Breastfeeding in public

[Babo]

So a bit of an odd one but very much want to have a go at breastfeeding for so many reasons, bonding, health of my baby and cost effectiveness! But there comes the problem of what happens when baby needs regular feeds and you want to go out?

I don't intend to be housebound for months on end but equally find it uncomfortable the thought of breastfeeding in public. Now I know that there are the shawl things etc, but is that really acceptable? Probably asking the wrong crowd but I'm very self conscious at the thought of it and also don't really want to upset other people. I guess I shouldn't care what people think and there's no way I'd let it sway my decision but equally don't want to be stuck with either going out for short bursts between feeds or drawing disapproving looks that to be fair would take all enjoyment out of taking my new baby out anyway.

 

[MomPepperdine]

This was hard for me with my first but its really something you just like have to do! With my first I didn't have one of those great shaw things! That would of been a lot better!

People will more likly avoid looking at you. lol

There's this add on tv were its a mom at a resterant with her first bf and she's in the corner trying to keep a blanket coving them ect then the necxt clip s her with baby 2 and she just has her shirt pulled down and baby attached lol

 

[stardust1976]

I think a big part depends on where you take your baby - over here most shopping centres and what not are all family friendly and you don't usually get too many disapproving looks. But if you take your baby out somewhere where there aren't as many families and more single people or professional couples for example, then you might draw some looks. But I still wouldn't let that take away from your enjoyment.

Using a shawl or something is perfectly acceptable - I personally never used a dedicated breastfeeding cover - mostly I didn't use anything and if people were offended then they could easily not look (you don't really see much anyway!), but if I was in a REALLY public place I would sometimes throw a cloth nappy or a muslin wrap over my shoulder for a bit of cover.

I say don't let other people's possible opinions sway you - you are feeding your child and very few people will actually say anything to you. You might get some looks but usually only if it's a really big child - a newborn baby rarely draws looks of disapproval. Good luck with it!

 

[77Tulips]

I think it's something you adjust to. I do tend to like to feed in parenting rooms if available, in many ways because it's a quiet space with comfy chairs and I find feeding time a time out for me, I sit back drink water, play games on my ph and snuggle my baby. If I'm in public I use a very light scarf, not a baby shawl just a normal light scarf, you can get some really pretty ones they are very light over baby and don't look like you are feeding baby. As they get older their feeds get less regular and I could normally time going out around feed & sleep times, this is good as as they get older they get more curious and do look around etc. Once again where I found parent rooms great. Not for other people but so baby would actually feed not snack and observe the world around.
Also the more people that feed in public the more others will be comfortable with it. It depends on you and your baby what works for you.

 

[brunette&bubs]

I hardly ever nursed in public because of the looks people gave me.

I had a nursing cover but DS hated not being able to see me when nursing.

You can buy nursing bras and nursing tops that make it more inconspicuous.
Next time I won't even care about the looks.

The annoying thing for me is it would take us time to get out the door and time to drive to the destination and if we were at a store it would be like, great now it's time to BF and there is nowhere to do it

 

[cantwaitforu]

Try taking some classes where you can meet other moms - like a yoga class - where it is a safe environment to bf in front of others. You will make friends and plan for dates outside of the yoga studio where you will find yourself and baby nursing in a large group. Perhaps that might be a good way to get used to it. Otherwise plan to go places that have family rooms so you can bf in private, or use your car.

 

[xdxxtx]

I always used my car, but that's for reasons I won't disclose here. I've never had a problem seeing someone breastfeed in public, neither does my partner, and neither will my children. Thing is, if we all raise our kids to be more tolerant and not to consider the breast a "sexual" thing when it's used to feed a baby (Not talking "Girls Gone Wild" here!!!) then the issue with dirty looks will decrease over the years. I hope someday breastfeeding is just as "normal" and "natural" as it's meant to be.

 

[CatherineK]

I've fed my children pretty much anywhere- and will with this one. And when doing so, I don't cover my child's head. Yet still, I show less than most women I see walking around with low cut shirts. I love the freedom of talking my family anywhere without having to worry about bottles/ or running to the car/etc. I can nurse with baby in a sling and no one ever even notices, other than other nursing moms.

 

[hokiemom]

I didn't find it to be that big of a deal with my first. If I was shopping at the mall, I could use a dressing room or the nursing room that they have at our malls. If we were out and about going to different stores, I would just feed him in the car in between trips. The most public place I nursed was probably our community pool. It was super easy as I was already in my bathing suit and wearing less than normal. If I can do it in front of my neighbors then you can do it anywhere too

 

[jenniferttc1]

It's no big deal, you get use to it. Who cares what people think, anyone that takes something natural (after all breast are meant for nursing, not fun bags!!!!!) has serious problems IMO. Hold your head up proud, and nurse your baby when ever, where ever.
And covering......that doesn't work for a lot of babies. I drew more attention with a cover cause they knew what I was doing, and I had a baby fighting it and pulling it off to look around. Not sure where you are, but where I live in the US it's illegal to stop a mother from feeding.

 

[bassdesire]

I nursed my two year old on a plane! No one cares at all. Just be discrete it is just a boob. You will so get over that! I exclusively nursed anywhere and everywhere!!

 

[9jawife]

Personally, I'm not too worried about it. Yeah, it might be uncomfortable in some situations, but hey, my baby has to eat! I can totally see myself making some snark comment/telling someone off if it got to that point. I understand that people may not want to see a bare breast in public, but gee, cut us some slack! We're trying to do the best thing for our babies! I would try to cover up with a shawl or something, but I've heard that some babies do not like to be covered. So if my boob makes an appearance, I'm not gonna make a big deal out of it.

 

[iwantabub]

I am breat feeding... I feel like over here theres very few circumstances u need to bf in public at all(obviously a plane etc is different)... all the shops here have parenting rooms... at family and friends will get over it and wont care anyway. .as I will be discreet and use a blanket if it comes to it.

Pretty much everywhere where I live have parenting rooms...
I personally dont have a problem with people bfing in public but I personally dont feel like I want to change anything about myself just coz I have children. ..
Woukd I get my boobs out in a public place before this? No
So why should I do it now?
I feel like each to their own and I dont judge anyone else but personally feel like women can sometimes lose their personality and self care (did write dignity but totallt wrong word)after having children...
Not wearing make up.not doing hair nice. Not dressing nice and only dressing for comfort. Etc etc..axtually had one friend tell me once that many people have seen her vagina at once she doesnt care what people think anymore... as I said I dont want anything to change about mw as a person... so I am gonna make an effort to do make up and hair beofre leaving the house
Dress nice .. look my perky usual self and along with that as I said I nevr got my boobs out in public before and I dont plan to then either

 

[twinmummy06]

When I first began feeding in public I tried using a blanket and cover to feed with, but I found them more hassle than anything. Trying to latch a floppy newborn and keep the cover in place was fruitless. In the end I just gave up and didn't use them. After some practice it's relatively quick, easy and possible to latch with out flashing the world. I wear either a singlet or boobtube under my top, lift one up and one down to make a little gap to slip out my nipple and latch her on. I also have HUGE boobies so I never expected to be able to do it without flashing a lot of skin, but it's possible. No-ones ever said anything to me when NIP.

 

[Annie77]

When I was pregnant with my first I told my dad I wouldn't be comfortable feeding baby in front of him and he was pretty offended (my mum fed 4 of us) buying really thoughtid get too embarrassed.
When it actually came round to it, I just announced I was going to feed and every male and most females looked elsewhere til latched on.
I prefer to lift clothing to feed as opposed to unbuttoning a top & exposing top half of breast but have got thin muslin sheets to cover if I should need to. When I go to a restaurant etc I just inform the waiter etc I am intending tk feed and could I possibly get a seat in a corner or booth etc. they are all very accommodating. There are also lots of feeding rooms in malls etc.

 

[greenlady]

When I first began feeding in public I tried using a blanket and cover to feed with, but I found them more hassle than anything. Trying to latch a floppy newborn and keep the cover in place was fruitless. In the end I just gave up and didn't use them. After some practice it's relatively quick, easy and possibly to latch with out flashing the world. I wear rather a singlet or boobtube under my top, lift one up and one down to make a little gap to slip out my nipple and latch her on. I also have HUGE boobies so I never expected to be able to do it without flashing a lot of skin, but it's possible. No-ones ever said anything to me when NIP.

Exactly this. Tried to be discreet with my first by using a muslin, it was so fiddly and annoying I didn't use it long. I also have large boobs and the one top up, the other down is the best way to feed and you see barely any skin. You just have to see what you are comfortable with, you will probably find that you will care less and less as the weeks go on, because life carries on and baby still needs to be fed. Parenting rooms are useful but I found some of them stank of baby poo and were a bit gross (this was in London I imagine there are some nice ones of course). Its definitely more comfortable at home so I would try to feed baby just before leaving the house usually.

 

[Anderson8]

I thought I would be uneasy feeding in public but when your baby arrives and they're hungry you won't care where you are. I fed on seats in the middle of shopping centres, family fun parks, planes, anywhere. I've also got huge H cup boobs so if I can get them out discreetly, anyone can.

 

[sue_88]

I am going to purchase a cover but I really see no problem with breast feeding in public. I'll just be getting on and doing it!!

 

[alicecooper]

I've always breastfed in public. As discreetly as possibly mind you, but I do what I gotta do. Breastfeeding is a natural thing. If other people take objection to it, that's not your problem.

 

[CatherineK]

For those that say they prefer breastfeeding room, just remember those are not so much an option when you have other kids, as they'd br bored out of their mind. Besides, I enjoy being out, and do not enjoy having to stit in a boring room every time my baby is hungry! My moto is, if you can bottle feed here ican breastfeed here. My state legally protects my right to BF anywhere.