For those that BF in public....

[Mapleroo]

I salute you!

I had a pretty negative experience today when I was feeding LO in a somewhat public setting.

I'm pretty shy and self conscious so when we are out and about I feed LO in the car. Today we were at an outdoor event so I made the trek back to the car park and set myself up in the backseat (the windows are tinted so I feel it's more private). Not long after, the people from the vehicle next to ours came back and just sort of hung out around the car. Two men and two women around late 30's I guess. Once they noticed me in the vehicle, they proceeded to look in the windows laughing and making disgusted faces. I'm not going to lie, it was an awful experience, one that I liken to what it must feel like being a caged monkey and being back in high school. I know that nursing in public is not everyone's cup of tea, but for heavens sake i was in my own bloody car! I just don't understand how women on a daily basis knock around the place half naked, then there is all the nudity on TV, billboards, magazines and no one bats an eye. Yet a mother feeding her baby (discreetly) is considered disgusting and offensive? It just blows my mind! Anyway, it hasn't deterred me, if anything, the next time I'm out I may just whip the old boobs out right then and there and save myself a walk to the car.

 

[CupcakeBaby]

That's disgusting behaviour.

So sorry you had that experience.

I BF in public all the time and have never had any negativity (one tut from an old couple once in Costa Coffee)

So sorry you had to go through that. Those people should be ashamed of themselves. Xx

 

[HBGirl]

WHAT?????? I would have blown a fuse! How bloody rude.

I had a negative reaction once, the first time I tried, it knocked me for a bit, but now I refuse to be shy. I cover while latching for my own comfort and feed when she wants it. Since then I have never had a reaction other then positive.

 

[Sarah lo]

That's disgusting behaviour.

So sorry you had that experience.

I BF in public all the time and have never had any negativity (one tut from an old couple once in Costa Coffee)

So sorry you had to go through that. Those people should be ashamed of themselves. Xx

Ha ha I've only ever had one "bad" experience while NIP and it was getting a mucky look from an old lady in Costa Coffee

OP I think that's absolutely disgusting that those people did that to you

 

[gaves99]

So sorry. That sucks. I'm sure I would have been upset if not actually in tears. I'd like to say you should have rolled the window to say something but I know I wouldn't have. Ppl are so rude!

 

[Dragonfly]

Many woman here where escorted out of shopping centers by security, one was being taunted by kids who where talking pics of her on their phones and calling her names. They got to stay , she didn't. Same happened in another shopping center. They certainly are not used to that sight here. So I didn't do it in them places, only at home. Home where family and friends who used to visit had issues with me doing it there
too.

 

[HBGirl]

Many woman here where escorted out of shopping centers by security, one was being taunted by kids who where talking pics of her on their phones and calling her names. They got to stay , she didn't. Same happened in another shopping center. They certainly are not used to that sight here. So I didn't do it in them places, only at home. Home where family and friends who used to visit had issues with me doing it there
too.

That is just horrible! My mother group meets for lunch once a week and we ALL sit around with our tits out and feed. LOL

We should book a group plane ticket and invade your town. It seems South Africa is quite a bit more open minded.

 

[Mummafrog]

That is actually shocking, I'm so sorry you experienced that, can't believe people can attack strangers like that Sending I really hope you can find your confidence with it and ignore the idiots.

I do breastfeed in public but only day 9 so still new to it, I have no idea what I'd do if I ever got any rudeness about it, I know my partner would hit the roof though

 

[Mapleroo]

Thanks so much ladies for your support! I let out an "are you kidding me?!??" (Not loud enough for them to hear) but that was the extent of it and can't believe I didn't burst into tears. Surprisingly I am feeling more confident as a result and looking forward to getting braver when out in public. I ordered a ring sling last week and it should arrive any day now, so I think that will be great to use when I'm out and about for feeding (I do have a moby, but I'll be darned if I can figure out how to feed in that!)

 

[staralfur]

Oh that's awful! They sound like teenagers, not grown adults.

The only real negative reaction I got was dirty looks from an older couple at a restaurant. It discouraged me a bit but then I decided to just ditch the nursing cover as I'm sure they wouldn't have even noticed what I was doing without it.

 

[Leids]

That sounds terrible. People are ridiculous. I've had a few negative reactions but nothing that bad. I used to be really self conscious and would hide every time I nursed. Now I just nip without thinking and I don't pay attention to anyone around me. If they have an issue then well.. screw em.

 

[Feathers]

How awful! I've never had any negative reaction, I don't think most people realise what I'm doing anyway. I use his shawl blanket to cover around him (and me a little) if I'm sat at a more exposed angle. However it is illegal in the UK for businesses to discriminate against breastfeeding a baby. I have to admit I've gotten more confident as I've gone on, but I think if anyone said anything now I'd probably call them on it.

 

[Bevziibubble]

That is terrible!


Luckily I've never really experienced any negativity when breastfeeding in public. I used to bf in public a lot and people would do a double take, but mainly because bf is so rare in this area. I was bf in my garden once and heard giggling. I looked up to see some boys looking through a gap in the fence and giggling at me. It amused me how funny they found it, because it was pretty childish

 

[toffee87]

How awful, I do worry about feeding in public, and I will cover up somewhat, but that's because it's my boob and I don't want them to see it haha. My hubby would lose it too, he would have a full on row I think!

 

[Sarah125]

That is awful! Sorry you had to go through that

I luckily haven't had any negativity or at least I haven't noticed any.

I hope it doesn't knock your confidence too much and you are able to ignore their reaction.

 

[azure girl]

People suck, period. I cover up, because I want to, not for everyone else! I was at a family function, covered and nursing DS and a family member and his girlfriend walked away. As they were walking away, she was telling him that it isn't showboating if you cover it up...he took offense at me nursing? Too bad for him. I found an article that says it all: https://www.scarymommy.com/whats-so-hard-about-covering-up-to-breastfeed-in-public/ I plan on traveling to Washington DC with DS when he is 3 months. You bet I will be nursing him, the nay sayers can stick it! Delta supports nursing in their facilities, it says so on their website, which I will print out in case I need to prove it.

 

[Snufflepop]

Wow, I can't believe how rude some people can be! Sorry you had to put up with that from supposed 'adults'! It bugs me how people don't bat an eyelid about ladies walking around with skimpy clothes on but a lady discreetly nursing draws stares!

 

[luna_19]

Wow I can't believe people would be so rude

I'm lucky I've never had any bad experiences though I really don't pay attention to strangers while I'm nursing

 

[Mapleroo]

People suck, period. I cover up, because I want to, not for everyone else! I was at a family function, covered and nursing DS and a family member and his girlfriend walked away. As they were walking away, she was telling him that it isn't showboating if you cover it up...he took offense at me nursing? Too bad for him. I found an article that says it all: https://www.scarymommy.com/whats-so-hard-about-covering-up-to-breastfeed-in-public/ I plan on traveling to Washington DC with DS when he is 3 months. You bet I will be nursing him, the nay sayers can stick it! Delta supports nursing in their facilities, it says so on their website, which I will print out in case I need to prove it.

That was a fantastic article, thank you for posting it

 

[wishuwerehere]

Hey i'm sorry op. Have you thought of nursing in a sling? I say this only because it will offer you a little privacy and allow you a bit of freedom - in the last 24 hours i fed my younger daughter whilst changing my older one after swimming and although it expect some people knew what i was doing it's fairly 'covered' iykwim?
I'm fairly happy to get the ole boobs out in public, generally if people stare i just grin at them and they realise they are being rude! If i had any negative responses (which hasn't happened to me) i would remind them that in the uk my right to feed is protected by law