Breastfeeding in public?

[heather91]

I plan to breastfeed and was just wondering if any of you breastfeed in public if you need to, ie a coffee shop if you were out shopping or something. I'm worried about it really because I like to be out and about a lot and I've read that expressing and using a bottle can confuse the baby especially if they're just learning to breastfeed in the first few weeks (correct me if Im wrong)

Can anyone shed any light?! Thanks x

 

[Jemima]

Yes, it can be tricky but there are lots of covers available to buy that allow you to remain discreet.

I think it's just practice really. I still find it quite difficult and normally prefer to find a feeding area or baby changing area to feed Poppy but I have always had problems with her squirming about which doesn't help!

I think it's recommended to wait for around 6 weeks before introducing bottles to avoid confusion but all babies are different and some are fine switching between breast and bottle from day one. However, I would advise you not to leave it too lond (like I have!) as you may struggle to get them to take a bottle at all.

 

[hannahx]

Jake always wakes up for a feed when im shopping! I feed him before we go but he is typical male and hates shopping already!!
I usually go for a drink somewhere just so i can sit comfortably and feed him or on a few occasions have used a changing room. If you cover bubs with a blanket you cant see anything...Jake gives the game away though cos one minute he's screamin the place down and the next he is quiet as a mouse and you can just see his little hand stroking my face!!

 

[sparkswillfly]

Do anyone of you ever get funny looks or comments?

 

[heather91]

Aww thats really cute. Bless. So if I'm discreet, breastfeeding in pblic shouldn't be a problem? x

 

[heather91]

That's a good question sparkswillfly. I was a bit worried about that. x

 

[hannahx]

You may get a few people that notice what your doing but you arent doing anything wrong so what can they say. Nobody has ever made any negative comments but i have had a few people come over nd telling me its such a wonderful thing that i'm doing and that not enough people do it these days!!
Just dont worry about what other people think hun because if your not relaxed then bubs might not feed easily. If your discreet then you have nothing to worry about

 

[Elli21]

If u do get funny looks, ignore them or tell them to fuck off.

 

[hannahx]

If u do get funny looks, ignore them or tell them to fuck off.

my thoughts exactly!!

 

[heather91]

Maybe I will! It's their problem not mine, afterall. x

 

[sam's mum]

I feed Sam in public when I need to - most of the time I don't think people even know that I'm feeding him, and I don't think anyone has ever seen anything (I never thought I'd feed in public and at first I used to take bottles with me, but now I don't care what other people think anyway).

I have one of these though - I love it! x

https://www.pamperedtot.com/shopimages/products/thumbnails/retro%20brown%20nursing%20cover.jpg

 

[Samantha675]

I nurse Brennan when ever, where ever I need to. It does take practice and just building up the nerve. I totally bolted for the car the first time I was out in public when Brennan got hungry. But not it is no big deal. Most of the time I wear a tank top under my shirts, So I pull the top shirt up and the tank down, and it creates the perfect screen. Most people can't even tell what you are doing. I try with a blanket, but he hates it and now just pulls it off. If I have ever gotten any looks, I was not paying attention, and I just don't care.

 

[seguin78]

When i had my first baby, I started breastfeeding , once I got the hang of it I was already to face the public but hadn't thought about how I would do this. I went marching off to town, with everyhting but the kitchen sink. I spent ages looking for somewhere to feed, and in the end settled on a cafe. It was all going well, until I lifted my top up and wished I hadn't worn such low cut jeans, my bum was exposed to the rest of the cafe as well as my stomach, I just carried on and hoped he would feed quickly. The next time I went out it was fine I had bought a breastfeeding cover The Breastfeeding Butterfly. It was great and covered up and any unsightly bits of my body that had been exposed and I could wear my normal clothes. For me it wasn't the reaction of other people, if they had a problem with breastfeeding then they were the ones with the problem, it is completely natural, and whilst I agree you can be discreet, it should be a mothers right to feed her baby. I have now had my second baby, and with a 2 year old as well I'm out and about a lot, I just take Breastfeeding Butterfly and get on with it, no body even notices I'm feeding.

Good luck to you all, and remember its your right to breastfeed your baby in public ,don't listen to what anyone else tells you. x

 

[Pyrrhic]

If I manage to breastfeed properly, then I plan to buy one of these poncho feeding tops and then if possible I would pick a seat that faces away from most people. I have no issues BFing in public.

 

[marley2580]

I'll be honest, I just lift my top and plug her in. People don't really see anything anyway.

 

[Whisper]

I have literally b/f everywhere! i don't use any special covers i just wear 2 tops one pulls up and the other down. Now that Amelia latches on herself it is ALOT easier! Before that i used to go into mothercare as i had to latch her on several times, hard to do whilst trying to preserve your modesty.

I have never had any funny looks if anything people tend to smile at me, they probably think i am just cuddling her.

In all honesty i rarely notice other people i'm too busy watching Amelia! lol

 

[heather91]

Thanks for all your replies! Feeling a lot more positive abotu breastfeeding in public now x

 

[clairebear]

I feed jack any where and everywhere. i like samantha wear 2 tops pull one up and one down i do have a few breast feeding tops to if im going out for a meal as its easier for me to do one handed. i did try covering jack up with a muslin but he hated having his head covered. i have never had any negative feelings whilst bfing as i dont think most people notice.

 

[Mrs_Nesbit]

I'll be honest, I just lift my top and plug her in. People don't really see anything anyway.

That sounds like me. TBH I just dont think about modesty. I've lost count of the amount of times Ive answered the door with a boob out already. lol

 

[Blob]

I've never BFd in public i hate that i feel like its weird But i find out which shops have changing and feeding rooms in them before i go out