Breastfeeding?

Question

this is not a slam the formula feeders question so please nice answers from experienced moms only no rude comments.... did you feel liberated the first time you breastfed in a public place? I only recently did this week we were covered with a recieving blanket but I walked through the mall and walmart and felt very proud of being able to do so without my modesty or fear of rejection taking over I latched on in a fitting room as I feel that part is a bit revealing just my opinion.thanks for any stories ..........

I don't need to explain but I was out b/c I had to purchase school clothing for my 8 year old I own a nice electric pump but I haven't pumped more than an ounce or 2 my body knows the difference between baby and pump so I didn't take a bottle my son hasn't even been introduced to a bottle yet!!!!!!! He's 5 weeks old and the world dosen't stop cuz I'm breastfeeding! It went pretty smooth good thing b/c I was prepared for a rude *** hole or two!!!

amen tanya!!! lol chub rolls hilarious!! I did have a friend with me very sweet grl with a 3 month old who metions all the time how she wishes she woulda known it got easier with time and I had to educate myself I had very little support!!!

Answer 1

Wow, I can't believe how some people can be uncomfortable with a baby having a meal. It's so crazy. And I think we should cover up so WE can feel comfortable while nursing. Not the others. It's the most natural thing, and it's sad that people see it so little they actually feel uncomfortable with it. All kids should know what nursing is, and parents shouldn't feel awkward explaining.
When my baby was born, I felt so embarassed to nurse in public, even with a blanket, that I was stuck at home all day long, and couldn't get anything done, or even go anywhere at all. Once I nursed her for the first time in public,covered up of course, I felt so liberated. Since then I've nursed her at the beach, at cafes, at the mall... everywhere. There's gunna be a time when your baby is breastfed, when you'll HAVE to nurse in public. What do you do when you're doing an errand and baby's hungry? You can't let a baby wait.
Also once you 've done it a few times, you get so good at it, people can't even tell you're doing it.
Good for you, for having the guts. Don't let anyone make you feel bad for doing the most precious thing for your baby, and not wanting to be locked in the house because of it.
Also, once your baby can hold his head up, you won't even have to latch on in private. You just stick him under the blanket, and he knows exactly what to do without any help. This is a great time for you both. Enjoy it.

Answer 2

I have breastfed my son in public many times - and I guess I never considered "feeling liberated" until you mentioned it. But, you're right - it is a wonderful feeling. All I mean by that is that it is wonderful to know I can take care of my son's needs wherever I am.

The first couple of times, I covered up with a muslin wrap or a receiving blanket. Then I realized how sweaty his little head was getting and how much I missed seeing his face while he ate.

Now, I just latch him on whenever he needs to eat. I do try to be modest about it and wear nursing tops for the most part. I have also found it easier to sit in a booth at a restaurant.

I keep thinking that someone, somewhere will say something negative, but so far it has not happened yet. I am not really worried about that, though. I have decided, with my husband's support, that we will be more concerned with the wants and needs of our baby than with the sensitivities of a stranger we will never see again.

Answer 3

I remember being so nervous the first time I nursed my son in public. I always try to maintain modesty by covering up so I was really nervous about the blanket falling down. But once he latched on and started nursing I was so relieved. It made me feel good that I could feed him without being chained to my couch. Until I got up the nerve to actually try to leave the house and nurse him, I swear there was a layer of moss growing between my rear and the couch! I've never been a big fan of nursing in public unless I absolutely had to but I have definitely nursed my son in some strange places. The worst was at the grocery store...I was taking too long and thought I'd be home before he needed to be fed again but he started screaming. There was really no where for me to go so I asked at the bakery dept if there was a lounge I could use or something. She offered me an overturned bucket behind the oven where no one could see me. I sat there on that bucket nursing my baby surrounded by cakes and donuts but it got the job done. Now I am in the process of weaning my second baby...my how time does fly.

Answer 4

Good for you.. I always nursed my son in public. The way I see it is if a woman can bottle feed her child at walmart, I can breastfeed mine. I always wondered why people are so judgmental about nursing in public. If the woman is covered by a blanket and you cannot see anything, why do people get upset? It it just the idea of knowing what is going on under the blanket? I use to get many rude comments, even from family members. But you see alot more boob at the beach then you can see under a blanket of a woman that is nursing. I'm sorry but I would rather my 5 year old see a woman that is nursing a baby, then some women with a tiny bikini on at the beach...

Answer 5

Like you, I think the latching on can be a bit revealing (especially if you are large breasted as I am). When we had our son 3 years ago, we took him to Disney World in Florida at 2 months old. I was breastfeeding and was happy to see that they had a very calm and relaxing area set up just for breastfeeding. I fed my son in there and was able to chit chat with some other moms at the same time... it was nice. However, they only had one station set up in each park and it was near the enterance. Of course we didn't spend all of our time in the front of the park... there came a point where I did have to feed in public. I had a very large receiving blanket with me and found a nice shaded park bench a little off the main path and feed my son there. My husband made sure to document the occassion with a photo. Aside from that, I never nursed my son in public, but it was a nice feeling to sit outside and watch people walk by while I was able to provide him with his nourishment.

I now have a 5 week old daughter... the other day, my son and I went to the local park and had a picnic... I fed my daughter there in the park while my son played. I will not be so afraid to feed in public with this baby.

Good luck to you and your baby!

Answer 6

I've breastfed in public on a couple occasions. I always made sure I was covered and had some privacy. I don't see anything wrong with breastfeeding in public so long as you're not just letting yourself hang out there. After all, formula fed babies can be fed in public, why not feed your child naturally in public. Just because some people aren't mature enough to take a step back and realize that breasts exist to provide babies with milk, doesn't mean you or your child should be held captive to your home.

Answer 7

The first time I nursed in public was actually at the library! My husband and I were browsing the books and our little guy started to get quite fussy. I remember sitting in a chair with a blanket over my shoulder wondering if every person who walked passed me knew what I was doing lol.

It took me a long time to feel comfortable nursing in public. Even though I always found a quiet corner and made sure I was completely covered, I was always on edge waiting for some jerk to make a rude comment.

Answer 8

Good for you!!

In the beginning I was timid about nursing in public, but quickly got over it when I realized I couldn't afford a good pump and my cheap borrowed one wasn't worth a crap. I think just getting out the first time or two is very liberating. And especially if you're around a group that is very supportive and close to you that can tell you if your blanket slipped, or if you're lifting your shirt up that your chub rolls are hanging out (the latter was my issue).

I think people who think it's rude, nasty, sexy, or whatever are really missing out on what humans really are. We're mammals and we're intended to feed our babies from our mammary glands.

There is absolutely a place for artificial baby milk formulas in this world. I'm glad to know that there was a grocery store selling it just 2 miles from my house, should my child have had the necessity to use it. But the real numbers of women who it is truly physically impossible for them to breastfeed is FAR less than the number of women who actually buy formula. Most don't realize they could have if they'd had the right information, instruction, encouragment, and patience. Unfortunately some flat out chose to.

It's natural, but does not come naturally.
That's why La Leche League named it's book "THE WOMANLY ART OF BREASTFEEDING"... because in the 1950's it became a lost art. Moms were not being taught by their mothers, sisters, aunts how to nurse their babies because medical science was telling us that our milk was insufficent and often harmful to our babies. How could one generation single handedly undermind what Nature/God intended?

Horray for you, you've just become another example of how normal breastfeeding is. Hopefully you'll venture out more and people WILL notice you nursing. The best way to normalize it is for it to be seen more frequently.

:)

Answer 9

Good for you! I will feed my baby whenever, wherever I am. Honestly, would you rather have a screaming baby or a content baby being nursed? And I refuse to hide away in a bathroom*yuck* like I am doing something shameful. Breastfeeding is a beautiful and natural thing, and I will continue to do it in public and hope that I will give another mother the courage to do it herself if she sees me, so that we can try and normalize breastfeeding.

It is a beautiful thing and if someone does not want to see, then they can look away, put a blanket over their head, or go hide in the bathroom!

Answer 10

You know, with my first, 4 years ago I did feel that. I put her in a sling and latched her on and walked through the mall! It was great! We sat down at friendly's and had lunch, nobody knew what we were doing.

Then right after the birth of my son, a local woman was thrown out of (her husband told the security guard to call the police to remove them and he did! ) a local mall. And I hate to say, that I just didn't feel comfortable anymore.
Also, that same month/week my best friends' husband shamed me into taking my son into the bathroom at Fridays' to nurse in a stall because he was mortified about breastfeeding.
Since then, I have gotten over myself. I fully support any mom who wants to nurse, anywhere! If I have to look at your daughters butt hanging out of the back of her pants with floss as underpants, you can get over yourself and let me use my breasts for what they are intended.