A BBC radio DJ who said breastfeeding in public was “unnatural” and “must be stopped” is to be investigated by media regulator Ofcom.



Radio Solent presenter Alex Dyke was briefly suspended by the BBC after saying during a phone-in show that only “librarian-type, moustachioed” women breastfed in public and men who were not repelled by breastfeeding were “wimps”.



More than 6,000 people signed an online petition calling for Dyke to be taken off air and 32 people complained to Ofcom.



The BBC said last month the DJ had “been told in no uncertain terms that his comments were unacceptable, and he has apologised for any offence caused on and off air”.



Ofcom announced on Monday it was going to investigate the comments during Dyke’s morning show on 12 August, prompting hundreds of complaints on social media and among parenting groups.



An spokesperson for the media watchdog said: “Ofcom is investigating whether the potential for offence caused by the presenter’s comments about breastfeeding were justified by the context.”



Defending his comments during the phone-in show, which is broadcast to parts of Hampshire and Dorset, Dyke said: “My point was fat chavvy mums with their boobs out on buses isn’t a good look. A classy discreet mum is absolutely fine.



“It was okay in the stone age when we knew no better, when people didn’t have their own teeth … but now I just think a public area is not the place for it and fellas don’t like it.”



Dyke added that “yummie mummies” wouldn’t feed their children in public because they “know it is not a good look” and “formula milk is just as good”. Offical NHS guidance recommends breastfeeding for a child’s first six months and says it is the healthiest way to feed a baby.

The online petition, which now appears to have been taken down, stated: “There is already a stigma around breastfeeding, and we don’t need ill-educated misogynists like Alex Dyke to make it even more apparent.

“In fact, he was right. We’re not in the stone age anymore – we’re in the 21st century. Breastfeeding is completely natural, and people must remember that breasts are for feeding – not for men.”



Speaking at the time of the broadcast, Rosemary Dodds, senior policy adviser at the National Childbirth Trust, said: “We’re disappointed about these outdated, ridiculous and potentially damaging comments. No mother should ever be made to feel guilty, judged or ashamed about feeding their baby, whether by breast or bottle.



“Mums feel under enough pressure already about their feeding decisions and they should be fully supported and certainly not looked down on or criticised for simply feeding their child in whichever way they want, in public or in private.”

The BBC suspended the presenter before announcing he would be returning to work the following week.

Dyke issued an apology the day after the broadcast. “Yesterday on the show I spoke about breastfeeding,” he said. “The comments I made during the broadcast were unacceptable and I would like to apologise for any offence caused.”

A BBC spokesperson said: “After some time off air, and following serious consideration Alex Dyke returned to BBC Radio Solent last month.

“Alex was told in no uncertain terms that his comments were unacceptable, and he has apologised for any offence caused on and off air.”