public breastfeeding?

Question

i've been breast feeding successfully for about 3 weeks now but am having trouble doing it in public. i'm finding that it isn't as transportable as i originally thought because i don't know how to position my baby without a lot of awkwardness. he can't hold his head up yet so i can only hold him in a horizontal position under my blouse which exposes my entire mid drift. i tried using a sheet but don't find that helpful because the baby can get fussy and i find myself trying not to expose myself rather than getting him latched on properly. i have a sling but again ... have no idea how to use it in conjunction with breast feeding. will this get easier when he holds his head up on his own or am i approaching it completely wrong?

Answer 1

First of all, be patient... It definitely is awkward those first weeks (it took me about 6 to get the hang of it!). Also, look into a "nursing cami" - you can find them online or even on ebay. They basically are a nursing bra that will cover your stomach, and you can wear a shirt over it and it keeps your tummy covered while you nurse. If you can't swing that, you can try what I did. I took a regular old tank top ("wife beater" of my husband's) and cut a vertical slit over each breast. Then with a nursing bra underneath, just reach through the holes and undo yourself, and ta-da! Covered belly with boobies poking through to feed baby. Of course, I'd wear a big baggy shirt that would drape nicely over him Without covering his face (he hated that).

And it will get easier, promise. :) You're doing a wonderful thing and it sure beats pumping exclusively!

Answer 2

Congratulations on your baby! It's wonderful that you're breastfeeding! I know what you mean about wanting to cover your midriff. The suggestions about nursing camis and tank tops are great. You can also use a tube top, worn around your waist like a belt. I cut the midriff portion off an old white t shirt and used it under my top. When it was time to nurse, I pulled up my T shirt but left the tube top in place to cover my belly. My mom also made me some nursing tops, but not all designs are created equal. I like the ones that overlap in front, but I couldn't stand to wear the double-layer tops. Here are some instructions for getting baby into a ring sling in order to nurse. It takes practice before you feel comfortable. Sometimes you figure it out because baby is hungry and you have no other choice! Just keep feeding baby whenever he needs it. You can do it!

Answer 3

I understand what you mean about being shy about your mid drift. Until 4 months pp, I wore a white men's tank underneath my clothing and I cut out the area around my bra for easy access while still covering that baby tummy. You can also put a light blanket over your baby's body (not head) which will drape over you to cover your tummy.

As far as nursing in a sling, I discovered it by accident. My son was a sleep while we were shopping with the sling and he woke up and started crying from hunger. Somehow, I fliped him a bit, took out my breast, and put it in his mouth. Nursing in carriers is something that you just have to play with or be forced to do by a hungry baby.

It gets easier. I nurse in public all the time and rarely do people look that close. They are usually trying to avoid watching the baby nurse. LOL

Answer 4

IT took me a long time too to get used to nursing in public. What broke me was the day we went to the zoo, and my daughter drank more pumped milk than I had anticipated. I HAD to nurse her. I just found a spot out of the way, pulled up my shirt and kinda covered her with a blanket, but she didnt like the blanket (it was a hot August), so I just gave up and nursed her. People stared, but it wasnt the end of the world.

I would recommend a boppy pillow if you dont already have one, however taking a boppy to the zoo is not practical. but it is nice if you are going over to a friends house or maybe your parents for the day.

I tried to be as modest as possible, but its hard. I wore button up shirts, or the cross front shirts or something lower cut, so that way I could just unbutton, or pull over or down and then I wouldnt be pulling my shirt up, and instead of covering with a blanket, I just used a light burp cloth or cloth diaper. They werent as big and bulky when we were outside and it was warm. I also brought one of those travel pillows (like $3 at Walmart) with me. My mom sewed me a cute pillow case for it (so easy if you want the directions email me), that helped hold her head up a little without having to carry a big boppy around the zoo with me. It also helped to cover up my midsection.

Also, more than anything the place you choose also contributes to your comfortability. Try away from people and in the shade somewhere. You could try a park bench or if you are totally uncomfortable you could always go to your car and sit in the passenger seat (I did that ALOT). The train at the zoo was my favorite place! No one could really tell what I was doing, and by the time that the ride was over he was done!

Good Luck! It really is a good thing that you are doing for your baby!

Answer 5

Hey there!
First off, dont be ashamed of feeding your baby! But I hear ya, I was more worried about my fat belly hanging out than my boob. I wore a nursing tank top when I went out, and it kept my belly from hanging out. It was very nice. After you get the hang of the lightning fast latch-on, no one will be able to see any of your boob at all. But even now, once you get your little one positioned, nothing is really visible. So just relax, find a nice seat, and dont' worry about everyone else. You are doing what is best by your baby, and most states have laws that protect you!
Good luck momma!

Answer 6

Women who breastfeed in public should have the respect of others looking away while feeding. I personally respect a mother that breastfeeds and others should as well. Just keep on working on it and it will get easier. I breastfeed twins and never had a problem in public because I did what I had to do and if someone was staring at me I would turn the other way around to get the message across! Good luck and keep up the good work.

Answer 7

I used to find it hard too. My baby is 11 weeks now and let me tell you, they get that latch on to where you can place a blanket over you, put the boob in their general area, and just read a magazine. I do it in public frequently now. My mom made me two of those shawl type things (Actually, if you are interested and want to send me like 2 yards of fabric, she can make you one too with any fabric you want...). Not only did I get over not wanting anyone to see me nurse, but my daughter (who was about impossible in the beginning...) just finds it herself now. I obviously still have to hold her head. I kinda cross my legs with the side she is on kinda held up more...that lets her be slightly angled up. Then I put the opposite hand under her head and just lean forward and wait...I throw a blanket over us or I throw the shawl on but even if people look I don't care. It breaks my heart to hear her cry when she is hungry and I feed her everywhere now.

Answer 8

My wife had trouble with feeding under a sheet until we got her a special cover from Babies-R-Us. I can't remember the name of the product (we just call it her hooter-hider) but it not only covers you completely, it also has some metal in the lining at the top that allows you to look down to see why the kid is fussing and help you adjust without having to hold it open. I'd go in and ask about it, I'm sure they could help identify it.

Answer 9

I only breastfed until my baby was 4months due to milk supply struggle. Found it more relaxing to bf in the car. Even in the car I still cover myself. I always wear clothes with front buttons so I just need to unbotton the top part, sling a towel over my shoulder then fed my baby. I don't like to expose my belly cause it was still so fat and flabby. Well I'm one of those who stare at mothers that bf in public cause curious to see how she does it. Sorry eh.

Answer 10

My ex somewhere bought a couple of blouses,designed for breastfeeding.The section where the breast would be is , was, buttoned down and when unbuttoned, raised and the baby's head positioned. You can move your nipple to the baby with a minimum of visibility.


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