Nursing in public...

drbethc · August 2012

I EBF and LO has a hard time taking a bottle from me. He cries until he gets nursed. I am still nursing about every 2 hours. And recently I have been nursing with nursing cover in waiting rooms (dr's office) and have nursed in the car. I noticed how uncomfortable other people get when they see me nursing. I have not nursed at the mall or anywhere else more public like restaurants etc...Has anyone else and what has your experience been like?

TRN87 · August 2012

I have nursed in restaurants/coffee shops, in an oasis, in a parking lot with the doors open, at a park. I used a nursing cover or a blanket. I am a very modest person and was at first super uncomfortable with it, but after a few times I got over it, I was covered and didn't make a big deal about it. I figure I am doing something great for my baby so I don't really care what other people think. But I have to say no one really seemed to notice at all, or at least didn't let me know they did.

khill86 · August 2012

I haven't noticed anyone being uncomfortable with it, but I also live in a region that is pushing a "baby friendly" initiative. Which really means promoting EBF for two years and beyond and breastfeeding in public. There are signs everywhere.

I was even BF once and some teen boys walked past. I thought for sure I'd get a look or hear some comment, and there was nothing. It definitely makes it easier to just go for it. The big shopping mall in our area even has a breastfeeding room, separate from the family bathroom. It's pretty amazing.

strawberrytree · August 2012

I have been lucky and had great experiences with NIP. If I can I try to nurse him in the car before we go somewhere just because it's easier for me to lean back and relax there, but I've nursed all over. Restaurants, beach, park, mall, hairdresser's (in the actual chair while getting my hair done for a wedding- LO was under the cover thing so no hairspray got on him, and the hairdresser told me I was not the first client she'd had nurse through her appointment!).

I also live in an area where BF is heavily encouraged, so that might be part of it too. I've never gotten any looks or comments or anything like that from people. I'm confident about it now that it wouldn't bother me if I did, but if someone had had a negative reaction when I was first starting it would have made me a lot more apprehensive. Luckily, the only time anyone ever had a reaction to me was when an older lady came up to me to tell me I was doing a great job and to keep it up. I don't use a cover since I feel they just attract more attention- I use a blanket when he latches on and off but other than that it just looks like I'm snuggling him.

ReginaLV · August 2012

I breastfed while walking around the grocery store! I have the same issue as you, LO doesn't really like taking a bottle. Honestly though, even if she was ok with bottles, I'd still rather NIP. So much more convenient. One guy looked a little uncomfy, but I don't think many others in the store realized I was nursing her. I covered up with a receiving blanket.

Samiantha101 · August 2012

I don't particularly like nursing in public. My baby, as of quite recently, is getting half formula half breastmilk. Before I started ff, I've had to nurse in some very public places. The most uncomfortable spot was on a plane. I almost killed my husband when he tried to insist that I sit in the middle. I know breastfeeding in public is acceptable, afterall we're providing our. children with their form of food. I still don't like it. I don't get weird looks, or at least I havent noticed, but it's uncomfortable.

ReginaLV · August 2012

Samiantha101:
I don't particularly like nursing in public. My baby, as of quite recently, is getting half formula half breastmilk. Before I started ff, I've had to nurse in some very public places. The most uncomfortable spot was on a plane. I almost killed my husband when he tried to insist that I sit in the middle. I know breastfeeding in public is acceptable, afterall we're providing our. children with their form of food. I still don't like it. I don't get weird looks, or at least I havent noticed, but it's uncomfortable.

I'm still uncomfortable with NIP too. I need to get over it though because I've basically holed myself up in the house these past 10 weeks... I just don't know how. I guess it'll just take time and practice. I'm mainly worried over how I'll react if someone gives me a hard time. I would probably cry!

jamiah18 · August 2012

khill86:
I haven't noticed anyone being uncomfortable with it, but I also live in a region that is pushing a "baby friendly" initiative. Which really means promoting EBF for two years and beyond and breastfeeding in public. There are signs everywhere. I was even BF once and some teen boys walked past. I thought for sure I'd get a look or hear some comment, and there was nothing. It definitely makes it easier to just go for it. The big shopping mall in our area even has a breastfeeding room, separate from the family bathroom. It's pretty amazing.

Wow, that's awesome!

The bravest I've been so far has been in my car and at a state park, using a cover.

acbfreire · August 2012

I have a cover but it attracts more looks than not using it. I cover the top of my breasts with a receiving blanket and it just looks like I am carrying LO.

I got some amazing nursing tops at Motherhood, so I feel confident that nothing is showing.

kincaid44 · August 2012

I nurse everywhere that I need to (with a cover). I go to a coffee shop once a week to meet a friend and have nursed every time. I've nursed in restaurants, at the grocery store, anywhere where he needs it. I just try not to make eye contact with people when I'm doing it, that way I don't even notice if people are looking at me weird! I've not had any problems yet.

tcu_2003 · August 2012

I've nursed at the mall in some chairs in front of a department store, church, fast food and sit-down restaurants, the car sitting in a gas station parking lot, doctor's office waiting rooms, and at play group. Usually I use a nursing cover, but not always, and I haven't gotten any comments. Honestly, I don't think most people notice and if they do, oh well. Nothing is showing, and I can promise they'd rather me nurse DS than listen to him scream when he's hungry. I was definitely nervous about it the first few times, but now I'm used to it.

My advice is to hang in there - it does get easier!

piedpiper07 · August 2012

I'm a very shy person and my experience has been that the nursing cover really attracts attention. I nursed at the mall yesterday with no cover but my shirt covered everything except where his mouth was. No one even noticed I was feeding him. So I'm more apt to just forget the cover.

Starbear06 · August 2012

I have nursed in public mostly in women's lounges and always using the cover. I would like to ditch the cover because it makes for more things to carry around and also make LO hot. The only problem is I don't think I can not use a cover. LO is a fussy eater and quite often unlatches therefore exposing parts.

drbethc · August 2012

Starbear06:
I have nursed in public mostly in women's lounges and always using the cover. I would like to ditch the cover because it makes for more things to carry around and also make LO hot. The only problem is I don't think I can not use a cover. LO is a fussy eater and quite often unlatches therefore exposing parts.

this is me too...

drbethc · August 2012

Starbear06:
I have nursed in public mostly in women's lounges and always using the cover. I would like to ditch the cover because it makes for more things to carry around and also make LO hot. The only problem is I don't think I can not use a cover. LO is a fussy eater and quite often unlatches therefore exposing parts.

this is me too...

stepper1725 · August 2012

I've NIP fairly regularly, at restaurants, the park, church. I nursed walking down the street the other day, with a cover, and got a comment about how sweet it was. I live in a very pro-BF area.

I also nursed on the plane sitting in the middle seat between a teenage boy and a middle aged woman. She looked at me a little funny at first, but then just started talking about how sad she was that she didn't nurse her children because no one in her family supported it. I think the teenager might have been weirded out, but I'm sure everyone else on the plane was just happy DD wasn't screaming : )

caeraRose · August 2012

I was very nervous about NIP at first, but I got over it pretty quickly - I really hate being cooped up in the house even during the day, so I want to get out when DH gets home. DD is also fairly well-behaved as long as her tummy is full, so I learned pretty quickly that as long as I could feed her while we were out and about, she was going to be just fine in public. I tried covering her with a blanket for awhile, but she didn't like the material on her face so she wouldn't eat as well. For the past 3ish weeks, I haven't been covering up when she eats, and I've really only been uncomfortable once - there was a middle-aged guy that just sat and stared the whole time. No one has ever said anything, though, and that guy was the only person that didn't seem comfortable with it.

Sigir · August 2012

acbfreire:
I have a cover but it attracts more looks than not using it.

Ita with this. I nip everywhere and never use a cover. And nothing shows. Most people think I am just holding the baby. I think the covers draw so much attn to it and make people more uncomfortable than doing it without.

Btw I am nip in a hotel lobby as I write this!!! I say drop the cover and you'll be surprised how you blend into the background !!!!

JuneBugBaby2012 · August 2012

I nurse everywhere we go with a cover. I don't care who knows there is a baby eating under there so if there is more attention I guess that's ok. Plus a cover allows me to get things situated (taking out pad. adjusting my bra, and my body) before latching LO. I've tried without a cover and I always end up struggling to keep my privacy (especially trying to get it out and latch). And if he falls asleep I leave him covered up and he's nice and cozy. I suggest practicing by a mirror with or without a cover. That way you can see what other people might.

Sawyerplus1 · August 2012

This is my 3rd LO (2nd one that I've nursed) and honestly I've gotten more comfortable with it as time's gone on. I was pretty modest and uncomfortable with my DD, but now I dont care. I'll still cover up at other peoples homes or if there are men present but I'm not too concerned otherwise. My baby has a right and a need to eat, and all I'm doing is feeding my baby. I'm not naked or obscene, and if people are uncomfortable they can excuse themselves briefly, or get over it and just avoid looking at my breasts. I've nursed on the beach (using LOs wide brimmed sun hat as cover), at the park, etc. I've even nursed on a walk while wearing LO.

acbfreire · August 2012

Sawyerplus1:
This is my 3rd LO (2nd one that I've nursed) and honestly I've gotten more comfortable with it as time's gone on. I was pretty modest and uncomfortable with my DD, but now I dont care. I'll still cover up at other peoples homes or if there are men present but I'm not too concerned otherwise. My baby has a right and a need to eat, and all I'm doing is feeding my baby. I'm not naked or obscene, and if people are uncomfortable they can excuse themselves briefly, or get over it and just avoid looking at my breasts. I've nursed on the beach (using LOs wide brimmed sun hat as cover), at the park, etc. I've even nursed on a walk while wearing LO.

couldn't agree more! I don't know why NIP is such a big deal, it's what nature intended, we are mammals!

Sun hats for LO are awesome as a cover when we are at the park.

MrsCAA · August 2012

If i'm at the mall or a store I usually go to a dressing room. (Esp because I also have DS#1 with me and the mirror keeps him entertained)

But I've nurse on a mall bench, in the food court, at resturants... I always us a cover if i'm out and try to be discret. I sit so that I have at least one wall behind me is possible. And I've never had any bad looks. The biggest attention I've gotten is DS#1 saying very loudly "Mommy feeds baby under her shirt!" 2 years olds have not volume control, and he says it so innocently.

Gismo123 · September 2012

I nurse in public all the time. I am at a family's lake house right now for the Holiday and we all went to the beach. I nursed 3 times and without a cover...DS screams if I try to use one. I'm not shy and if someone doesn't like it oh well that's their problem not mine :

SugarhillHnA · September 2012

If baby is hungry, I nurse him no matter where I am. I've NIP at the mall, playground, pool, beach, numerous restaurants, in church, at my in-laws, on planes, at picnics, the zoo, the aquarium, in Target, and the grocery store...okay, you get the picture. Sometimes I get smiles from other knowing and understanding parents, sometimes I get blatant stares, sometimes I get the side/stink eye and a nose turned up at me. I used to get offended or care but after baby #2 I don't. I'm just doing what's natural and think it's sad that the US is so obsessed with nursing a baby. Boobs are for making milk...we as a society objectify them as sex objects.

Want a personalized experience?

Nursing in public...

Re: Nursing in public...

Choose Another Board

Search Boards