How do you breastfeed your baby when you take him/her out and about...?

Question

Do you pump beforehand or do you breastfeed publicly? Whenever I take my baby out I don't go far because I don't pump and feel uncomfortable feeding in public. Also, I only go to places where breastfeeding is welcome like a friends house, a mall that has a babies r us, or a motherhood maternity. I would like some advice on how to be better prepared to feed my child and if it is ok to to feed in public

Answer 1

Its okay to feed in public, but you should try to cover as much as possible so perverts don't stare at you. If you aren't someplace comfortable you can always take your baby into the restroom. Also a good idea is to use formula when you are out or like you said have some breast milk in the fridge/freezer for use during these situations. The US tends to be moderate in response to public breast feeding, not as liberal as Europe, but not like Middle East either.

Answer 2

I did both. If I had some milk left that I had pumped, since you can't store it too long, I would use it first. But i'm a stay at home mom, so most of the time I just nursed in public. I always had a baby blanket big enough to cover both baby and I and when baby was full, I would continue my day out. It's so much easier. With bottles and formula, you always have to make sure you have enough, and if you forget or something, then you may be in trouble. But if you nurse, you never have to worry about it. It is ok to feed in public, most definitely! I did everywhere, target, wal mart, dillons, the mall, old navy, wherever I was. You feed anywhere you need to. GOod luck and God Bless.

Answer 3

There is no law against breastfeeding your baby in public, that said, some people may make you uncomfortable about it by staring or making comments. If you are uncomfortable breastfeeding your baby in public you could try breastfeeding her in your car before you go into the store/mall/etc. Or you could go into a dressing room or restroom at a mall or store. They also make tons of different kinds of nursing covers that are lightweight & easy to use. If you bottle feed her, you may need to pump also so that your breasts are not uncomfortably full before the next feeding. I find it easier to just breastfeed my baby when we are out & about, otherwise I have to bottlefeed her (which is a fight) and then pump after that. I usually wear a nursing tank top, a loose shirt over that, and I bring along a nursing cover, that way there is very little chance of flashing anyone. Good luck & congrats on your choice to breastfeed!

Answer 4

I breast feed in public and I still find it sorta weird. When my DD was really little I didnt go anywhere cause I wasnt comfortable and it would take so long I hated being stuck somewhere for that period of time. I was so afraid of her crying out of hunger I didn't even go for walks much at first. What helped me is I bought a nursing cover from walmart for like $10. I would use this in restaurants. I also always request a private booth if they have one available. I really didn't get good at nursing in public till she was 3 months. The thing is I also nurse in cars allot. Sometimes if were even in a restaurant and I just don't feel comfortable Ill go to our car. The best thing is now that she's 5 months old I cant remember the last time I had to nurse her in public. We usually nurse in the car or a designated nursing room because she doesn't need to eat ever 2hrs. If were out and about she gets so excited to see everything she can easily be distracted till I get her to a good breastfeeding area.

Answer 5

This is always a hard question for folks to answer because while it is of course okay to breastfeed in public, it may be outside your personal scope of comfort, which seems to be the case. Here's my thoughts, take them or leave them as they suit you:

Try not to feed your baby in a bathroom - they are teeming with germs, and not a clean place for anyone to eat.

Do try to find places you personally feel comfortable nursing - i.e. the mall nursing mothers' room, restaurants with more secluded booths, etc.

Keep in mind that getting baby latched when s/he is new is much different than getting baby latched once they are more practiced at it. A newborn is tough to get latched on discreetly sometimes, but after a short learning curve, it's much easier to do under a blanket or other cover- up. My 1.5 month old is a breeze to latch now compared to a few weeks ago.

Consider a specialized cover designed to make breastfeeding more discreet. (see the link below) I personally think these draw more attention to the fact that you're nursing, but for others, it provides a very secure privacy while nursing.

Above all, try hard not to worry about what others think of your nursing publicly - if you're comfortable with how you're doing it, that's all that matters. I just bring a waffle fabric receiving blanket that breathes well to drape lightly over my should and my nursing son - that works for me, but I'm not particularly modest about nursing. Find your comfort zone, and you'll find that as you get more practiced at nursing, you may expand your zone of comfort.

Hope that helps - congrats on your new baby, and good luck with your nursing relationship - you'll do fine!

Answer 6

I used to pump a bottle all the time before I would leave...but my baby girl does not like a bottle at all!!! I bring a good size baby blanket with if their isnt a place I can feed her discretely. She unlatches alot and I dont want my breast exposed to the public's scrutinizing eyes. (And I will not go into a bathroom to feed my baby...most public restrooms are disgusting!) I dont sit in the middle of a ton of people, I go to a the quietest corner I can find or someplace as alone as possible so she can eat in peace and I can relax and let down.
They also sell a wrap specifically for nursing in public at Target..I believe it retails for only 9.99.
I also wear a shirt that I find it very easy to breastfeed in.

Answer 7

of course it ok to breastfeed in public. thats the purpose of breasts, despite the fact that most men think they are only there as a visual. You wouldnt like it if u went to a restaraunt and someone had a problem with u eating in public. why shouldnt ur baby be able to enjoy his or her lunch anywhere u want. If u feel uncomfortable, bring a blanket or a shaw, get comfortable with the positioning of the blanket at home so that by the time u go out, ur a pro! if its done the right way, nobody will even have a clue that ur nursing.
Good Luck.

Answer 8

There are times I'll take a bottle with us of mommy's milk, just in case - but only if my husband is with. Other times I find a fitting room or another private place to feed her. Bathrooms are not good places for feeding your baby, would you eat your meal in there? One thing you can look into is babywearing. Then you can nurse hands free and discreetly.

Also, as others have said, practice in front of a mirror at home, that'll show you just how little you are exposing and help make you feel more comfortable.

Answer 9

I will breastfeed wherever I am, whenever he is hungry. I wear a cami under my shirts so that all I have to do is lift the shirt, pull the top of the cami down, and then latch him on. You see more skin on a teenager at the mall! Try sitting in front of a mirror and feed your baby, look at yourself and see what you can see, adjust to your comfort. I will either find a place to sit and nurse or I will nurse him while walking around shopping, either in the sling or just holding him.

Answer 10

I breastfed in public without any troubles, although, when my son got a bit older, he would become distracted and take himself off the breast to look around....that would be embarrasing at times, but you do learn to move fast!

I always tried to find a quiet bench to sit on or somewhere that was out of the main flow of traffic to sit. I kept a receiving blanket with me to throw over my shoulder and breast. I was very well covered, people generally didn't have any idea what I was doing.

If you feel really uncomfortable about it, practice in front of a mirror until you feel better. At least then you'll be able to see how little a passerby is likely to see.


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Answer 11

firstly you should never feel embarassed to feed you child as it is 1 of the most naturall things in the world.
should you feel a tad shy when out and about try picking a nice little cafe most are breastfeeding friendly these days get yourself a drink and/or something to eat sit down and relax get baby positioned then put a lil shawl over your shoulder to cover up. truth is that once you are sitting down and baby is attatched you cant see anything anyway so there is no need to cover up with a shawl. personally i think that if a woman can get her breast out for a mag or film then why shouldnt it be acceptable for a mother get her breast out in public to provide her child with nourishment it needs to grow and survive.