Do you breastfeed in public?

smilingjb

And if you do, do you cover up?  I was thinking of pumping if we go out, but you never know if something comes up.  I want to get one of those covers, but some of my friends said they are a pain and you won't want to do that. WDYT?

kristalovesjared

I LOVED having the cover. I was still not 100% comfortable with it, but definitely would not have BF in public without it! Once DD was about 4-5 months old she hated the cover, but up until then it was very nice! If you think you'll be comfortable without it, then do it! I just wasn't that brave! Oh and see how your DH feels about it. My DH would have had issues if I bf'd in public without the cover! He would always shut the blinds when I was bfing at home cause he didn't want the neighbors to see my boobs! hehe!

MrsEditorJax

Sometimes you don't really have a choice, like if you get stuck somewhere or are on a plane or something. Public nursing isn't something to be ashamed of. I had a cover and used it everywhere -- I had to try to nurse because I had low supply and was taking an herb to build it up. That cover saw many planes, Nordstrom bathrooms and even a ferry.

ATT&BTT

Yes I do with my uddercover.  I also pump at work with my cover. My DD now grabs at my cover so I have to tuck it around her now but it still works great for nursing & pumping. :-)  I also have no problem washing it in the washer with DD's clothes.

smilingjb

I don't think I am brave enough to do it without the cover.  But who knows I might have to bite the bullet.

 

What kind of cover did you ladies get?

JDCSKF

I never had a cover, but used a blanket, since it worked just as well for me. The only place I didn't breast feed in public was at restaurants, DH just wasn't comfortable with that. Everywhere else I did.

Bri&Shane_3/8/08

I had a horrible time with my cover - but I also had a finicky eater and oversupply.  He would pull off 10 times per feeding and I would spray EVERYWHERE! I found myself spending more time messing around with my cover than feeding my baby.

I just planned accordingly. If I knew I'd be out for more than 2-3 hours, I'd pump RIGHT before walking out the door and bring a bigger bottle than normal (8 oz or so) just in case. 

If I had to be out for more than 3 hours - I'd find a place ahead of time where I could nurse in private.  I have nursed in my car a ton of times. I don't feel comfortable whipping out my boob (uncovered) in public.

ATT&BTT

smilingjb:

I don't think I am brave enough to do it without the cover.  But who knows I might have to bite the bullet.

 

What kind of cover did you ladies get?

I like my uddercover better than a blanket because DD can't pull it completely off. There is also Hooter Hiders and some other covers.

ATT&BTT

Bri&Shane_3/8/08:

If I had to be out for more than 3 hours - I'd find a place ahead of time where I could nurse in private.  I have nursed in my car a ton of times. I don't feel comfortable whipping out my boob (uncovered) in public.

 

I did this A LOT!

Seattle_JiLLn

I do BF in public and at first I used to cover up more, especially when it was harder to get organized and latched, but now I can cover up pretty easily with my shirt and my kid's head.    I've never found it to be a very big deal after the first month or so.  I did like going to somewhere a little out of the way usually... like the mother's room at Nordstrom or something like that... but I don't have any big issues with it anywhere.

McJen715

I am the worst about remembering to throw my nursing cover into the diaper bag (and I freaking have 2). I have NIP though, I nursed sans cover in the seating area in the Nordstrom's restroom once, and then I nursed at the Evergreen Parent Baby Class without my cover a few times. I nursed in the food court at the Alderwood Mall once (I forgot my cover, but was hanging out with some bumpies and borrowed one). Most of the time I'd prefer to have my cover with me as opposed to just nursing without one. I now pump at work in an open back room that my staff can come into, so I bring both of my covers to keep covered up when pumping (and thus sometimes forget to throw the cover in the diaper bag when needed). Like Jaxy said, nursing isn't something you should be ashamed of, babies need to eat too!

ETA: I have two different kinds of covers: an Uddercover and a Bebe au Lait. While I like both of them I really love the Bebe au Lait. It's bigger so it covers more, I can wrap it around me and sit on a corner so that M's grabby little baby hands don't pull it off me.

Brynnie2010

I nursed everywhere while LIvy was still EBF (until she was 6 months old).  Now it's much easier to give her snacks or take a jar of purees or even something I'm eating if it's at a restaurant.  But before that I just used one of my larger swaddle blankets so that it didn't make her too hot, covered up and fed my baby!

pinktulips

Yes and Yes. I don't have a cover though, I just use whatever blanket we have, and if we don't have a blanket, then I use my coat.

MrsH_08

I do intend to nurse in public, when needed, but with a cover.  I got an Udder Cover with one of the freebie deals (pay shipping only).  My sister was an unashamed, uncovered nursing in public BF-er and figured it was everyone else's problem.  She also calls herself a "lactivist." :-)  More power to her, but I'm way more modest. 

I didn't think about once baby starts to grab at the cover while nursing.  Guess I'll cross that bridge when I get to it, and maybe use a larger receiving blanket or nurse in the car or something.

MSTie24

Yes and yes, mostly.  If I'm with just other nursing mamas it's not a huge deal to me if I don't cover.  If we're in mixed company or in true public I do but more for my own modesty.  I couldn't give less of an ish about someone else being offended by my child eating ans would totally tell someone off if I got asked to stop.  FWIW I have a hard time pumping so it's not an option for me to pump a bottle instead- my situation has been more like Jaxy's with supply issues so if I don't nurse DD would have to have formula.

ETA: So just don't count on being able to pump, it may not work out for you (hope it does, though.)  And I have a Bebe au Lait cover I like very much and also one Keren made that I inherited from Angel that is great too.  I hate blankets because they slip.

mrssmith717

Pumping, for me, is way more of a hassle than NIP with a cover.  I liked my Bebe Au Lait one.  The Evergreen Boutique sells them for a good price.  And FWIW, I definitely nursed in public without my cover if I needed to.  This baby has to eat, y'all!

blueLu25

yup, both kids. There are cute covers on Etsy too. I had an uddercover but I think they are too small, and I'm a small person. 

Even if you dont care about using a cover or not, keep in mind that they are great to have during the sunny months if you are out, since they shade baby from the sun while you are nursing! hth! 

theresab

Seattle_JiLLn:

I do BF in public and at first I used to cover up more, especially when it was harder to get organized and latched, but now I can cover up pretty easily with my shirt and my kid's head.    I've never found it to be a very big deal after the first month or so.  I did like going to somewhere a little out of the way usually... like the mother's room at Nordstrom or something like that... but I don't have any big issues with it anywhere.

Most of what Jill said. 

I would probably say about the first 6 months I used the cover all the time.   From 6-12 I used it but she would tug at it, and mostly used it to cover me when unhooking/hooking my bra.  Especially attending the Evergreen classes I got used to not using it (even before 6 months),  it is just easier once they pull it off not to worry about it. I have a Bebe au lait one I like.  (I had a hard time finding any brand cover with a pattern that wasn't horrible to me.)

We do a lot of car nursing, but Emily is not patient so mostly it is whereever, whenever she asks.  Probably the last 3-6 months I haven't used it and stopped packing it.  I also like the Target tanks because then my stomach is covered and my pulled up shirt covers the top.

KNemo

Max never took a bottle, so yes. I breastfed in public often. I also always used a cover, but he got to the point where he would pull it off or move it. I got really good at making it so that there was as little boobage showing as possible, should he remove the cover.

Covers can be a pain. But for the most part, especially if you are a modest person, they are great.

ETA: My cover was made by Keren, Luvbug. She has a site for all the covers that she makes (her fabrics are super cute), but I don't have a link to it. Maybe page her.

nykola

We're still BFing and let me just say that I breastfeed EVERYWHERE. That boob is the most convenient thing you will ever have in those early months. I'm a total prude about folks seeing my boobs, so I always used a nursing cover, but no doubt, I've nursed everywhere. Restaurants, libraries, road trips (oh yes, there is a way to BF while your child is strapped into the carseat), airplanes, you name it. Whipping out the boob is 10 times easier than having to transport breastmilk, keep it cool, warm it, etc.

I will say that a bottle came in handy on a few occasions. I hated pumping with a passion though.

chibipoe

I nurse in public all the time and I never use a cover. I try to find a nice quiet corner or nurse in the car when I can, mostly for baby's benefit not mine. I feel like nursing covers, especially the fancy patterned ones, are a big sign that say "Look! I have a boob out!" I feel like the babies head and a strategically placed shirt are much more subtle - it just looks like you're holding a sleeping baby.

McJen715

theresab:

 I also like the Target tanks because then my stomach is covered and my pulled up shirt covers the top.

Oh yeah, this too!! I've always worn a cami under my shirt even pre-baby, but now it is helpful to keep my stomach covered when nursing or pumping in a public area.

mishquiche

Yes, before I switched to EPing, I did.  It never really bothered me, but I did always use a cover or blanket.  I never ended up nursing in front of my other mama friends, but if I had I would have still covered up because that's just me and I'm a modest person.  However, a bunch of them have BF'd in front of me with covers and I could care less.  Baby needs to eat when baby needs to eat!

Zista

Loved my cover up until LO decided it was a fun play-toy, starting around 5.5 months.  We still use it occassional, but more often I just position myself so I'm partially concealed (against the airplane window, restaurant wall/booth, etc.) and lift my shirt.  Everything is still hidden, but people can clearly tell what he's doing. 

I'd recommend getting the cover... loved my Bebe au lait... if only to get used to the necessary adjusting when you are first getting started.  Once you both get to be "pros," you can decide whether to leave it at home.   

Nancy_Drew

Yup, I did. You have to really. I always wore a nursing tank so my tummy was always covered and between your shirt and the baby's head, you are completely covered. In fact there was a new mom walking around nursing a baby this past weekend at the BBF, and what mom doesn't like to look at brand new tiny babies....I looked and she was nursing. I couldn't see a thing! You can be very discrete.

I never used a cover at the Evergreen Snugglers class...hardly no one did. It was great to have a place you were comfortable outside of home in the early days. Plus, the mom sitting next to you didn't care if you squirted them with a fussy baby pulling off at letdown. Lol

I did have a cover and did use it on a plane many times to pump. I have also had to sit out in public at the airport and pump next to an outlet. Covered, no one knows what you are doing. Not to mention in a car with co-workers. I would definitely get one, but you may be surprised it comes natural and how covered up you truly are while nursing.

JaimeCH

I find that I am far less modest about BFing in public than I ever thought I would be. I swear it is from the whole experience of giving birth and having a room full of people look at my hoo-ha.

I would feel comfortable using a cover anywhere, but use a little discretion when going without a cover. I definitely whip out my boob in Nordy's restroom or if I am somewhere that I don't feel completely exposed.

Early on I planned my trips based on when she ate or if there was somewhere to feed her. Now I don't care as much. My life can't revolve on when this LO needs to eat. One problem I've had recently is that she has started getting really distracted while eating, so it is better to be somewhere quiet. I've also nursed in my car or even on the toilet when I needed to.

I remember seeing a woman breastfeeding sitting on the floor between beds at Bed Bath & Beyond several years ago and I thought she was nuts. I now understand where she is coming from, but I probably still wouldn't be that bold!  

ATT&BTT

Also I find using my cover helps DD calm down & focus.  If we are out and bout she will get distracted by everything and not eat well or not want to nap.  But if I put on the cover she relaxes and eats well and maybe even fall asleep if it is nap time.  Then I will slide her into the stroller & hang the uddercover over the stroller to block some of light.

CinemaGoddess

No, because I FF. 

Some moms I know NIP with a regular receiving blanket over them, but they said it's easier for the baby to pull off, once they know how. 

Or you could free-boob it.  This is Seattle, donchya know.

breebree13

I do...sometimes I cover up, sometimes I don't. I don't always have the cover  with me or I don't feel like fishing it out of the bottom of the diaper bag and a blanket kind of falls all over the place. It's actually hard for me to use a cover because I got these big ol boobies that I have to hold in place or else Syd would be trying to find my boob on the side of me. But even when I don't use something I usually just pull my shirt down to just expose enough for her to eat and the part of boob that is out is covered by her head...at least I think it is! lol It's no big deal to me but everyone's different just do what makes you comfortable.

nykola

Nordstrom powder room on the children's floor is amazing for nursing. Also Bebe Au Lait or "Hooter Hiders" make the best nursing covers IMO.

Another set of thumbs up for nursing tanks under your shirt.

mrssmith717

Yes, I haven't nursed for a few months so I forgot, the reason why nursing tanks are the best: covering your tummy when your regular shirt is lifted.

And, Old Navy has some pretty awesome nursing shirts:

https://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/category.do?cid=41578

DAWNNA76

I nursed in public all the time. I never used a cover. my kids didnt like having thier heads covered. Really once you are more expierenced in BF'ing you can do it really discretely without boobs hangin out everywhere. I never got any wierd looks s oI am assuming no one really noticed what I was doing and it just looked like a sleeping baby in my arms.

**Maggiepoo**

Yes, I do. I didn't think I would be comfortable because I am pretty modest but once he was here I didn't mind at all, it kind of became second nature. That being said I always used a cover. I have a Bebe au Lait cover and I loved it. I tried using a blanket a few times and hated it because it could never get it situated and it would always slip. Especially when DS would fling his arms around while nursing.

tfarabians

This is 80% of the reason I chose to pump and bottle feed with Jagger.  I HATED bfing in public, so I would get anxiety about leaving the house to go anywhere other than my moms house.  It sucked.  I really love the fact this time that my baby is getting bm but that I can bring a couple bottles along and I'm good to go.  I also keep my pump in the car so I can pump in the car if I need to and I have a hooter hider for that. 

Seattle_JiLLn

Also if you have a belly band thing you can wear that under your shirt and it looks like a "layered" shirt at the bottom but you can pull it up to cover your stomach if you want.  I swear, I worry more about people seeing my stretch marked fat rolls than my boob.

MSTie24

Seattle_JiLLn:

Also if you have a belly band thing you can wear that under your shirt and it looks like a "layered" shirt at the bottom but you can pull it up to cover your stomach if you want.  I swear, I worry more about people seeing my stretch marked fat rolls than my boob.

I have Undercover Mama tanks that do the same thing, they just attach to your nursing bra and when you pull the cup down the tank comes with.  It covers the stomach but no extra straps like a nursing tank, and it doesn't ride up like the belly band did for me. 

Kathzoo

Yep, all the time.  I wear a nursing tank under my shirt and it's pretty easy to be discrete.  I tried a cover once and hated it, so did DD.  I did use a blanket on the plane a few times since it was such tight quarters, but that was all for other people's comfort.  Nursing is so far from sexual, people need to get over themselves.  I hated pumping and DD won't take a bottle.  I had a hard time in the early days getting my positioning right without the boppy, but after that it's been so easy.

MrsH_08

nykola:

(oh yes, there is a way to BF while your child is strapped into the carseat),

Hilarious mental pictures, but good for you!!

breebree13:

It's actually hard for me to use a cover because I got these big ol boobies that I have to hold in place or else Syd would be trying to find my boob on the side of me. But even when I don't use something I usually just pull my shirt down to just expose enough for her to eat and the part of boob that is out is covered by her head...at least I think it is! lol It's no big deal to me but everyone's different just do what makes you comfortable.

This is an interesting perspective.  I'm not kidding when I say that it will take a while before baby's head is larger than my breasts, so I couldn't picture BF-ing without cover and actually hiding the boob. 

I'm super modest, though, regardless of who's around me, so I'm sure I'll still cover up.

Seattle_JiLLn

MrsH_08:

nykola:

(oh yes, there is a way to BF while your child is strapped into the carseat),

Hilarious mental pictures, but good for you!!

breebree13:

It's actually hard for me to use a cover because I got these big ol boobies that I have to hold in place or else Syd would be trying to find my boob on the side of me. But even when I don't use something I usually just pull my shirt down to just expose enough for her to eat and the part of boob that is out is covered by her head...at least I think it is! lol It's no big deal to me but everyone's different just do what makes you comfortable.

This is an interesting perspective.  I'm not kidding when I say that it will take a while before baby's head is larger than my breasts, so I couldn't picture BF-ing without cover and actually hiding the boob. 

I'm super modest, though, regardless of who's around me, so I'm sure I'll still cover up.

 

Yeah, at first I had that issue too... ginormous boob, teeny tiny baby.  And I had to hold it up to keep it in his mouth right.  At that stage it's hard to NIP unless you're in the fantastic bathroom at Nordstrom.  

And I have totally gotten out of the car, opened the back door, leaned in and boobed my crying kid in the backseat while I'm in line at the Starbucks drive through. 

doublem

MSTie24:

Yes and yes, mostly.  If I'm with just other nursing mamas it's not a huge deal to me if I don't cover.  If we're in mixed company or in true public I do but more for my own modesty.

This too!  In fact, I cover up the most when I'm around people I know(especially men), because I don't want that weirdness with my friends' husbands or older kids (8+older boys, mostly).  I have a Hooter Hider (Bebe au Lait) that I picked up at a consignment shop.

I feel like it's silly to plan my whole life around not BFing in public.  I don't plan my life around being able to eat at home or only in a restaurant!  I've BFed just about anywhere I could imagine so far - including a fitting room at REI because that's the only place they had to sit.

Mike&Care

I breastfed in public all the time. I had an uddercover, but hated the thing. I prefer to pull down (or up) my shirt and be discreet about it. I did it at restaurants, on the plane, everywhere. No biggee