I just can't bf in public

[Poppeteer]

I'm loving bf'ing.

Little Halle is now 3 weeks 3 days old and we've been through a hell of a journey with both our health and have been in and out of hospital since she was born- and we managed to stay together and bf, except for one night where they forced her home with my mum as i was too unwell. They tried formula for that one night, and although she wasn't keen and wouldn't settle afterwards, she still took it.

Anyway, so we both enjoy bfing, although we always need to do the football hold as my boobs have exploded in size and can't do the conventional cradle hold.


Prob is, I just can't bf in public, I just feel so exposed, and even if i use a cover up.... i just cant get comfy, esp with the position we do. Have tried to express with the avent manual pump and i can barely get anything out

I know I have plenty of milk as when I do let down it will literally gush out and Halle is putting on loads of weight, but I just cant express

So.... I'm thinking, for my sanity, as I'm avoiding going out anywhere, would it be ok if I formula fed on the rare outing if there is nowhere convinient to bf? and completely bf otherwise?

Or.... should I spend money on the madela pump and hopefully have more luck with that (but it's £220!!!!)

Please HELP!!! xxxx

 

[Serene123]

Have you tried expressing milk with your hands? It'll take ages, but once your breasts aren't so full you may be able to pump?

 

[Samantha675]

Honestly, it is just a process of becoming comfortable with feeding in public. The first time I was out with my son and he got hungry, I bolted for the car. It took a while, but now I can pop out a boob, get him on and not even think a thing about it.

 

[ryder]

When I was trying to bf I just used the medela hand pump and I got loads out on the let down, I could pump, let down and I would get like an ounce at a time. I kind of had to play around with it until I got the hang of it though.

I could never bf in public either, it may be the most natural thing, blah blah blah... But I cant handle the thought of sickos staring and thinking pervo thoughts, or spying etc (That was my paranoia lol).

 

[Pyrrhic]

The Avent manual pump is C-R-A-P!

I would recommend getting a Medela one. Much better and easier to use.

 

[Starling]

I've had more success with manually expressing with my hands than with pumps, i bought two and they both broke anyway. I have no issues with bfing in public, i don't even cover up most times. Just keep doing it and soon it will just be like "so what". Do you do it around home in front of others, like visitors or when you are at a friend's place? Maybe that will get you more used to doing it in public.

 

[marley2580]

It's a really good idea to express one breast while your LO is feeding from the other, this can really help.

 

[Lucy&Pard]

I still havent bfed in public!

 

[sparkswillfly]

Medula do one for around £90 aswell dont they?

 

[Lottie86]

Do your hospital have electric pumps you could hire? Just wondered if that might be an option rather than you spending all that money on a pump in case it's not any good.

 

[Beltane]

I bought a used Medela pump for $50 on Craigslist. It's just the pump- not any attatchments - those I got new and they were cheap. I feel the same way- I'm totally just not cool with whipping my boobs out in public. Whenever we go out, I pump a few hours before hand and we bring a bottle of breastmilk.

 

[Dani_b]

look on ebay if you want a medela pump. there are always some going cheap in there. i got a used one still in box with instructions for about £10

 

[leeanne]

I breastfed my first two children and I think I only breastfed in public twice. I would either rush home to feed them, do it in the car or rarely go out at all. Just couldn't get comfy breastfeeding in public and I didn't have enough milk to express either.

However, I would suggest trying to express before resorting to formula.