Nursing in public

jennre · April 2012

I have only done this once and technically it wasn't really in public. Just the car. I just feel really nervous and ackward doing it. I know that the more I do it the more comfortable I'll feel but I just can't seem to get over the anxiety of it. As a result I never leave the house. Any tips or advice y'all can offer? TIA.

tokenhoser · April 2012

Try a few things to get more comfortable. If you can set up a mirror at home so you can see what other people see, try that. If you want to use a cover or blanket to cover up, do that. Make your first attempts easy - if the mall has a mother's room, use it (or a change room). Go to IKEA and use their mother's room. Go to a La Leche Meeting or another mom's group.

I used my diaper bag as a pillow a lot when he was tiny. Smile

amyc216 · April 2012

At restaurants, it's more comfortable to be in a booth and maybe in a corner or out of the way table.

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sweetky_06 · April 2012

amyc216:
At restaurants, it's more comfortable to be in a booth and maybe in a corner or out of the way table.

This. In a booth, especially a tall backed one, no one can see what you are doing so it's a great "first" NIP.

dino24saur · April 2012

Whenever we go out to eat I always ask to be in a corner or by a wall. Booths do make it much easier. I have nursed a lot in public. If there is a mother's room I will go there but I refuse to go to a bathroom to nurse. Gross. I have no problem nursing in public but I do try to use a cover when I feel it is needed. Mostly the cover is just frustrating and in the way. I live in Texas and it is already hot here so if I'm outside or inside without a/c I refuse to cover up. I'm more worried about my baby getting overheated than someone else being uncomfortable. That being said I do try to be considerate if there are a lot of men around. I keep a small pillow in my car and if we are going to be out for a while I bring it with us in the diaper bag. I personally find it easiest to just start nursing her and get her happy, then if I feel the need put the cover over us. If I put it on first it just gets in the way and I end up moving it anyway. Hope this helps!

p.s.- if possible nurse somewhere relatively quiet. It cuts down on the stress!

AmyRI · April 2012

Start at a place like the mall where there are lots of stores with dressing rooms, and some of the bigger department stores like Macy's often have lounges in the women's bathrooms. It had a couch and a couple of arm chairs that I found easier to nuse on, there were only women there, and it wasn't very busy if I was there on a weekday during the day. After you do it a couple of times, you'll start to feel better about it.

blondiemama09 · April 2012

I just did my "real" NIP the other day. We went bowling for a fundraiser for my 10 year old niece's softball team (so it was all little kids there and their parents), and I had to nurse. It actually went pretty good! I wasn't as anxious as I thought I'd be.

I've nurse in dressing rooms and that was completely fine. I've yet to nurse at a restaurant, but I imagine it'll be in my near future (I'm going OOT next week and will probably be eating out a lot ).

mabst196 · April 2012

I started NIPing in places I felt more comfortable. At friends/families houses, the pediatrician office, kid friendly venues. I guarantee most people won't even look at you nor care what you are doing. Try to wear clothes that make you feel most covered that are easy to whip a boob out of.

JuneBug0611 · April 2012

I almost always use a nursing cover (though it is a bit of a hassle, it seems to put EVERYONE at ease, myself included, so I like it... and as DD gets older and more distractable, it's a nice way to help her focus on the task at hand!), but I NIP anywhere and everywhere and have since DD was a couple of weeks old. I'd never get out of the house otherwise, especially early on when they need to nurse all the time. Be sure to wear something very easy to nurse in, like one of the Gillian O'Malley nursing tank tops. That makes a world of difference.

Some of my first NIP experiences were in restaurants (booths are great), in parks (covered up on a park bench), and at church (my church is very progressive so no one minds and in fact people are very supportive). I've never had anyone look at me funny... or maybe only once. Generally people either aren't paying attention or are very supportive and smile approvingly (other moms/grandmothers). Sometimes I'll sit somewhere and pull out my nursing cover, and shortly thereafter another mom will come sit near me and nurse her LO too.

beachgirl24 · April 2012

First, I'm a little confused, just out of curiosity, are your tickers correct or has the new baby been born now and your ticker just hasnt been updated? Either way, congratulatins!

As far as helping your comfort level I would say definitely use a large nursing cover and have someone with you, to sit next to you and "block" for you, help adjust the nursing cover when necessary, etc...maybe that would help you feel less self conscious about it? Also make sure you have everything on hand nearby that you would need (burpcloth, etc). so you dont have to go scrambling for it. Or you could keep practicing in the car until you get fully comfortable with that, then move on to another location. Good luck!

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