Breastfeeding?

Question

I am six months pregnant with my second child and I do plan on breastfeeding. I breastfed my first child for only about a month so I never experienced breastfeeding in public. With this child I hope to breastfeed alot longer. My question is for mothers that breastfeed in public. Have you ever had anymore disrespect you for feeding your child? I only ask because I was given a ton of information at my doctors office about breastfeeding and half of it was basically telling me how to defend myself and know my rights. Is public breastfeeding really an issue with some people?

Answer 1

I breast fed 4 babies, the youngest 2 until they self-weaned at 11 months and 14 months, so I breast fed in public quite a bit. I never did run in to anyone who said anything negative to me, but did have several occasions where people said they were happy to see me breast feeding. Generally, no one even knew I was breast feeding as when you become more experienced it is easy to position the baby so you are discrete. Plus, as a baby gets older, he/she doesn't take near as long on each breast to eat as they do when they are newborns. Around 6 months, my kids would do about 5 minutes on each side and be done. So, feeding time was over with before anyone knew what had happened. We like to travel and it was easy to pack the car and some diapers and not worry about bottles, formula, etc. Baby would get hungry, we'd pull into a rest area or a parking lot or go to the food court in a mall. I nursed in a lot of restaurants, in church, at a play, at the doctor's office, even while shopping in the grocery store, once. I think most people are fine with nursing moms and it is just a few vocal people who make a big deal out of it. My kids are all older now (28, 26, almost 23, and 10). My oldest is mom to a 6 1/2 month old son who she is nursing. We've been out and about many times when he was hungry. We just find a place out of the way, he eats, and we get on with our outing. My daughter likes to use a dressing room if we are shopping at the mall. If you are respectful to those around you, are as discrete as possible, and ignore any looks you might get it should be a positive experience for all. You are doing a good thing and anyone who has a problem with it isn't that important.

Answer 2

That's interesting that you got that kind of information from your doctor. I wouldn't go into it expecting to be treated badly, or assuming that other people are uncomfortable with it. If you do, every time someone looks your direction when you are breastfeeding, you'll imagine they are thinking negative things.

Just always have a couple of those thin flannel blankets - but anything will do. Really, if people are uncomfortable with it, whose problem is that? Only somebody really selfish would look at a woman feeding her child and be rude.

I always think it is funny when people are disgusted by the idea of breast milk. I mean, THEY drink milk from a COW! How gross is that? Human milk is meant for people!

The only issue I ever had in breastfeeding three children was when I stayed in the car while my hubby went into some friend's house where we were gathering before we went out for supper. I was sitting in the front seat, and I had covered up with a blanket. It was summer, so I had the window open. One of my husband's coworkers who I barely knew came up, said he wanted to see the baby, and lifted the blanket for a look! Both of your arms are kind of occupied, so you're kind of defenseless. He didn't seem embarrassed at all, but I was not a happy camper. I'd handle it differently today, but at the time I was so flabbergasted that I didn't say anything. Now I'd let him have it with both barrels.

Most of the time I was able to find a private place. If I took the kids to Target or the mall, I'd breastfeed in the car before we went in. Often at a mall, there is a public restroom in a department store with a lounge area. I really never had any issues - and this was in the late 80s and early to mid 90s.

Answer 3

I breastfed 4 (including twins) over a year. I never had a run in with anyone about needing to breastfeed in public. I rarely needed to because I would always try to nurse before leaving home and rarely stayed out more than an hour or two. Also most places have a nursing area now where you can go to feed the baby if necessary. If you do need to nurse somewhere just be as discreet as possible. I truly doubt you will have to defend yourself to anyone. I wouldn't worry about it.
Best wishes to your family

Answer 4

I just had my daughter on Nov 3 and I am breastfeeding her. I did with my son as well. So far I haven't gotten any disrespect about doing it in public, not that we have went a lot of places yet. I went to Walmart yesterday with her and fed her in the subway there. There were alot of people there, and I did get some looks, but no words. I did say kind of loudly when I noticed an older lady staring at me that "if I were feeding her with a bottle, no one would even notice let alone care. I'm sorry if me wanting to do what is the best for my baby makes some people uncomfortable. If people don't like it they don't have to look." She turned away really fast after that. I think people have a problem with it because they might see a boob and oh my god!!! turn on the TV! I think that you need to do what is best for you and your baby and to hell with every one that has a problem with it. Just cover yourself with a blanket and do it! It will take you being confident in what you are doing to be able to stand up to people. But in the end, just think about your baby... those other people aren't going home with you... Good luck to you!

Answer 5

My youngest daughter is 2 1/2 months old. I never breastfed in public with my 1st one either (she's 5 now). Anyhow, no one has really had any issues with me breastfeeding in public. I usually just cover my baby with a blanket over my shoulder anyway so everyone just thinks she's sleeping. It's kinda weird when people try to look over your shoulder or ask to see the sleeping baby though.. I just tell them, "she's eating right now". It's true, I'm sure they don't like it when people stare at them when they are eating. The other day at a restaurant the waiter asked me if I was cold, because I had a blanket on my shoulder. I told her "No, I'm feeding my baby", I think she was more embarrassed for asking. Don't worry about what other people think, it's what's best for your baby. Why shouldn't your baby eat in public, everyone else does! :)

Congrats, good luck with your little one!

Answer 6

There are many people who feel like breastfeeding is personal so why would you want to do something like that in public. I breastfed both my children until they were one and I only experienced the "uncomfortable feeling" twice. There is a light breastfeeding Pancho you can buy that helps conceal you breast and baby when breastfeeding. I live in Germany now and I have noticed that I was more comfortable breastfeeding here than in the states....I think when you make something a big issues, it draws attention to the negative of something beautiful.

Answer 7

I notice people giving me weird looks when I breast feed in public, so I just smile at them lol..
Best advice I can give you is practice at home first.....wear either a tank top with a t-shirt bra or a button up shirt with a nursing bra. Slip one corner of a recieving blanket into your bra strap and either slip your breast out of your shirt (tank) or unbutton and open your nursing bra....practice getting baby latched on under the blanket. you can pull the blanket out slightly by you chest so you can see what your doing but unless someone is standing up behind you, nobody else sees anything. Once you feel comfortable doing this at home go out with friends for coffee etc and position yourself in a way that blocks you mostly from veiw of those people that like to look.

If anyone does make comments about you breast feeding publicly, just tell them nicely to f**k off :) your waitress can also be your best friend in these situations, and will ask the person to leave, or will move them to another table if it really offends them..

Answer 8

I nursed both my kids. We nursed wherever we went. The only time I felt dis respected was by a nurse in emerge at the hospital. As long as you know you are doing what is best for you little one. That is all that should matter. Good Luck
Congrats on the baby.

Answer 9

I know a lot of people think it's disgusting and/or rude. Just try to be discrete and cover up as much as you can if you care or are worried about people saying stuff. Good luck.

Answer 10

I have never had anybody be rude to me actually I have had people praise me for it. If anyone was rude I would not care. personally I think it looks so wierd to see a baby being bottle fed.because I am a breastfedding mom.