I am breastfeeding and hate having to run and hide when breastfeeding my baby.?

Question

Is it o.k to feed your baby wherever whenever? What are some things that you might do to keep you and your baby comfortable at all times. I am not ready to put her on a bottle I just love it so much! Any suggestions?

Answer 1

Just nurse. Wherever you are. Few people will actually complain to you, and if they do, just keep in mind that you have the right to nurse anywhere you are in the US. Many states have laws that were enacted to provide a disincentive for rude people (also known as a *punishment*--usually a fine) for refusing a woman her right to nurse her baby. Even in those that don't have a specific law, it is *legal*.

I love all these people who say "Wouldn't you rather do that in private?" I have never once met any of them eating *their* dinner in the bathroom! There is no reason you have to lock yourself in your house just because you want to take *excellent* care of your baby and that makes people who didn't bother feel guilty. In my experience it is *always* women who object to public nursing, not men, who just ignore it entirely!! And children don't care, either. The *worst* thing that will happen is that parents will have to teach their children the truth instead of the crap that the media feeds them about the use of human body parts!

And the throw a blanket over your baby's head is just plain nasty. It attracts *more* attention to what you are doing (and people who object don't object because of what they *see*; it's because they *know* what you're doing!!). It is really hard to nurse a young baby with their head covered; you need to see what you are doing. And an older baby usually won't stand for it. It may work for a few weeks or months in the middle. Again...I have never seen *anyone* in a restaurant with a blanket over their head. In fact, the *only* time anyone *ever* has a blanket over her/his head in public is when they are dead... I find the comparison disgusting.

Answer 2

Good for you for breastfeeding!

Please remember that it is your legal right to breastfeed your baby, wherever and whenever that baby desires it. The odd person is offended by it but, really - do you get offended when you see someone eating a sandwich on the bus? Then why should the be offended when you are feeding your baby? S/he can't eat anything else!

I feel that the more people see it in public, the more people will begin to remember that breastfeeding is normal and natural- it is the only way a baby should be fed and the only true purpose that a woman has breasts. Why should this be hidden?

I do feel your pain though - I have felt these insecurities myself. My daughter is 10 months old and still breastfeeds a lot and now that she is older I have encountered other obstacles, since there are many prejudices that the older generation has about breastfeeding an older baby. (especially in public). But no one has said a word of negativity about it to me (actually, a few people have said they're happy to see my breastfeeding confidently).

If you feel self concious about breastfeedign in public, you can always cover baby's head with a blanket once you have gotten a good latch, or wear a baggy shirt that can rest on top of baby's head so no one can see. For the most part, though, as long as baby isn't pulling off and looking around (another joy of an older baby!) most people usually dont even notice that you're breastfeeding - they just see a momma and her baby! There are also shirts you can buy from maternity stores that have pockets, zippers, or flaps at the breast to make nursing more discreet. Sometimes, though, I find that the holes aren't big enough and I have to lift the shirt up anyway so if you are going to buy some of these, make sure that you check out how much room you've got in that area.

La Leche League can be a wealth of support for you during this time, and with any breastfeeding troubles you might have. They are an international organization, and they are online as well as in the flesh, in almost every big and small community you can think of! You can find a group near you by going to http://www.lalecheleague.org

Answer 3

It is definetly OK to feed your baby wherever and whenever.

Yes the law does protect you and give the go ahead to do it in public. It all depends on how comfortable you are doing it.

I have a 8 month old who is still nursing and here is what i have done. I am not the doing in public type so I would go to the stores who have the comfort and accomadation I need. Like malls with nursing rooms.

I have nursed in public but I would do it in a discreet manner using a blanket to fall over the exposed breast. There's also a lot of neet clothes to make is easier.

I have friends that nurse in public who really don't care about showing anything. I sometimes wish I would be like that sometimes.

Definetly wait to introduce the bottle for at least 6 weeks.

Hope this helps.

Answer 4

I loved breastfeeding. When I was in public, I threw a receiving blanket over my shoulder and coverd my son up a bit. I mostly did this for my modesty--I really didn't think I could nurse without flashing myself! When it was hot, I did the best I could with my shirt.

Me, I'm just modest and can't help it. But, go ahead and nurse. I never made a spectacle of it. I chose the table in the back or put my back to the crowd only because I found the opposite to be sometimes true--I have actually had people come up and want to talk or touch my son while I was nursing!! That always freaked me out.

Anyhow, just do what feels right and don't worry about the rest. The La Leche League keeps up with legislation.

Answer 5

It is indeed ok to feed your baby wherever, whenever.

That's the natural way to do things, there is nothing "disgusting" about it at all. For people out there that think it's gross, they are small-minded fools.

Don't hide. You don't hide when you eat, you don't make other people hide when they eat. Yes, it grosses some people out to watch others eat, but just because THEY think it's gross, does not mean that THEY can open THEIR mouth about it, or tell them what to do.

Example: Someone sees a child nastily eating away at a table in McDonald's. He has no manners, he slobbers, slurps, belches, crams food in his mouth. No one says anything, most likely. They just move to a different seat, make ugly faces, talk crap amongst themselves. It's allowed, the child is eating. No one would EVER suggest that the parents stay home every single time their child eats. No one would EVER suggest the parents send the child to the bathroom to eat, or to the car, or a different table. If it offends someone watching, then they will stop watching.

Now: You are feeding your baby, discreetly and quietly. Your baby isn't making gross noises, isn't disturbing anyone. She's feeding her face, and deserves that right. People look and think it's gross, because obviously, they have no idea what breasts are for, or what your baby is doing (nourishing her little body). Their rude comments about "do that in privacy!" or "stay home until you decide to put the baby on a bottle!" or "that's GROSS!!" shows immaturity, that's nothing you can fix. Just carry on, ignore them, for they are ignorant.

So to keep you comfortable, and your baby comfy too, I'd suggest maybe use a small blanket, not to cover her whole head (her head is nothing to be ashamed of), but just enough to sort of hide the breast itself, in case the baby pulls away and leaves you exposed.

Don't EVER nurse in a bathroom. You wouldn't make anyone else's child eat in the bathroom.

If someone makes a rude comment, tell them you are feeding your baby and that is none of thier business.

Congratulations on your baby, and mad props for breastfeeding!!

Answer 6

breastfeed whenever and wherever you need to. if you want you can take a light blanket and drape it over the baby to give you and the baby some privacy. not may people will complain about it and if they do just simply remind them that there are 360 degrees in a circle, ask them why are they looking, or just simply tell them that your child has the right to eat. now a days it doesn't bother most people to see a mother breastfeed her baby in the public. the only thing you have to get use to is little kids watching you, you just have to ignore them and remember that they are curious. a lot of the time however if they have younger siblings that are breastfeed they wont even notice.

mommy of 2

Answer 7

Don't run and hide! I have breastfed both of my boys (my little one is 9 months and still nursing.) After some initial embarrassment, I got over it. I still use a blanket to cover myself when he is first latching on, and when I am 'putting myself back together", but other than that, many babies will not tolerate it, and who can blame them? There are some really nice nursing tops out there that make it easier to be discreet, and cover your postpartum belly at the same time!:) I NEVER used the bathroom -too gross!- but the nursing rooms that many malls now have are wonderful -privacy and some quiet time.
I have never had anyone say anything negative about my nursing in public. In fact, the only time anyone has said anything it has been to congratulate me!

Answer 8

You do not have to hide to feed your baby. Or you do when you are going to eat at a restaurant? Do you eat in the bathroom?

Do not let other to rule your breastfeeding way. If you feel comfortable feeding your baby in public, do not think in others. Think on yourself and in your baby.

Use a blanket to cover you all, and to maintain your baby away of distractions.

Good for you that want to keep on breastfeeding!!

By the way, the law protects you.

Answer 9

get one of those cover ups to feed in public. I fed every one of my kids when ever and where ever I was. I did it in a way that no one could see a thing. I had a cover up on and no one saw a thing. Don't just pop it out in plan site, if you don't have a cover up use a blanket put it over you and your baby before you feed the baby. this way no one will see. Breastfeeding is a wonderful thing for your child and you. If anyone says anything to you about it in public just tell them not to look.

Answer 10

Firstly, kuddos to you for keeping with the breastfeeding!

Personally, I think it is OK to nurse where ever you are -- if your baby is hungry, feed her! Most people would rather deal with looking away as you nurse than listening to a scraming baby. Do what you need to keep you and your baby comfortable. Depending on where you are, you can nurse in dressing rooms and lounges if you are uncomfortable in more "public" areas.
You can drape a light blanket or cloth diaper over you and the baby to sheild prying eyes . Keep in mind though that it can get quite warm under there for your baby. I live in Vegas and found that this only worked for me in the cooler months.
I don't know how big you baby is, but you could also use a sling. This gives you a nice way to carry your little one around, as well as some coverage as you nurse (you can even nurse hands-free, once you get the hang of it).
Nursing clothes are another option that offer some coverage as you nurse.
Most states protect a mother's right to breastfeed in public. Some moms I know carry small, card-sized print-outs of the local and state laws to hand out to anyone who gives them a hard time. Remember though, that your rights are only protected in public areas -- on/in private property, they can ask you to leave.

I nursed both my babies in public. Usually I got curious glances, but not once was I made to feel ashamed or told I made anyone else uncomfortable. Do what makes you comfortable. La Leche meetings and new mom mixers are great places to "practice" nursing in public around other moms doing the same. You may even get some pointers!

Hope this helps!