Any suggestions on how to discreetly breastfeed in public?

Question

I pretty much stay home most of the time because I just can't breastfeed without giving whoever is watching a glimpse. Even at home, if people are over, I go into another room to breastfeed. I'm becoming anti-social. I know just use a blanket, but that is easier said than done. I've tried using a blanket to cover. The blanket won't stay covered. I need one hand to ensure that he's latched on, one hand to hold the baby...any practical advice from women that have been able to perform this feat?

Our avatar is a name made up using our son. I am female!

Answer 1

After breastfeeding 4, I feel that I have become some sort of master in the art of breastfeeding. That being said.....recieving blankets dont work-especially when the baby gets older and keeps pulling it off or wiggling about, the breastfeeding "drapes" that they sell that clip on while you feed can be costly and a bother when you are trying to quickly quiet a screaming baby in the middle of a restaraunt. You could pump and bottle feed in public, but then you have to warm the milk up, and again that doesnt really quiet and calm the baby very fast, and is impractical if you are somewhere that doesnt have hot running water.
My advice to you is to wear a comfortable loose fitting shirt, and a nursing bra that you can unhook relatively easy. Then, when baby is ready to eat, reach one hand under your shirt and unhook your bra, band down a little and latch baby, and relax. No need to cover up, because the shirt and baby's head are covering your breast, and you dont have to fool with blankets and other nonsense. Plus, you arent drawing attention to yourself by whipping out a bunch of blankies and capes and what not. I have found that the more descreet and confident you are, the less people tend to notice. I have had people come up to me and say "Oh Look how cute! He's Sleeping!!" and all the while I was breastfeeding him and they didnt notice.lol. If you still feel a little self conscious, wear a button down shirt over your loose shirt, and I gurantee no one will even notice.

Answer 2

I fed with a small blanket up over my shoulder with no problem. Don't use a heavy weight one, as it is harder to control and can make you and baby overheat. Why not use a safety pin if you can't control the blanket? Just carry one in your diaper/nappy bag and pin the blanket/shawl onto your shoulder...of course, you'll need to change which shoulder it is pinned to when you switch sides...Oh, or wear a light weight poncho. It is cold right now, after all, and a knit poncho is very fashionable still this season...would make your problem easier to handle, though.
Other than that, do you use bras and tops which are designed for breastfeeding, or do you just wear 'normal' clothes? A lot of the tops at maternity/nursing stores are very good for making feeding more discreet.

Otherwise, let them have their eyes full...After all, your child has to eat! Don't be afraid of feeind your little one. It is your right to breastfeed and your baby's right to nourishment!
Or, seek out restrooms/fitting rooms that have waiting areas with a comfy chair, or just feed in a fitting room if it's not busy and the store doesn't mind.
If it bothers you so much, though, you could always pump before going out?

Answer 3

IMO, using a blanket is like putting up a neon sign announcing what you're doing anyway.

How old is your baby? After you get him latched on, do you need to continue to support the breast or can you just hold the baby?

Practice in front of a mirror or in front of friends or family who will let you know how well covered up you are. If you watch yourself in a mirror, you'll probably find that your baby covers up most of the bare skin and it can be hard to tell whether you are feeding or just cuddling your baby close to you.

In public, use hubby or a friend as a "shield" from others while latching on. Or turn your back to the room while latching on and then settle yourself more comfortably after baby is latched on. At home, with guests, you could go in the next room to get latched on and then carry baby back into the room once you've gotten him started nursing.

Dress to make nursing easier. Wear a nursing bra. Buy nursing tops. Make your own nursing tops/tanks by cutting slits in an old t-shirt to wear under your sweaters/sweatshirts.

Or layer your clothes. A t-shirt or turtleneck under an open button down shirt or jacket. The top shirt covers your sides when you lift the t-shirt up. One of those tank tops with the built in bra underneath of a sweater. Lift the sweater and pull down the tank top. The tank keeps your belly totally covered and the baby and sweater hide everything else.

Nurse with baby in a sling. Then everything is totally hidden and most people think the baby is just sleeping.

Pick a good spot. A booth in a restaurant or a seat near the wall. An out of the way bench. A dressing room in a department store. Many upscale department stores actually have a nice little area with couches or chairs outside their women's restrooms. Sometimes places like a Children's Musuem will actually have a nice "nursing mother's room" that you can go to with rocking chairs, couches, toys for older siblings, etc.

Go to a La Leche League meeting or a hospital breastfeeding support group and get other nursing moms to give you tips and show you what they do in order to make nursing in public easier.

Hope this helps!

Answer 4

Try a loose knit poncho, then you can still see what you and your baby are doing when latching on. Or have a coat which is slightly to big so that you can pull it rpund you both. (But not ridiculously big otherwise you'll be stared at for a different reason!) But don't become a recluse, breastfeeding in public is one of those things that seems like a big deal until you try it and realise that most people don't look beyond seeing a mum cuddling her baby.

Answer 5

I've had 4 kids and nursed 2 of them. I just used the recieving blanket. Draped it over my shoulder and over thier little heads. (of course not to suffocate...some people out there will say something if I don't explain) You could always find a "nursing shirt". I can't really help you but you could always call your health unit too for some advice on how to manage. I was shy too so don't feel bad. I always went into another room to nurse unless I was at the mall or something. Definatly look into a nursing shirt..I think it'll do you some good. Good luck! :D

Answer 6

Learn how to use a baby sling (buy The Baby Book by Dr. Sears) and buy breastfeeding shirts. There are a lot of companies that make the shirts and there are many that don't look like breastfeeding shirts. They have hidden openings so that you aren't exposing yourself when you go to feed the baby. My favorite is Mother 2 Be. Motherhood maternity also has them.

Answer 7

It is realy hard, especially when babies are young and need help latching on. I found this after my breastfeeding days were over, but it is such a good idea. It is called "modest mum" and it is a blanket with a velcro fastener over your shoulder. It has som soft wire in it that holds the blanket up and gives you a little private window to view your baby. Wish I'd thought of that....
Here's the website. Good luck!

www.supermomz.com/store/modest-mums-silk-brocade-nursing-cover-p-146.html - 53k -

Answer 8

seems weird a guy asking about how to breastfeed. but anyways you can always excuse yourself to go to the restroom to do it. Most nicer restraunts malls and churches now have sitting areas with a screen that breastfeeding mothers can go sit and breastfeed behind. If not just go in a toliet stall or out to your car if you are unable to balance the baby and a blanket over him/her.

Answer 9

Just be as discreet as you can...use a receiving blanket because it won't slide off...I refused to hide while I was breastfeeding...it is the most beautiful thing in the world...and you shouldn't be hiding. What I did was get the receiving blanket over my shoulder...then latch baby on. very discreet.

Answer 10

the comparable way you may breastfeed at residing house! whether consistent with danger a sprint greater discreetly in my case, considering at residing house I purely pull my shirt down and enable my daughter go lower back and forth, attempting to come back to a decision which one she likes terrific, lol. besides, while i'm out along with her i come across it relatively is least confusing to placed on a tank appropriate below any shirt, then pull the better shirt up and the tank down, leaving basically a sprint breast uncovered (which your toddler covers on a similar time as nursing!). in case you elect to get them, there are nursing shirts with small slits at each nipple, for minimum exposure. i'm no longer keen on any vast coverups or blankets, considering they toughen the hassle-free view that breastfeeding is "gross" and could be hidden. What a destructive thank you to view the main organic ingesting there is!! there is one "conceal" i could be ok donning. it relatively is noted as the Slurp and Burp, and it relatively is designed to tutor any shirt right into a nursing shirt. No vast flowered tent, ha ha! i'm going to connect a hyperlink for you. in my opinion, it relatively is greater efficient than paying for a set of nursing clothing, maximum of that are dreadfully frumpy. :)