I want to breastfeed, but what shall I do when out?

Question

I really want to breastfeed when I've had my baby, but I was wondering what to do when I'm out with my baby?! There is no way I'm going to feed my child in a ladies toilet, and as I do not wish to cover my childs head with a blanket or anything, what shall I do?

And I'm not saying I want to do it with my breasts hanging out or anything, I just don't believe in hiding my baby under a blanket. You wouldn't shove a blanket over your babies head whilst it was sleeping, or whilst itxs in its pram, so why put one over its head when its feeding?!

I also want to add, if I was going to use a bottle milk formula I wouldn't be wanting to breastfeed would I?!

Answer 1

Congrats!
You don't have to go hide to nurse your baby. I remember how I felt, wondering how I could nurse in public, but it can be done so discretely! I used a sling (Maya Wrap) to carry my baby, wore nursing bras and nursing tops (motherwear.com) and I practiced at home. You'll get the hang of it and be able to nurse anywhere, anytime! I once nursed him as I was checking out of a hotel and no one even noticed!!
Good luck!

Answer 2

Latch your baby on and nurse. You don't need to hide under a blanket or excuse yourself to a different room. You're not doing anything dirty.....you're doing something normal and natural!

You'll be surprised how very little anyone can see when you are nursing. Between your clothing and your baby's body, everything is pretty much covered! You definately show less skin than in a bathing suit! Practice in front of a mirror and see what it looks like or have your hubby describe what he can see to you. Go to some La Leche League meetings and get to know other nursing moms and you'll realize that you don't have to expose yourself to nurse and maybe get a few pointers from them on what works well.

You can buy nursing bras and nursing tops that make things easier. Or you can wear normal clothing that allow you easy access for nursing. You can dress in layers, such as a tank top under a sweater or a t-shirt under an open button down top, etc. Try wearing your baby in a sling and learn to nurse with the child in the sling. Then you are not only discreet, but also have your hands free and can walk around and do other stuff if needed.

I've had three children and have breastfed all of them anywhere and everywhere that they needed to nurse.

There are NO states in the USA where BFIP is considered illegal. There are MANY states where the right to nurse in pubilc is protected. The LLL site has info on breastfeeding related laws and can tell you if your rights are protected in your state.

Answer 3

Just feed the baby! That's what I do. If you want you can practice latching your baby on in front of a mirror so you can get good at showing as little skin as possible. I nurse in public all the time without a blanket and usually people just think she's sleeping. Putting a blanket over their heads just draws more attention to the fact that you're nursing in my opinion.

You may also want to try a sling to make it easier to nurse on the go.

Bottom line: don't worry about it. Probably no one will notice anyway!

GL, you'll do great!

Answer 4

find a comfortable place to sit with baby . wrap a small blanket around your shoulder then under the baby for support then pop yout t shirt or top up just enough up over your nipple so baby can feed happily and the blanket will provide enough coverage for a bit of privacy to you and baby while feeding takes place even if this is on a bus or tube etc the little blanket covers enough from prying eyes and there is nothing more natural than breast feeding only people who bottle fed or have never seen breast feeding take place will pry because they never expeienced this so its all new to you and them .

Answer 5

If you wear a loose top, it can be quite easily lifted. You don't have to whip off your top. I've seen women openly breastfeeding in public and hardly noticed. (They had more courage than I ever had.) And I agree about the toilets. People's attitudes are shocking.
If you lack courage, express your milk into a bottle. Not ideal. By the way, I fed four children until they were 18 months. It settles down, but it is the first few weeks of that first baby that are hard until you adjust. Good luck.

Answer 6

You can sit in your car and breast feed with your breasts exposed, or if you live in one of several european or asian countries breastfeeding without covering up is acceptable.

I understand not wanting to breastfeed in the restroom, but you might want to reconsider using a receiving blanket to cover your breast and your baby. A receiving blanket is light enough not to be a hindrance to your babies breathing, it provides shade and protection from the wind and keeps the baby a little warm if it happens to be cool. Additionally, you can manage the blanket so that you can see the babies eyes in fact most of his or her face without uncovering yourself. It just takes a little practice.

If you cannot find a compromise that makes you comfortable nursing in public then you can get a breast pump and keep breast milk available for the baby to take by bottle either with you when you are out, or leave baby home with Daddy or Grandparent or Trusted Person and get some fresh air and exercise your body and mind for a while on your own!

Good Luck and Congratulations!

Jen

Answer 7

I had this problem with my last child and yes did resort to feeding in toilets (yuk) and mainly in the car or in thebaby change room. (and expressed milk - but thats a real chore if you go out alot) This time Im planning on getting a sidewards sling. I think I should be able to carry baby in it, and feed discreetly, as obviousley with a toddler I cant keep rushing and hiding. I also am getting a bump cover for my later pregnancy as my big white belly keeps poking out, so Im hoping thta will cover my lower half whilst feeding. I have seen the sideways slings on ebay, theres a woman with get this 12 kids! Makes them herself in loads of colours so im going to put one on my christmas list and give it a try. Best of luck with the breatsfeeding - one bonus is you dont have to cart loads of bottles about!

Answer 8

Find out your state's laws. I know in my state not only is it perfectly legal to breast feed anywhere, but it's also protected by law! Personally, I don't like doing it in public as my son doesn't like to have his head covered and I'm very large busted. While there is nothing wrong with nursing in public, I feel better nursing in a dressing room. The other thing you might want to look into is a Maya Wrap (www.mayawrap.com). It is a sling that you can nurse while baby is in it.

Answer 9

Well I have to agree that it is a natural thing to breastfeed. I was not breastfed when I was a baby because I was too weak, so good on you . My personal suggestion would be to adapt your dress/ blouses in such a way that no one would expect that you breastfeed. Look at the modifications made to a breastfeeding bra for clues. The opening could for instace be disguised as a breast pocket.

Answer 10

Buy and avent expressing pump. You can even freeze expressed milk (we did this) so when her mum went back to work, I could feed our baby expressed breast milk during the day ( I resigned from work and stayed home ).

When you're out, you take a bottle, and the expressed milk, and just feed baby from a bottle, no compromise to you, or to your baby's diet.

Hope thats seems like a good idea.

We tried two systems, Maws and Avent... the Avent one worked much better.