My daughter is 12 monhts, and for a long time now, she won't nurse under a blanket. So I try to nurse her before we leave home, and I usually don't stay out too long unless I go somewhere, where I can nurse her privately. I think it's perfectly fine for women to nurse in public, but I'm extremely shy. And she doesn't nurse peacefully anymore. She exposes me all the time, and she keeps turning her head to look around, exposing my breast, as I try to cover up quickly.
That makes it difficult especially during the holidays, because she still nurses every 2 hours around the clock, and that doesn't leave much time to go anywhere...
Any advice?
2007-12-11 22:59:37 · 30 answers · asked by chloe 5 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
Thanks everyone for the advice, but I just want to clarify, I'm asking for advice on b/f in public.
I don't want to stop b/f, I don't want to give formula, and I've done my research, and spoken to the ped, and I know every two hours is perfectly normal. Some babies just need to nurse more often. And yes she does eat solids, and she's perfectly healthy.
2007-12-12 03:46:51 · update #1
If you feel uncomfortable try wearing one of those nursing tops, they really don't expose a lot of skin and you can close them quickly when your daughter turns her head. Wear a jacket that you can pull quickly too.
Layers are the answer!
Edit-
People: This lady is asking for advise about nursing her daughter in public, not about nutritional tips.
2007-12-11 23:08:52 · answer #1 · answered by Pitusi 4 · 19⤊ 0⤋
I haven't read the rest of the responses... so my apologies if someone has already suggested this to you.
Have you tried the "Hooter Hider"? I know it's a bunch of people making money off of something that's completely unnecessary - but perhaps if you don't want to purchase one you could make one. Basically it still covers you without the blanket laying on the child.... also... if she's a noisy baby, like mine is and always wants to be looking around, she can at least see you. Which on occasion will satisfy my daughter.
Other than that... if you're only protecting your own modesty or uncomfortableness... then I say you should just nurse where ever you are. I've never understood why people are so ashamed of seeing such a thing. You can try and cover as much as possible, but if your daughter won't let you and you need to feed her... hey, what else are you going to do? If it's not comfortable for you... then I think that's different and I understand.
Best of luck to you though!!!
2007-12-12 00:16:17 · answer #2 · answered by Arneb 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Wear a button up shirt over a shirt like a t-shirt or a proper nursing shirt. While nursing have the button up shirt completely undone; this will block the side view. Then you just have to worry about the front view, maybe face a wall or something *lol*.
Also some shirts "fall" easier than others. Looser shirts may be the answer. You could also sew some light weights in the bottom to help it fall. You can get these at the fabric store for curtains. People who wear guns apparently use them in their shirts/jackets to help hide the bulge.
Also when you are home try to encourage her to put your shirt down when she unlatches. My son started doing that for himself around that age, not all the time of course.
Personally I just gave up. I cover as much as I can but if you see my nipples that's just too d@mned bad, they're nipples I see men's nipples all summer and no one cares (and where I live it is legal for women to go topless).
Also will she take breastmilk out of a sippy cup, or a cup with a straw? Just a thought, but I'm sure you've tried.
2007-12-12 10:11:34 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Wear a nursing tank top and then over that wear a regular shirt. This will cover all, if not most of everything. You can try a product like Hooter hiders or similar. This might be loose and open enough to make your baby feel comfortable, but enough coverage to make YOU feel comfortable.
I am the same as you (though it is a FEET to nurse two at once in public, so if I need to nurse (say at church) I do one at a time). I have a friend who nurses with out a blanket (I always use one in public) and I never see skin or exposure when she feeds her baby. And she is well endowed. So it really is a matter of your comfort. You probably are not exposing yourself at all. If you do flash it will be for a split second and I bet no one will even notice - if they do, then they were staring a bit too hard and long for their own good!
Good for you for feeding your baby what you know is best! Keep it up!
2007-12-11 23:11:32 · answer #4 · answered by srhbug 3 · 14⤊ 0⤋
I bf in public but my lo is only 3 months old so is still far too interested in where his meal is coming from to look around at other things.
There is nothing wrong with extended bf'ing so I can't understand why some people think weaning or bottles are your solution... you are obviously comfortable with breastfeeding and good on you! Hopefully when my lo is a year old he will still begetting his morning and evening feeds from the breast (I return to work in 6 months)
I think the suggestion of a bf'ing top is a good one, or what about a pashmina that you can have over your shoulder at the ready should your lo move? Also feeding in a cafe at the back somewere facing the wall is a good suggestion.
I know its easy for others to say but you shouldn't feel shy about nursing your daughter in public... if anyone looks at you or says something negative it is their problem that probably stems from not enough knowledge about bf'ing.
2007-12-12 01:37:50 · answer #5 · answered by Kimberley C 2 · 4⤊ 0⤋
If NIP makes you uncomfortable then I guess you'll have to improvise. Nurse in the car when you get to places before you go in and after you come out, I guess.
My son is like that too and when we're out and about and it's just impractical to nurse him (he thinks he's in the circus or something) I try to distract him.
ETA: A previous person said that it's illegal for anyone to interfere with you while you nurse- I have to say that that is NOT true. It all depends on your state law (unless you're on Federal property). Check into it for where you live. Nothing worse than quoting a law that doesn't exist.
2007-12-12 01:09:09 · answer #6 · answered by Mandy 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I sure do. I just usually find a quite spot where there aren't too many people cause he gets distracted very easily. I also do always take a thin cotton blanket with us to light cover us. I stick part of it under my bra strap, the other part gets wrapped around him for warmth and comfort for a little privacy, but I keep a little hole to see right down to his face. Don't be shy about it. It's a natural thing. But, Iwould suggest if it makes you uncomfortable (she'll sense that) to nurse her before you leave and try to plan your trips around that. Or you could also pump and take a sippy cup or bottle with.
2007-12-11 23:35:46 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
My daughter will be 14 months on friday and still nurses. She's at the stage where she doesn't really want to nurse in public anymore, she always to interested in seeing everything going on around her. She usually only wants to nurse when we're out if she is tired, and for those times I put her in a Mei Tai (here's a pic of me wearing her in one: http://zingslings.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=12_11&products_id=40 ) and nursing her this way keeps the exposure down. At this age they do tend to pop of the breast often, especially when there's alot going on around them, so I know how difficult it can to be discreet.
2007-12-12 00:30:05 · answer #8 · answered by still_crazy_mama 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Good on you for still breastfeeding, i have a 8mth old and hoping to beast feed as long as possible as my doctor says you should keep it going until 2yrs if you can. I know its hard to feed in public my son does the same thing he is very nosey so i have a small towel in my free hand ready to put over my breast when he wont's to look around when I'm feeding, Don't go on to the bottle its more likely she will wont the bottle then you as its easier to drink from, that's what my health nurse told me.
2007-12-11 23:32:42 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 9⤊ 1⤋
Many stores will allow you to use the fitting rooms to nurse. I do that almost all the time with my son. you could also offer the breast, while in your car, before going in. Since she has a hard time with the blanket and wont be still (got to love the dis tractable baby stage!!!), you may have to find a quiet corner and nurse there. Its illegal for anyone to interfere with you while feeding your baby. Good Luck and congrats on making it through the first year!
2007-12-12 01:07:36 · answer #10 · answered by llllll_amanda_lllllll 6 · 1⤊ 3⤋