BF'ers - Getting Out and About

[Jemima]

Do any of my fellow BF'ing mummies find it difficult planning and executing trips out, even short ones?

I thought it would be a lot easier to get out and about as a breast feeder but I don't think it is. I find that I am having to make sure she is fed just before we leave for anywhere and then I have to think about finding somewhere to feed her when we get to our destination, or rushing back home before she needs feeding.

We haven't quite mastered the art of feeding discretely and peacefully yet as she is still struggling with my flow and this makes her cough, splutter and cry during feeds sometimes so this could be part of the problem.

Don't get me wrong, I am more than happy to breast feed Poppy and I have no second thoughts about my decision to do so, I'm just hoping it will get easier as time goes on.

Anyone got any tips?

 

[Laura1984]

hi hun,
i think i feel the same with having to do it before and whilst we're out. but i tend to feed Ruby when she wakes up, change her nappy, dress her for the day and feed her again. leave her to sleep whilst i get ready. then when i move her to put on her coat/snowsuit and put her in the pram/carseat i top her up then and as long as she is in the pram/carseat moving she tends to stay asleep for about 4 hours. i'm ok with feeding her whilst i'm out but only if i'm with someone (anyone) i couldnt sit and feed her on my own xx

 

[Mervs Mum]

I did feel like this but I'm getting more confident now. Like Ruby, once she's in the car or pram she will sleep loads longer. Infact I was pissed off this aft coz OH's mate came round to see her and he's always late so I'd told them to come as early as poss so we could go out at about 1pm. They were still here at 2.30 and I really wanted to get out and about coz I knew she'd have a good afternoon sleep. She ended up over tired and we didnt get to go anywhere - not happy!!
I've got loads better at feeding when were out - I bought a nice poncho to do it under Last saturday I even fed her (under the poncho) in Sainsbury's cafe!! I must look a bit of a sight coz I have to sort of duck down under with it over my head to get her latched on right
When I've can I do tend to book appointments etc for the afternoon so I have more time to get organised but sometimes you just have to go for it or like you, I'd feel restricted.
You'll get better at it hun x

 

[Samantha675]

bren and I have always had a pretty easy time of feeding. I don't have a crazy flow, so I don't have those issues. Plus, I am happy to whip out a boob anywhere. The problem I am now facing is that Bren wants to look around at every sound he hears.

 

[Jemima]

Yes, you're all right.

Laura, I'm the same as you. I find it much easier when I have someone with me. Must be to do with detracting attention from ourselves and having someone there to difuse the situation. You're lucky that she'll sleep for four hours, wow!

Lisa, I think I need to be a bit more free about the feeding and lose my inhibitions slightly. LMAO at the poncho in Sainsbury's!

Samantha, I'm sure my flow issues will even out over time and that will obviously make things much less tricky for us.

On a lighter note, she slept for 4 hours solid last night. Major breakthrough as up until now, the most she has slept has been 2 and a half hours. Woohooooo!

 

[Mervs Mum]

Yes, you're all right.

Laura, I'm the same as you. I find it much easier when I have someone with me. Must be to do with detracting attention from ourselves and having someone there to difuse the situation. You're lucky that she'll sleep for four hours, wow!

Lisa, I think I need to be a bit more free about the feeding and lose my inhibitions slightly. LMAO at the poncho in Sainsbury's!

Samantha, I'm sure my flow issues will even out over time and that will obviously make things much less tricky for us.

On a lighter note, she slept for 4 hours solid last night. Major breakthrough as up until now, the most she has slept has been 2 and a half hours. Woohooooo!

Fab news about last night hun!!

Dont get me wrong Jemima, I'm not a 'whop your boob out' kinda gal and I look for the table in the corner or the sofa seats etc and I think to myself 'which boob?' so I can position myself best. I am pretty confident that no one has ever seen my nips in public!! I think you'd be suprised how many people just dont notice what you're doing!! Before I had the poncho, I had a pashmina in my change bag (its still there actually) and I used that.
My thing is this - I am a social 'out and about' kinda gal (!) and so this HAS to work or I think I'd end up losing it.

x

 

[AC81]

Erin is only just over 2 weeks old and we've only had a few short trips out of the house so far. I've not had to feed her yet while we've been out - I top her up before we leave then she usually sleeps til we're home, but I know it's coming that I'll have to feed her while we're out and about soon.

 

[Samantha675]

Erin is only just over 2 weeks old and we've only had a few short trips out of the house so far. I've not had to feed her yet while we've been out - I top her up before we leave then she usually sleeps til we're home, but I know it's coming that I'll have to feed her while we're out and about soon.

It took me a while to work up to nursing in public. The first time we were out and Bren go hungry, was woofed our food down and left. I just couldn't work up the nerve. It does get easier as time goes by.

 

[emma_27]

With my first Benn i used to change him feed him put him in the car seat and go and be as quick as i could or i would go back to my car i didnt leave the house for ages. This time round ive fed in public once in the wacky warehouse i had a muslin with me so i tucked it under my bra and covered her head so noone could see. Im just not confident enough im silly ive not been going to my groups cus i dont want to have to feed there which is silly really as there is 3 other feeding moms there. Ellie doesnt sleep as long in her car seat like Benn did which is making it really difficult to go out anywhere. I will keep trying though im hoping it will get easier.

 

[Totally Mommy]

Personally I don't care what people think about when I breastfeed in public...I get out anywhere I need to go because I'm not caring who sees me breastfeed and what they think...My baby shouldn't need to hide to eat and they shouldn't have to eat with a blanket over their head because it's not normal for us to do it why should they???...But again that's just my personal opinion on it and I'm not one to hide in the house because the baby needs fresh air too

 

[marley2580]

Strangely enough I've never had a problem with feeding Kaya in public. But now that she's a toddler I find myself embarrassed about feeding her lol

 

[clairebear]

i have never had a problem feeding jack out and about. but im much more confident now and its so much easier to latch him on. i think i have fed everywhere from park benches to cafes x

 

[Lucy&Pard]

I not too confident yet at breastfeeding and Leo sometimes just starts messing around Although I havent been somewhere for the day where I havent been at someones house but I wouldnt mind b/feeding in public but I would cover up with a muslin.

 

[greenkat]

I haven't breast fed in public yet - I'm not embarrassed to be feeding her, just I don't want my breast on show and she always has to unlatch a bit as they always end up squirting, lol. I wouldn't want to with alot of people round either and nearly everywhere's busy in London. - I just express and feed her that way.

 

[Heather.78]

sounds like you have overactive let down hun I had this problem what ya do is wait for let down then unlatch her caqtch the flow of milk in a cloth then latch her on again its worked wonders for us, as for going out mothercare is amazing for feeding but also I use the car not to keen on getting them out on the street though take care