Breast Feeding in Public places!!!?

Question

i have 6 weeks old and she needs to be fed every 3 hrs... she is just not use to bottle. How do other mothers who are breast feeding their babies manage?

Answer 1

Breastfeeding in public should not even be an issue. I have no problem eating in public so why should my baby? If babies can be given a bottle in public why not a breast (humans (&animals) nursed babies long before bottles were invented.) Until breasts became a sex symbol, nursing in public was just a natural part of life (look at the poorer countries of the world.)



Most states have laws protecting the rights of breastfeeding mothers to nurse in public. Some store/malls are now making breastfeeding lounges for moms. Look for the international breastfeeding symbol for breastfeeding friendly places.

I feed (fed) my babies in public. Depending on who i am around, where I am, & the stage of the baby depends on how I do it. I have fed while shopping in Walmart, gorcery stores, church (what better place -show the inventor the invention works), school picnics, daycare, amusement parks, state fair, movies, etc. Where ever I am when baby is hungry. (when I am at the in-laws I sometime go into a seperate room because that way I get some quite time to myself & they can't keep their hands off babies & keep distracting my baby. I prefer not to give baby a milk shower- it just makes a sticky mess! ;)

If you are not comfortable- go to place that is semi- private, or try covering with a light blanket. (Many babies do not like to have their heads covered when eating (think about it -do you cover your head when you eat?)- it gets really hot!) Nursing shirts can also help. It gets easier with experience, pratice at home nursing with as little skin as possible showing.

What I have found works best for me- A regular bra & shirt (prints hide wet spots better than solid colors :p) & optional recieving blanket. Just put baby's head at breast height, lift the shirt & bra up over the breast, latch on baby & put your shirt down over the breast so it is above or just touches baby's mouth. When baby is done gently lower his/her head as you pull your bra & your shirt back into their rightful place. Then hold baby in front of breast (like you are going to burp baby on your shoulder) while you discretely adjust your bra underneath. If you choose the blanket option- tuck it under baby & the arm of the side you are going to feed. then follow the above "instructions."

Keep in mind I don't condon just letting it all hang out- but one can nurse without others knowing & with out covering up baby. Be prepard for people who want to hold baby & don't realize you are nursing- just let them know they can hold baby when he/she is finished so they don't pull baby who is attached (trust me it is painful to have an "attached" baby pulled out of your arms -off your breast) by a loving grandma who can't keep her hands off.)

One last comment- I have found trying to cover up & stay coverd often draws more attention than not covering up. Because now you have something announcing "I am feeding my baby." I get more people looking at me when I cover up because they know what i am doing, whereas as i I simply lift my shirt (as descibed above) people just think I am trying snuggle with baby & put him/her to sleep. Also breastfeeding is SO much easier than pumping & formula- I mean - where am I going to warm up that pumped milk or find nice clean warm water to mix formula? (I work full time & it is so much easier in the evenings & weekend when I can just nurse my baby.) My 2 cents!

EDIT: Why would anyone go into a bathroom to nurse (do you eat in a bathroom?)- Especially when they are in a resturant? Eneryone in the restraunt is eating why can't babies?

Answer 2

Breastfeeding is a completely natural thing and the best for the child which I am sure you know as you are already breastfeeding. You can breastfeed however you are comfortable. Cover up with a shawl a baby blanket or just wear nursing tops and dont worry about what people might say. Its your body and your baby and you have every right to feed them whenever and wherever you feel comfortable. Sometimes its just too hot to cover the childs head with a blanket so I completely understand when a woman doesnt use a cover up. I personally havent been able to breast feed because my children just wouldnt get the latch on part even after months of trying and other people trying to help. You can also join a breastfeeding mothers group usually found through WIC to help with any problems that might come up.

Answer 3

My youngest will be 8 months tomorrow and is still exclusively breastfed, and fed on demand. He has never had any kind of schedule, so planning outings around his feeding pattern is impossible. In the very beginning(while nursing was stil new and I wasn't very good at latching him) I would take a small blanket and sit in a corner somewhere and nurse him. However, once he was latched on I would remove the blanket. I don't eat with blankets over my head, why should my child? Once he got a bit bigger I was able to nurse him without anyone being wiser in his sling. That was great because I could still wander around shopping with both hands while he was content. Howvere, he is getting to be too big to easily nurse in the sling, but I have gotten good at cradling him while pushing the cart.
I have NEVER bought a special nursing shirt, they are just too darn expensive! I made my own shirts by buying a pack of men's A-shirts and cutting slits in them; then I just layered them under any of my other shirts. Super easy, cheap, and you now have an unlimited number of nursing shirts.
Another thing to remember though; if you are truly uncomfortable nursing in public you can almost ALWAYS find somewhere at least semi-private to nurse. Most stores are VERY accomadating as far as letting a nursing mother use a dressing room.

Answer 4

At first, you go into the bathroom and sit in a stall. Then, you bring a blanket and wear clothes that make breastfeeding easier. Finally, you get so good at it that you can breastfeed while a man is talking to you. I did.

It takes time. Practice in front of a mirror, get a good nursing bra, some nursing shirts or tops with wide waists, and ask your husband or friend to check it out and see if anything shows.

If you're really brave, breastfeed in public, anyway. If you cover up well and you bring a magazine or a good Ted Dekker book, people will assume you want to be left alone and won't look at you so much. It's easy to blend in when you're doing your best not to stand out.

Above all, join a local La Leche League group. They are a huge source of support. They were for me.

I hope this helps!

Answer 5

I have never breastfed but many friends and family members of mine have. It can be uncomfortable when it is new, but I'm sure that will subside a bit as time goes by.

Just take the time to be discreet about it, use a baby blanket or something of that nature to throw over your shoulder and provide some cover.

Try wearing two layers for tops, an undershirt that can be pulled up, and an outershort or sweater that can be pulled down or unbuttoned a bit at the top. That's what many people I know have done in an effort to be discreet while in public.

It is a very natural and beautiful thing so apply a little bit of common sense as far as discretion is concerned and you will be just fine.

Congrats on the baby!!

Answer 6

I usually find a quiet spot that is out of the way, tuck a receiving blanket into my bra strap, and just feed the baby in quiet. It takes some getting used to, but you'll get the hang of it. It was really difficult the first few times, and I find restaurants are the hardest.

At restaurants ask for a table, not a booth, and try to get it off to the side (so you are not in a major thoroughfare!). Booths are often too tight to fit you and the baby in a feeding position.

Also, check around the places that you normally go to see if they have places you can breastfeed in comfort. Our mall has a "Family Restroom" with large stalls and changing tables, as well as two rooms with rockers and a privacy curtain.

Good Luck and keep it up!

Answer 7

Well they do have to feed their baby, but the women I've seen breast-feeding in public always cover themselves with a blanket, so it's ok. If they don't then I reckon that's just inconsiderate, other people would feel uncomfortable...especially in restaurants etc.

Answer 8

I breastfeed my son anywhere I am, whenever they are hungry. I wear a cami under my shirts, lift up the top shirt and then pull down the top of the cami and nurse my son. He hates being covered up, so a blanket or a nursing shawl is not a possibility for us. He also refuses the bottle. I was nervous at first, so I practiced in front of the mirror at home and was surprised at how you do not see anything. If you are comfortable, just do it. Don't feel like you have to hide, you are not doing anything shameful. Your baby has every right to eat in public, and you are protected by the law!

Answer 9

In Europe it's not a big deal and common place for Moms to whip their boobs out when baby is hungry.
In the U.S babies are hidden under a blanket.
I think you should feed your baby when they are hungry and in whatever way makes you feel the most comfortable.
When I nursed I sometimes got *looks* but I would challenge anyone to tell me that I can't feed my baby any way I choose and they can kiss my ***.
If people find a feeding baby on their mothers breast offensive they need to look elsewhere.
Often times I would feed my baby at the table and no-one would have known he was eating like the rest of us because I wore clothes that were made specifically for breast-feeding mothers.
Remember their primary function is to nourish your child and Societies hang-ups about exposed breasts don't matter when your boobs are leaking and baba is famished.


Hooray for boobies! :o)

Answer 10

When I was breastfeeding my son I would make sure I would make plans around his feeding schedule. I would feed him before we would leave the house so that way I knew he wouldn't get hungry for another 2-3hrs. If we were at a restaurant I would see if the restroom had a lounge area or some waiting area that was away from too many people so I could feed my baby. I put a receiving blanket over my shoulder and over the baby's head so no one could get a peek of my booby. Make sure you wear a top that allows easy access for the boop to pop out.
When I went to the supermarket....that was a quick outing so I could feed the baby as soon as I got home.
But other than that I really didn't spend too much time out of the house in between feedings.

My girlfriend does the same thing and she breastfeeds.

Don't feel ashamed if you have to breastfeed in public. It's a natural thing and nobody has the right to tell you that you can't feed your baby.

Congratulations...hope this helps.

Answer 11

Exactly like that... you breastfeed in public. In the U.S. (or most states anyway) mothers have the right to breastfeed anywhere when they baby is hungry. SO if you have to breastfeed, go ahead and do so and don't let anyone stop you. Just be discreet about it, of course. You can drape a receiving blanket over you... or you can do it in the car, if you're not comfortable.