Talk me into BFing in public

stephcrosby09

Ok ladies, I need some motivation/encouragement to attempt BFing in public. My LO also has reflux and I never know when I am going to get vomited on, so that is another one of my concerns (let's be real, it is only happening about twice a week now). Anyone dealt with this? I have a cover, but am even nervous to BF at church because she needs to be burped every couple minutes, and if she's still hungry, she's screaming.

aLsMay24

Go somewhere easy first to try it out. My first nip with E was yesterday at the zoo. I found a bench and whipped it out with no cover (never did that with DS1) and just went for it! It was so much easier than I anticipated it being. Plus another mom came over to the next bench and did the same with her daughter. I had a nursing tank on under a regular shirt so I pulled the regular shirt up and just unclipped the nursing tank so only my nipple was exposed to LO and I kept a receiving blanket handy for burps and possible spit up. When I burped I just put the blanket over my shoulder so boob was covered and went right back to nursing. You could try in a changing room at a store first to get the logistics down and then go from there!

SmittyPants

I formula feed so I'm no help on how to work up the courage to BF in public. I will say though that every time I see a mom doing it, I mentally give her a high five. 

lazyreader

I dont have much advice other than just go live your life. If you find you need to BF then just do it. Baby has to be fed and you'll find that the self awareness/consciousness fades. I'm still working on this myself.

karacakes98

Just gotta rip off the bandaid! Dress for it (for me that means nursing tank + t-shirt) and go for it. People will look or even stare, but you can just ignore them (or smile or glare at them, wherever floats your boat). You're feeding your baby. That's all that matters.

myfriendscallmemeg

I'd definitely suggest practicing with your cover or blanket or whatever you're going to use, even if it's just in your own house!

I nursed in public for the first time the other day. Luckily it was a deserted community center. It was a miracle my LO latched so easily—especially since she hates nursing sitting up. It's something we're working on.

KariB509

As a FTM, I was really nervous about nursing in public. I planned my trips around feedings so I never had to. Now that I'm running around with two kids, if I'm out and she needs fed I'm going to do it. I have a cover but it's hard to nurse with a cover. I nursed at Chick Fil A the other day and used a blanket. In all honestly, everyone can fuck off if they see my boob and they're offended. I'll try to cover up but if the top of my boob is showing I don't really care. That's my take on it. Try to cover yourself and if you're exposed don't even worry about it. Everyone else can just go to hell because your baby needs fed!

TX08Aggie

If they are offended by seeing the top of your boob, just remind them summer is coming and they will see much more than you display nursing your child wherever they choose to go swimming!

jwls84

I used my cover at home a few times to practice latching under it, then I just did it one day at breakfast because she was so hungry!
Nobody said anything. But I was at ikea the other day and NIP a woman stared for a bit, but whatever! Screw anyone who doesn't like it!
I agree with others, dress for it. Wear a nursing tank and and shirt, bring a cover (bring nursing pads!)

NoelleZako

I haven't don't it in public really but I do nurse in my car when we 're out. I have used the cover a lot when at a friends house or company is over and I hate it because he gets so hot he falls asleep faster. I wish I had the guts to nip without the cover but I'm not quite there yet. I agree dressing for it makes life way easier. I hate pulling my shirt up so I tend to wear a nursing tank with a caridgan or something like that.

kaking78

I had my first NIP trial yesterday while waiting to be seen by the doctor. You could try to go somewhere very baby friendly like that to work up your courage.

elliebean14

I am also hesitant to try nursing in public. Before he was born I assumed I would just do it whenever because I feel like society's intolerance for nursing is completely ridiculous and I also mentally high five women who nurse in public. My little guy won't latch without a shield, though, so the logistics of trying to be discreet, place the shield, and get him to latch all while using a cover are intimidating. He also has reflux and vomits after/during each feeding so there's that. We both get so messy when he eats. I'm hoping to work up the courage soon.
ETA: Good luck! I'm sending you internet high fives.

jrw526

For me, it's not that the top of my boob might be showing, but that people will see my stomach flab. My boobs are too big for a nursing tank so I bought the undercover momma tanks that hook to your bra. I feel so much more comfortable now that my stomach is covered.

memo9

I also prefer the tank + shirt combo.  I love my undercover mama tanks!

I found it easier to nurse in public somewhere where I didn't know anyone.  A crowded mall for example... most people are too busy to even notice a mom sitting on a bench with her baby. 

jennbaylor12

Ditto the others - just go for it!! I've been really surprised and pleased that I've NIP'd several times now, with little to no issues. A couple times at a restaurant, at the Dr, in my car.... The first time it just needed to happen so I went for it, after that it was game on! I have even done it without a nursing tank on - just threw a blanket over us, pulled up my top, unlatched my nursing bra and got to business. Nursing with a blanket is a lot more discrete than an infant screaming their head off, IMO.

karacakes98

@CaseAndDave‌ my H is always trying to cover me up when I NIP (I don't use a cover and may or may not use a blanket). He cares way more than I do!

NoelleZako

CaseAndDave said:

@karacakes98‌ How do you get him off your back? I couldn't help being a total bitch and glaring at DH when he tried to make me use a receiving blanket. It made me feel like I was doing something wrong, and I ended up going to the car so we didn't have to argue.

I need some advice on this as well. DH prefers I even use the cover I. The car which is very frustrating for me and lo. I don't mind if I'm actually out in public because it's hard to be discreet while using a shield.

jennybean80

CaseAndDave said:

@karacakes98‌ How do you get him off your back? I couldn't help being a total bitch and glaring at DH when he tried to make me use a receiving blanket. It made me feel like I was doing something wrong, and I ended up going to the car so we didn't have to argue.

Next time you're eating in public, put a receiving blanket over his head!

coreyeliz

@FarmBoysWife‌ - I'm looking at that picture and all I can think is look at those long beautiful eyelashes.

liamandlettie

I avoid nursing in public as much as possible. Lol. And this is my second. BUT I sewed something that goes all the way around and room to use both hands to help her nurse and I like it much better. I flashed several people at the mall and decided the regular covers just dont work. I practiced at home to get it down before I fumbled around again.

Andreabills

I have nursed in the car, but that was mainly because we were on outer way out the door when she started fussing. I also HATE my cover. It is too hot and especially as the weather warms up it will really be too warm. I need to start trying different positions without my boppy in case we are out and about and need to nurse without it. Any suggestions on how to do that?

hjw101

You can always try nursing in front of a mirror. That way you can see what other people would see and it may help to put your mind at ease.a lot of time when I NIP people don't realize I am doing it.