is willing to let a baby eat in the toilet then that must mean she is willing to eat in the toilet as well.”

This incident comes after Public Health Suffolk launched a campaign earlier this year as part of its ambition for Suffolk to be a breastfeeding-friendly county working with businesses who would be given the opportunity to register as ‘breastfeeding friendly’ to help mums needing to feed their babies while out and about.

Latest figures show 47% of Suffolk mums were still breastfeeding at their six to eight week check while 35% of mothers had stopped by this point.

Abdul Razaq, director for Public Health and Protection, said: “Our vision is for Suffolk to be a breastfeeding-friendly county, where mothers can feed their babies in public without feeling uncomfortable or unwelcome.”