I am planning to breastfeed my baby and am wondering how you guys feel about breastfeeding in public. For those who are planning on doing it are you planning to cover? Use a blanket?
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I love the fact that women like to breastfeed in public. I have no problem with it at all…. but I honestly don’t know if I would do it (I haven’t had the opportunity yet), but I think it is totally up to the woman and what she feels comfortable with. What I DON’T like is when OTHER people give their opinions about it. It is natural. All animals feed their babies that way. It is the way God (or nature) intended it to be. That’s what we have boobs for, so if you don’t want to see it, then don’t look!
I plan on breastfeeding (if my breasts can handle it) I would probably have bottles for being in public.
I am a waitress and have been waiting on tables where they breastfeed and eat their suppers and I think it’s a perfectly natural, healthy thing to do. However, I sometimes notice other tables giving the mother dirty looks. I want to say something to them, apologize to the mom, or something. But since it’s her choice I let her deal with it.
Whatever you do just remember that it’s your baby and if they have a problem with it, they can just go somewhere else.
It’s never bothered me to be around it.
I ran a daycare and a mom would come in and feed her son in the room with us. We educated the children about it and they knew it was a way to feed a baby.
I public it can put some people on the spot though. It may be awkward for some people.
It is a natural and beautiful thing.
You can cover up a little with your shirt or turn away a bit from the most congested areas.
I would just wear loose shirts and be proud that you are one of the few who is giving your baby the BEST possible nutrients it could get and building up it’s immune system, don’t be shy about it, it’s something you should be proud of!!!
Hi
I do plan on breastfeeding. I feel being discreet is the way to go, So I will cover-up. I just don’t want anybody looking at my breast.
I breastfed my other two the same way. I feel it is the best thing for the baby. And I’m not going to starve my baby so others feel comfortable. They’ll get over it.
37 weeks prego
Go for it. You are doing whats best for your baby, and no one should make you feel bad about it. Search out locations though where its more comfy. Baby Gaps will often have great nursing rooms.
I found it got much easier with my second child, to be out in public, and now my friends with 3 or 4, are quite good at it, and do it anywhere. One lady I saw, with a kid in the cart, and with the other arm, holding and actually nursing the baby, while pushing the cart at Target, I was super impressed at her skill.
Yes I am. And there are baby slings that you wear that have more fabric to cover up the breast without smothering the baby. I’m not sure how it is where you live, but here there are multiple nursing stations in every major building and nearly every bathroom has a chair for that use. As for more public places, I’ve noticed a woman with an open umbrella over her chest (it rains a lot here) sitting on a park bench nursing.
i breastfed in public, this is a totally natural thing, (do we cover our faces when we eat?), but if you have to cover it, but by all means, if the baby needs to eat, feed…dont let anyone say anything to you.
you know i love to see that but for some reason its a turn off i always look away because i feel realy embarrassed staring
when i have a child i plan on trying to breast feed. and yes, i will do it in public, but if i’m in a location where it is likely to offend too many people i probably will cover with a light blanket.
My first child didn’t breastfeed well, so I exclusively pumped and never had the opportunity to nurse in public. With my next, I will definitely do so. There is absolutely nothing wrong with it (I mean, as long as you’re not going topless or anything like that). I think as long as a woman is attempting to be discreet or modest, there should be no problem (of course, baby doesn’t always agree, and the occasional flash of nipple is not uncommon and I have no problem with that at all).
Some women are more comfortable with a nursing cover or a blanket, but I feel that is unnecessary and that is fine, but I don’t think a mother should ever feel that she needs to ‘hide’ breastfeeding. With a bit of practice, it is easy to be discrete – you can wear a camisole or tank top under your shirt. Then, to feed, you lift up the top shirt, and pull down the bottom, exposing just enough for your baby to latch on. Once the baby is eating, your shirt covers everything and most people would be hard pressed to even realize that you’re breastfeeding. Also, nursing tops work well.
Breastfeeding in public is protected in, I believe, 39 states (and hopefully Massachusetts will soon be #40). Almost everyone agrees that breastfeeding is best (and good for you for planning to do so!), yet 1 vocal critic is all it takes to unnerve a new mother who is doing what is best for both her and her baby.
I have always been shy about my body so have never wanted to feed in public, the other factor is that my babies prefered the quieter location so as not to get distracted from feeding. It was more soothing. But if I had to go in public I would always cover with a wrap etc. I think people feel awkward with boobs hanging out and they don’t know where to look. Even though I am a mum I still find it hard to accept breastfeeding mums who don’t cover up. But it’s all natural so whatever you feel comfortable with.
i havent decided yet but if i do i will use a blanket to cover
If I do breastfeed in public (which I will if I ever make it outside… I am having multiples so who knows if I’ll be known in the outside world-LOL!) I will cover up using a blanket…. just out of respect for those who are uncomfortable with others breastfeeding.
i hated feeding in public and used to use a bottle when i was out or id use a blanket
Totally feed in public! It is natural and one of the reasons God made us with breasts that produce milk. I have BF all 3 of my kids. I remember walking around the store nursing my 2nd when she was brand new. I always cover up with a blanket and a friend of mine gave me a “hooter hider”. Your baby has the right to eat when you are out. Don’t be embarassed. It does take a little time with your first one to get the hang of it, but once you do, don’t even worry about it. For the most part, people don’t mind and if they do, they have NEVER said anything to me. Good Luck and Kudos for breastfeeding!!!
I breastfeed in public, but I do cover up with a receiving blanket simply because I’m a little self conscious. Someone posted something about going to a restroom and doing it there. Please don’t resort to that, not only is it unsanitary to breastfeed a baby in any restroom let alone a public one, but you deserve to be able to find a decent place to sit and comfortably feed your baby in a clean environment. Don’t compromise your comfort or baby’s health. You have every right to nourish your baby anywhere you please.
I plan on breastfeeding and pumping… when I’m in public.. I’ll feed my baby with the bottle.
I am going to try pumping so I dont have to feed in public. I have no problem with mothers who choose to so long as they are respectfull of the fact they are not the only ones around, or the only ones with rights. Yes I have a real problem when a woman thinks she is all big and starts doing it uncovered, there are children including my 5 year old son around. That do not need to see that. If a woman is covered its her business. I think there are a lot of people who over react on both sides of the issue.
Just whip it out, no one is going to stare unless they are a real dirtbag.
do not let anyone make you feel uncomfortable about breastfeeding in public, it is not a dirty thing, and if people are offended by it, they should just look the other way. how dare anyone try to make a mother feel bad about doing what is best for her baby!
gaahhhh
do it where ever you need to do it, and be proud of yourself for being a good mother
and to lover girl down there… why don’t you try eating your meals ina bathroom everytime you eat out in a public place?
why should a mother be confined to feeding a baby in a bathroom, that’s not what bathrooms are intended for
I’d definitely cover up while breast-feeding with a blanket or use a sling to carry the baby and then when you are ready to nurse you won’t be exposed unless someone is purposely trying to see.. It’s not right to expose everyone else to your baby suckling at your breast.
Just think of the young children passing by wondering what you’re doing, or immature teens watching you… not cool.
its kinda akward (honestly) but its also understandable and would never find it offensive. *as long as the child wasnt to old*
I just use a rec’ing blanket to cover myself and baby, but she ends up getting too under it sometimes I will just lay it on top of her head, so that my breast is still covered but she gets free flowing air
Much of it depends on where I am too…at friends/family, I don’t bother to cover, but lately been having doc appts and with all the other men and young children around I feel I should be courtious enough to TRY and hide at least my nipple. (hard sometimes when she just pushes herself off and there goes the blanket!)
This is such a great question. I have been thinking about this a lot lately. I was telling my husband last night that I think I want to get a couple of shawls. We have a heavy one but I would like maybe a pashmina. I thought also of getting some fabric and making one of very light material for summer.
I did pump exclusively with my first daughter so I have thought of breast feeding at home but keeping a supply of milk on hand for when we go out.
My first daughter has a couple of appointments each week that are around a lot of young children. I think I would feel better if it were more private. Especially in the beginning when we are learning to latch properly.
I have recently been thinking I do not want to feed her formula at all so really whatever I have to do will be OK with me…
I don’t think that it should be a public thing. Many women openly breastfeed in women’s restrooms and I think that is just fine but not like sitting at a restaurant or at the mall or something.
don’t do it in public gurl don’t plz… i”m not gonna lie when i see ppl doin dah it pisses me off… me n my friends would talk about it on dah street like krazy. maybe you should use a blanket so it seems like dah baby is sleepin