Breastfeeding in public

[MrsK]

Re: Breastfeeding in public

The National Mall, nursing a 19 month old with no cover. THE OBSCENITY OF IT ALL!!! :P

This is perfectly fine. This is what I meant by cover/blanket. You are covered up and I can't imagine how anyone would object to this. The awkward dinner party boob that I mentioned before was very suddenly lifted out through the neckline of a low-cut blouse, completely exposed, and shoved into the babe's mouth while we all sat at the dinner table. There was no attempt at discretion of any kind.

[Urowife]

Re: Breastfeeding in public

Since you mentioned you were heading to Boston, I thought I'd post this article that someone forwarded me recently:

http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaki ... paign=8315

Apparently, Massachusetts was one of 3 states without a law protecting the rights of nursing mothers?! It really surprised me.

Glad to hear that you are enjoying breastfeeding! I'm really looking forward to giving it a shot once this little one arrives in March. Good luck!

[Meenah]

Re: Breastfeeding in public

The Pottery Barn here in Princeton has a great "lounge" with a comfortable chair for nursing and a great changing area.

[Tenacious_D]

Re: Breastfeeding in public

Great advice here.
The thing that helped me to get to that point was to actually practice at home. I pulled up a chair to a full length mirror and practiced latching her on without showing anything. With shirt still pulled down, reach up under and pull down bra cup, lift baby's head to be even with breast, lift shirt up just to the top of the areola, use pointer and middle fingers to mash nipple into shape and stick the baby on there, ease shirt down one inch to just brush baby's cheek. Looking in the mirror I was relieved to see that from the front view the baby's head covers everything. The only view that showed any parts was my view from above. Someone would have to be standing almost over my shoulder to see anything. This was when she was little and needed me to latch her on--when she got older she could latch herself on upside down and in the dark with both hands tied behind her back. Also I never wore a bella band while pregnant, but I did wear one while nursing so that it was much less noticeable that I had my shirt hiked up.

This is the absolute best advice. This should be publicized for all women!! Thank you. I am going to begin practicing tomorrow morning. Thanks Julie.

BTW, the first few weeks I nearly cried every time he got near my boobs...oh the pain! Now that everything and everyone is used to the process, life is great.

Thanks again everyone such great advice in this thread.

[Tenacious_D]

Re: Breastfeeding in public

Since you mentioned you were heading to Boston, I thought I'd post this article that someone forwarded me recently:

http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaki ... paign=8315

Apparently, Massachusetts was one of 3 states without a law protecting the rights of nursing mothers?! It really surprised me.

Glad to hear that you are enjoying breastfeeding! I'm really looking forward to giving it a shot once this little one arrives in March. Good luck!

LOL! This was the article that got me thinking about it even more earlier today.

[Michele]

Re: Breastfeeding in public

There is already so much great advice....I wanted to second the Bella Band....with Daegan I did a lot of layers....a shirt over a looser tank top...then I would pull the tank top neck down under my breast and the top shirt lifted over the breast. I now use the Bella Band as my belly cover. I know someone who made a horizontal cut in some cheap tank tops so the cut lined up with the bottom of the breasts....then she would pull her breast out the cut and her overshirt would cover from the top. I'm with Alison, I'm more self conscious of my belly than my breast!!

I also wanted to second feeding the baby when quiet...not when overly hungry. It definitely does draw more attention to you when you have a screaming babe who is struggling to latch.

You'll do fine.

[v-girl]

Re: Breastfeeding in public

My mom made me a nursing cover that I used everywhere. I also wore the nursing tanks from Target so if I didn't have time to grab my cover I was still covered. I nursed in almost every mall in Dallas and Collin Counties, the zoo (Dallas & San Antonio), DisneyWorld (every park except the water one -- it was winter), museums, 1/2 between Dallas & Austin, in church, etc.

You can do it! Good luck and keep up the great nursing!

[HouseofWool]

Re: Breastfeeding in public

I was never very comfortable whipping it out in NYC, mostly because DS was not a great nurser. I did find that when we were out an about in the mid-west that the nicer department stores had a little lounge area that was an ante-room for the ladies room with a comfortable chair that I would use. It still had the privacy that I needed, but I wasn't sitting on a public toilet either.

Re: Breastfeeding in public

I think Julie's suggestion to practice at home is a great idea. You can see what other people see and it doesn't seem so bad.

With my first, things got much easier after both DD1 and I had a few months experience behind us. In that regard, I don't consider bfing "natural" at all -- it took a while figure out. Also, my body better regulated milk production. For the first 2 months I leaked *so much* that public feeding would have been a messy and wet experience.

Good luck! You'll get it figured out in no time!

[ides]

Re: Breastfeeding in public

I usually keep my outings pretty short with Oscar but do nurse in public occasionally in nyc. If around union square I use the mothers room at Babies r Us. Parks are good. While it was warm I nursed in central park. With it being cold though it becomes harder. Stores are freaking crowded here- not just with people but packed tight with stuff so there often isn't anywhere to sit or go. I have a cover from bebe au lait as well and will use it if not in a 'mothers room' or my peditritions office. I wouldn't think twice about using a dressing room either. I find once he's on the boob there isn't anything to see until he pops off. I also think the bella band is a great way to cover the belly. I have the problem of being too hot often though so it doesn't help me much.

I too leak a lot and go through a burp cloth or two per feeding due to my gushing boobs so it's easier if it can just hang out.

[Tenacious_D]

Re: Breastfeeding in public

So we bit the bullet. I was motivated by the thread (THANK YOU ALL!) and told DH that we should go out for a nice lunch with little DS and a bit of shopping . So yesterday I fed him, we packed up his bag and headed on the train into the city. We went to the Time Warner Center to do some shopping (DS slept the whole way on the train). We changed him and then went in for lunch. So we ordered lunch and I fed him while we waited. It was a little messy but he and dad ate and then I ate while they played afterwards. It wasn't so bad! Next time I will use my black shawl because it will be a lot less obvious what's going on instead of rocking the blue and white polka dot blanket I don't think I flashed anyone and all went well. I was really excited because I finally got to get some new clothes too...WOO HOO.

Thanks again everyone

Re: Breastfeeding in public

You'll be a pro in no time!

[SuzySunshine]

Re: Breastfeeding in public

Practice makes perfect - good for you!

Re: Breastfeeding in public

Well done! The first time is the hardest!
I can't remember how old your babe is, but Jack was 2 months old before I nursed anywhere apart from the apartment or car
Then we went out to eat for the first time, and I nursed him and it was similar to your lunch: we passed him back and forth while we ate (he was/is not one of those sleep in the stroller babies). The best part was that while I was nursing, someone at the next table was nursing too, it made me feel so much better!

Re: Breastfeeding in public

Good for you, Danielle! You're doing great and it will only become easier as you go.

I was very self-conscious about feeding my first baby in public and usually tried to pump a bottle (which was a hassle) before going out. With #2, I don't hesitate to breastfeed in public. I don't cover up with a blanket because DD would just rip it right off drawing more attention to us and, even though we're in a conservative area, no one has ever made a rude comment to me.