Breastfeeding in public...

[luratraloora]

Is anyone doing it?? How are you doing it discreetly?? I really want to get my confidence up so I can feel I can breastfeed in front of people or out and about. So far Im running off to the toilets to do it...

 

[AmeliaM27]

I have a bebe au lait cover up which is pretty good although now my LO is a bit older he likes to grab it and pull it out of his way!

 

[Mummybexee]

I have only BF in public once - I always wear a strappy top and a top suitable to lift up! I get LO into position and pop the strap On nursing bra then pop a muslin over my shoulder and his head , sneak my arm in and pull my top and bra down

Worked ok - I was hiding in the corner mind !

 

[Emily0505]

I just got on with it.

Once lo latched on you can't see anything anyway.

I thihk sometimes all these covers and things draw more attention.

If you're nervous then perfect latching etc at home and then go somewhere quiet for your first time. Maybe take a friend with you to help you feel more confident?

XX

 

[marieparr]

When Finlay was younger (he's five months now) I was comfortable feeding in public, I always tried to be discreet by cover him with a blanket. I tried to pick areas in cafes/restaurants that were a little bit private, more so for me - I have rather large breasts and have a had a few men stare. Now thats he's older he pulls the blanket right off, he's just too noisy and always wants to be looking around and also now any noise distracts him from feeding when we are out. Now I tend to feed him in changing rooms where its quieter. I've never had anyone say anyting to me just stares but I've never cared. I'm more concerned on feeding my baby.

 

[Becky1]

I used a cover up in the early days (apron kind- pretty cath kidston print). After a while I have up and just used to wear a strappy top under everything and maybe if I was wearing a scarf I'd drape it over. x

 

[Alexandra84]

I do both with the baby and the toddler. Never noticed anyone looking and tbh I really couldn't care less what other people are doing when I'm feeding my babies . Also, all of this concern about sterilising and cleanliness with baby stuff, no way I'd feed her in a public toilet .

 

[naomip]

I've been feeding quite a lot in public but do use a cover, I just find that it makes me much less self conscious. X

 

[nic2013]

Good breastfeeding tops and bras are a help (so you don't feel awkward trying to get your boobs out) and I usually cover with a light scarf if I don't feel like exposing too much

 

[Melanie3103]

I met up with a fellow nct new mum today, i timed my visit around feeds but she showed me how easy it could be. Before i even realised what she was doing she had her bubba in position, with her scarf draped over her shoulders/neck. Very discreet i have to say. I was surprised.

So when i got home and we had a friend drop in, i was in the middle of a feed (in the living room), i decided to continue with feed but got hubby to bring me a scarf. I managed to continue with feed as they sat there having a cuppa.

Im still not totally keen on public feeding but this was a huge step in the right direction... Maybe this would build your confidence (to practise at home i mean)...

Worth a go!
X

 

[Potternutter]

I do it all the time- but it did take practice! I bought a cover but LO hated it- think she felt too smothered and can't blame her! I bought a couple of casual nursing tops from mothercare- they are brill and were not very expensive (also on a 3 for 2 offer). Well worth investing on what you'd save on formula! Also stretchy long vest tops under a loose top do well so my tummy stays covered, and the top helps cover baby so is discreet.

First time I did it in public was in Costa coffee- I was uncomfy on a high stool, it was very busy and I got flustered- LO definitely picked up on this and wouldn't latch properly. I did get stressed and upset- but don't give up! First find somewhere you're comfortable- at my local shopping centre I know debenhams cafe is baby friendly as they have bottle warmers and lots of mums in there- I choose a table where my back is to the room so no one can see. Lots of big shopping centres have specific nursing rooms which I found to be good. Also shops like boots, mothercare and John Lewis have feeding rooms. If I haven't been able to find anywhere I feel comfy I've gone back to the car to do it.

Last week I was shopping somewhere unfamiliar- couldn't find any nursing rooms, the cafés were all mad busy and I didn't know what to do! In the end, I sat in a bench in the middle of the shopping center (I was wearing one of my mothercare tops, and I'm so practised now I got her on discreetly and no one would have been able to see anything. I felt wary of others at first as many shoppers passed by, but most didn't even look at me- people were busy going about there own business! One woman noticed and smiled at me, and an elderly woman came over to ask the time, then told me I was doing a terrific job looking after my baby! Made me really happy and think I should do it more (now I'm confident and discreet) as it will help normalise it! Just practice at home, and don't start feeding until you feel comfy and calm. X

 

[Blanco]

I trying to get used to covering up but its a two man job haha especially as I use nipple shields too so trying to cover up and keep Sheild in without LO flying his arms around and knocking it off. I don't mind that people know what I'm doing I don't care at all I just do t want them seeing my boobs I think it should be private though I can totally understand as the lady above said that once they are old enough to pull their cover off what can you do? ( that's kinda funny) x

 

[T84]

Scarfs are ace for public feeding, seen a girl do it and was so discreet and I pumped in the car one day as hubby was driving. They ones that wrap around your neck are are continuous are great for being a bit bigger and non faffy x x

 

[T84]

Like these ...http://m.newlook.com/application/product/view?cat=304162655

 

[BevG]

today i was nursing my 7 month old in a macdonalds while wearing a maxi dress that i had to pull down. went out with a friend and had lunch and baby wanted a drink so i gave it, was chatting to my friend while doing it and smiled at anyone that caught my eye. i just dont care anymore after nursing dd1 to just over 1 yr. you really cant see anything titillating when someone is bf, just the back of babys head and the same amount of boob or cleavage id normally have shown anyway lol
most other ppl dont even notice anyway

 

[Emily0505]

Titillating! How apt! Lol!

XX

 

[CamFi]

I've found if I wear tops that I lift up to feed rather than pull down, then nobody notices. I've even had friends wave hello, and come over and chat to me, and as they come to give a hug say "oh, you're feeding". If someone who's paying attention to you doesn't even notice, I really wouldn't worry about strangers...

 

[kedi376]

I've just about managed to breastfeed at home but I'm having to use nipple shields. I really don't know how I can get my boob out, get the nipple shield on, get baby latched on and the feed in public yet. If I go out I've been expressing milk in preparation and then feeding from the bottle.

 

[Maud]

I've fed in our local community hospital's (largely empty) canteen a couple of times after seeing midwife, but I wouldn't otherwise feel confident to feed in public just yet as our little one is an extremely fussy feeder at the moment and would draw huge amounts of attention to us. I'm hoping she will settle fairly soon so I can venture beyond the local shops. We're visiting family over Easter weekend which will be her first proper outing and I'm really hoping she won't be too difficult.

 

[ScotchEgg]

I mostly wear strappy tops under jumpers. I put my hand up, get everything ready (bra down, top down, pad tucked in bra, boob out) under my jumper. Then I put his head in place and say the last minute pull my jumper up and latch him on.

In the early days it was really tough but I don't even think about it now. I've never used a cover as I don't like the idea of teaching him he should be hidden to eat.

I've also only ever had good responses to feeding in public (when people even notice). I've found quite often café staff will offer me a glass of water if they notice which is lovely. The other day he was screaming in a shop and I went to sit on the stool by the changing room and the shop staff brought me a comfier chair and a cup of tea. So sweet.