Breastfeeding in public?

Question

I am planning on breastfeeding my baby when she is born. However, I am extremely modest and the thought of breastfeeding - even covered - in public terrifies me. I've considered feeding in a private area (my car, a dressing room, etc) or pumping so that I can take bottles when we have to be out. In practice, will those solutions work, or is it going to be more trouble than it's worth? Are there any other ideas that I haven't thought about?

It doesn't bother me to see other mothers nursing in public, I just don't think that I will be able to get over my hang-ups about personally doing it. And my husband doesn't exactly relish the idea of me pulling down my top in public, no matter how discreet it may be.

Answer 1

As a breastfeeding Mom I can understand how you feel. I was also concerned but became less modest as I went. I would generally nurse in my car if I felt uncomfortable or would nurse my little guy before heading out to help top him off. I really had to take into consideration when he last ate... if he'd get hungry, etc. I nursed in public a few times... no biggy. My baby was hungry and that's all I really cared about. It's natural and when your baby is crying you really don't care. You can bring pacifiers along (don't introduce a breastfed baby to another nipple of any kind until at least a couple weeks... when breastfeeding has been established or it can cause "nipple confusion" and complicate breastfeeding).

Breastfeeding is soooo much easier in the long-run. The first month was kind of rough for me but I made a commitment to stick to it and I am so glad I did. It's worth it and my son, who is now 13 months old, has only had 2 very mild colds... compared to my friends formula fed baby who seems to be sick every other week and has had a few ear infections.

I think it's great that you've made the decision to nurse. You'll find that once you get the hang of it nothing could be more natural and easier.

Best wishes and congrats on the forthcoming arrival.

Answer 2

Those are all things that you can do. I used to nurse in the car all the time, and have used dressing rooms many times too. I did nurse in public, but I would usually try to make sure my baby was fed before we went anywhere so we would have max time till the next feeding. A lot of the baby stores have private nursing rooms with rockers, too. Sometimes I would time our trip to BabiesRUs to coincide with the time my son would be hungry.

If you think you will end up somewhere where you have to feed in public, I would get a couple nursing tops. I bought a bunch when I was nursing, and they are actually so cute that I still wear them. If you wear them over a nursing bra, you can actually nurse without anyone noticing at all...there really won't be any skin showing. I felt the same way you do before I had my son. However, I think I lost all sense of modesty during childbirth and the following days (when the nurses had to help change my pads, help me get on the toilet, etc - I ended up having to have a c-section). After a few months of nursing, I did feel comfortable enough to nurse in public when it was necessary (with nursing tops). I would still use the car or private places like you've mentioned, but if it couldn't wait, the nursing tops really help. My friends used to be amazed because they couldn't even tell I was nursing. If you are interested in getting some nursing tops, here's some good sites:
http://www.babystyle.com/common/dproduct...
http://www.destinationmaternity.com/shop...

Don't do anything that makes you uncomfortable...breastfeeding is a really enjoyable time (well, once you get the hang of it!! haha) and I wouldn't want you to enjoy it less if you are nervous about doing it in public. You will probably always be able to find somewhere private to feed. Good luck with the rest of the pregnancy, and the baby! Congrats!

Answer 3

Good for you for thinking ahead about these things, planning is very important to be successful at breastfeeding.

My advice to you is go ahead and breastfeed, and then see how you feel about it. It is possible that your feeling about it will change. If it doesn't, don't worry, there are ways around it!

After your baby is on a predictable pattern you may find times you can go out and not have to feed. Many places have become surprisingly breast feeding friendly, a local mall in TX has a special breastfeeding room. I had fed my baby in my car at times, but I grew very comfortable with the whole process. When you are out and about now keep an eye out at the places you visit the most and see if such areas are available.

Pumping is an option, although some people may say that introducing a bottle nipple may confuse your little one. You be the judge and see what works best.

You are the baby's mom and you will make the best decision for you and your baby. Don't be stressed!

Answer 4

I have breastfed 2 children. At first I wouldnt even brestfeed in front of my mother, not to mention public places. If you keep on breastfeeding it will get much better. Eventually breastfeeding feels just like bottle feeding. You wont even think about it, expecially if you do it for a year like I did. Pumping is an effective way to feed your baby but it can get time consuming. If you decide to brestfeed you will be glad about it in the long run, remember the milk is always there. No need to worry about bottles, warming the milk or spoiled milk. Good luck

Answer 5

Give yourself a couple of months of breastfeeding- you'll soon be feeding in public without a second thought.
There are private places that you can feed in, lots of shops will give you somewhere to feed privately too,

Just feed in public- I personally think that other options are more trouble than they are worth. Feed straight from the breast, because then you won't be worrying about if your milk has been out of the fridge too long, if it's gone off etc...straight from the source is the right temperature, and will help you relax!

EDIT: You don't have to pull your top down, you can wear t-shirts and slide your baby up underneath them- you actually don't show anything for people to notice, and unless someone watches you get ready to feed-i.e.position your baby, they won't even know what you are doing.

Answer 6

I have a 3 month old and am breastfeeding. I am also very modest and find that feeding in the car and dressing rooms works well for me. I have no problem with mothers that choose to feed their child in public, but I feel like everyone is staring at me and it makes me uncomfortable. I feed her before I leave for somewhere and again if she needs it before I go into a store or something.

Answer 7

If you would feel more comfortable, feed in the car or pump into bottles. But I have seen alot of women who do breastfeed in public and you don't even know it. It just looks like they are holding their baby and a blanket is over it. Then again, some make it very obvious and draw attention to themselves. I would just find an out of the way place, sit down, cover the baby with a blanket and go.

Answer 8

I was EXACTLY like you! I practiced in front of the mirror, at mom's group and at the park. I eventually became comfortable enough to breastfeed in the busy mall, on an airplane, and in front of my father-in-law. I always thought bottles were a big hassle, and I hate to pump at all. I liked using a poncho as a jacket, especially with baby in the sling. Maya Wraps are great for nursing in public, and I like the tip about wearing two layers-a T shirt and a shirt or cardigan. One slides up, and the other covers your belly. If you're in the Louisville area, I'll meet you somewhere and nurse my monkey of a toddler while you feed your baby.

Answer 9

You are on the right track. I nursed my son for 14 months and only having to nurse one time in public! And it wasn't that bad. Dressing rooms and my car were the place to be and was great instead of going to a dirty bathroom. Yes it was worth it and not to much trouble depending were you live I think breastfeeding is becoming more acceptable. Good Luck.

Answer 10

Once you have established breast feeding, you won't think twice about feeding your baby in public. It is really easy to be discreet. I tried those nursing tops and found them to be more hassle than a t shirt. If after she is born you still have issues with nursing her in public then pumping with a good pump is a great alternative.(you can try Madela Pump in Style) Just rmemeber nursing your baby is great for both of you. Hang in there it is not always an easy start but it is well worth it. I breast fed my daughters. The first for 10 months the second for 6 months(she weaned herself) and the third for a year. Good luck!!!