Where can I breast feed my baby?

Question

I have my first child and I am currently breast feeding. However when I go out shopping etc and my baby suddenly needs a feed where do I go to do this? I know that it may be inappropriate to do this in public, but surely I could keep it discreet and put a shawl over me whilst he is on..

Answer 1

The restroom, a quiet corner somewhere, out in your car to name a few. But if you happen to be where you can't find a private place, just cover yourself up, and turn away from the public if possible.

Answer 2

Feed your baby where ever you are when your baby is hungry. It is NOT inappropriate to breastfeed in public any more than it is inappropriate for you to eat a sandwich, feed a baby a bottle or give your child a snack.

Practice nursing at home, in front of a mirror. Try different clothing, blankets, etc. until you find a combo that works for you to keep yourself adequately covered while keeping baby happy. If you can keep covered up you can nurse almost anywhere and no one will be the wiser.

While you are out, even before baby needs the breast, keep your eye out for good nursing spots. The local Walmart has a bench in the sewing section that I have used, the mall food court has comfortable booths, the grocery store even has chairs in the deli area and by the pharmacy.

If you can manage you could try a sling or wrap that will allow you to nurse while on the go. You can use the tail of a sling as a nursing cover up and some women are even able to manage to nurse while still shopping/walking around.

Answer 3

I have had four children all of which have been breastfed. two of them have been fed for a year. When you first start out it can be really hard to find somewhere suitable to feed where you think no one will see or be offended.
As I have been feeding so long I now feed my son absolutely anywhere I want. of course having a shawl or something similar will help you to feel better, but it the most natural thing in the world and if people have trouble with it it's THEIR PROBLEM!!!

Most shops are quite helpful now. If there isn't a designated area ask a female member of staff and they may well find you somewhere.
For instance I was in matalan once and there was nowhere to feed so I asked a lady and she got me a chair and helped me into one of the changing rooms with my baby and pram.
Sometimes I will find myself too far away from mothercare so I pop into argos and sit on their display settees. No one has ever asked me to move, and if they did I would refuse.
Obviously it takes time to become bold like this, I used to worry so much about not being able to find anywhere suitable to feed that I never hardly went out.
My advice would be try and relax about it, we are moving on in society now and people are becoming alot more used to breastfeeding mums and thankfully alot of shops are providing areas for mums to feed.
By the way why not ask your health visitor if there is a breastfeeding support group you could go to, that way you will meet other women who may have found some great spots in your local town to feed and you can make some new friends while you are at it.
I am going to be training as a breastfeeding councellor very soon, because there is a need for women who have had experience to help those new mums who have questions just like yours. Well done and congratulations x

Answer 4

Breast feed where ever you feel comfortable, just not in a toilet after all you wouldn't eat your dinner in there.

There is nothing wrong with being discreet and putting a shawl over your shoulder, no one can see anything anyway.

Breast feeding is natural and best for baby so if anyone has a problem then its their problem and not yours.

Service businesses in the UK recently received info on breast feeding and were told they were to support and encourage mothers. A lot of places have areas or rooms set aside so you should ask an assistant if they have a designated area.

Good luck!

Answer 5

Good on you for breast feeding. ;-). It is the best for the baby. Most places are ok. Like you say, just try to be discreet. Baggy jumpers are great or shirts/jumpers with zips buttons. You can feed just about anywhere, without letting anyone see anything. In the UK you are permitted to feed anywhere. If the baby is hungry, just take a seat and feed. Shopping centres have certain shops where there are special baby rooms, Mothercare and Marks and Spencer have some good ones. Find out where your local health centre is, they usually have a baby room too. Some of the larger supermarkets have baby rooms, you can lock/park your trolley (in our old Tesco's) and go to the baby room for as long as required. Good luck.

Answer 6

In Scotland you can breastfeed anywhere you like! It is illegal to tell a woman not to breastfeed in public. If people don't like it they shouldn't look!!!

Sadly in England and Wales we don't have this law yet. Although I suggest everyone writes to their MP about this. There is a private members bill to bring this in.

I have just had my first baby too - he's 12 weeks old now and I'm breastfeeding. Usually if he needs feeding when I'm out I just ask if its OK and if they have anywhere I can go. Some supermarkets - such as ASDA have their own little mother and baby rooms and even places that don't usually won't mind you feeding. We went out for a meal the other night and Arthur (my son) needed feeding so I just asked the waiter where I could feed him and the waiter said "anywhere I liked"! I found a quiet table where I could do it without "bothering" anyone else.

You can drape a shawl over your shoulder if you are self concious and also find a quiet corner somewhere. But like I said - ask.

If anyone tells you to stop feeding or tells you to go to the toilet to feed (as apparently McDonalds have been doing!) ask them if they like seeing babies going hungry or if would eat their meal in a toilet? Not very hygenic is it?

Or just tell them "if you don't like it don't look!" The way I look at it is that my baby has a right to be fed. I can't use a breastpump anyway as he doens't know how to feed from a bottle.

Answer 7

Such a variety of answers. Breastfeeding is natural and best for baby. I have breast fed in as many places as you can probably think. To those who have a problem with it its not you but their own shame they are putting on you. I never used a shawl but neither did I flaunt and I wil say this when your baby is hungry you feed them. Why as a mother should you be forced to leave your infant hungary and distressed because of somone elses issues. If you are abused or told to leave take it to human rights commission youll find that no-one has the right to discrinate against it.

Honeybell I think you need to see a shrink, do you actually think that a baby only gets hungry when at home and on a schedule? Did your mother not give you enough hugs? Breasts have been around as a source of feeding for thousands of years why on earth would you want to put it in a bottle, reheat it and then feed baby. Actually I can speak from experience...who gives a flying f**k if you look or not...seriously think about getting some help with your body issues.

DragonAotearoa
Graphic Artist
www.ethnic-aotearoa.co.nz

Answer 8

It depends where you feel comfortable. Many places now have Mother and Baby facilities, but if not then I found I was comfortable feedinganywhere I could be discreet. Maybe a corner table in a coffee shop with my back to everyone, or a bench if it was somewhere quiet and well placed. After all, its not a case of flopping them out for all and sundry to see, it can be very discreet and most people don't even notice.

PLEASE don't feel you have to feed you baby in the public toilets!!!

Answer 9

You can breast feed where ever you want. There is nothing wrong with it. Like you say if your boobs are covered whats the big deal. There are too many old f**ts out there that think it should be kept behind closed doors. I remember once sitting in a coffee shop. I sat in a corner back to the rest of the shop. No other buggers around and this old guy comes in, sit next to me and start moaning. He told me that i should go and feed "IT" on the loo. The owner of the coffee shop was wonderful. He said to the guy, "do you want to drink yours on the loo?" He obviously said that was disgusting. The owner then said "well dont expect a baby to do it!" Dont ever feel like you have to hide. You are doing an amazing thing. It is not inappropriate.
Good luck x

Answer 10

Feed your baby WHENEVER they are hungry WHEREVER they are hungry. If it makes you more comfortable most stores will allow you to use a dressing room for privacy; but PKLEASE, do not make your baby eat in the bathroom! I know I would never be caught dead eating in a public restroom, so why should people expect to you to feed your child there? I NIP quite frequently, I will use a blnket for the initial latch(because I have quite large breasts), but as soon as my son is actively nursing I remove it. I can't imagine that eating with a blanket over your head is very enjoyable. I find it really amusing that there are all these people talking about being offended by seeing a woman's breast being used for what nature intended. GOD FORBID I nourish my son, that's embarssing....but if I wear a low-cut shirt it's just fine and dandy to see that much skin exposed. Personally, I'm offended by seeing people formula-feed....but I'm not going to go and raise a big stink about it.

Answer 11

Anywhere you damn well please!!....I do, and I'm just waiting for the day when someones dares to say to me "you can't do that here" I wouldn't want to be them. Don't be afraid to feed him in public, as you say you can pop a shawl over your shoulder or just turn your back, you'll find most people don't bat an eyelid anyway. I think the strangest place I've fed my son was in the reception of the sports centre with loads of big burly men wandering in to go the gym, which I think must of been more uncomfortable for them rather me. Hope this helps and good luck.