when you bf in public...?

grace1404 · November 2012

I'm an expecting ftm who is planning on exclusively breastfeeding, and after reading a few articles online today I realized a lot of people think its "disgusting, creepy, wrong." I guess I never thought of that because I always thought of it as something that is natural...anyway I was just wondering if I should prepare myself for dirty looks, and people coming up and saying things when in public... what has been everyone's experience?

kegallagh · November 2012

Nope, I've never gotten any looks or comments in 2.5 years of nursing.

rnbeth477 · November 2012

I never had any negative experiences with DS. I've heard horror stories though if women getting kicked out of restaurants, negative comments, etc.

GeePee · November 2012

When it comes to what's best for my LO and completely natural then I could care less about comments or looks but honestly I haven't had any bad personal experiences. Don't let it worry you, embrace and enjoy it :-)

PD0323 · November 2012

I haven't had any problems in public at all, quite the opposite, everyone has been very supportive.

BUT, I have had a few problems with my family supporting it. My parents and my IL's all formula fed, so I do struggle with them a bit. Just be proud if you do, and side-eye anyone who doesn't agree.

jennygirlmt · November 2012

I've never had any issues, looks or comments. I'm discreet but I rarely use a cover. Do it and be comfortable with your very good and very natural decision!

DottyBlue · November 2012

I have actually only had positive experiences. People who say "good for you" etc. I do try to make sure to warn people if I am in a more intimate setting and don't have my nursing cover because I know it makes some people uncomfortable, ie I had to feed DS while meeting with a daycare provider the other day, but I have never had someone say "don't feed your kid"

pepomntpat · November 2012

I only once got a dirty look. No one ever SAID anything to me. I wouldn't worry too much about it.

jlsimon56 · November 2012

If people give me dirty looks, I don't notice b/c I was probably looking at my LO.

I wouldn't waste time worrying about this.

jcsumm0 · November 2012

Going on 1.5 years and never had a negative experience. And I never use a cover.

mexicolombiana · November 2012

I have read horror stories too. But I have never once been approached or even looked at for BFing in public. I DARE someone to!

Seriously don't even worry about it and I hope you never have a bad experience. But if you do, know the law in your state and stick to your guns!

jlh2716 · November 2012

Nothing but good experiences here so far, and I live in a pretty conservative, uptight area. I don't use a cover, either.

grace1404 · November 2012

ok thanks everyone for easing my mind!

a13049 · November 2012

My friend had a small issue. Our state law missouri states that women can breastfeed in public, but must use descretion. This has been widely interpreted to mean either find a more private location or use a cover. She was bf in a restaurant and the manager asked if she would mind using a cover or a private location. She used a cover and he said thanks and he was sorry for vein a bother because he believes mothers shouldn't have to worry about a cover

ILoveRunning · November 2012

SandAndsSea:
I think it's absolutely fine to BF in public, but I also think moms should be modest about it and use a cover. I don't think the teenage boys at the next table in the restaurant need to see your breast, even if you are feeding a baby. I BF in public, but always use a cover and try to be discreet about it. I've never had any mean comments. I think it's all in how you BF in public.

I was at a restaurnt with shared table seating (so multiple groups sit together) when DS was 2 months old and there was a lady sitting at the table next to us BF her baby VERY openly without a cover. You could see everything as the baby would pop on and off and she wasn't the least but concerned about modesty. I thought that was a little over the top and other people were commenting about her.

How the heck do you manage to keep your 10 month old under a cover?

DS was done with the cover when he was ~6 months old. I learned how to nurse in public without a cover just fine, and don't think that nursing without one is being indiscrete.

sooner1981 · November 2012

I have an 8.5 EBF LO who occassionally still nurses in public, although now I find it less an issue, because we are usually not out and about when I know it is time for her to eat. Regardless, I have never had a single bad experience, and definitely didn't always use a cover. I live in the reddest of the red states, and never got anything but sweet looks from other moms.

I think this whole "people think BF-ing is disgusting and we have to rise up in protest" thing is way overblown. Almost all my friends BF their kids--some for shorter than others, some using formula to supplement, but BF is, in reality, normal and perceived that way.

blu-eyedwife · November 2012

SandAndsSea:
I think it's absolutely fine to BF in public, but I also think moms should be a little discreet about it or use a cover. I don't think the teenage boys at the next table in the restaurant need to see your breast, even if you are feeding a baby. I BF in public, but always use a cover and try to be discreet about it. I've never had any mean comments. I think it's all in how you BF in public.

I use a cover when I BF, but that's for my personal comfort (I have giant boob/small-headed baby syndrome) and because it keeps my 13.5 month old focused on the task. However, I don't think anyone should criticize another mother on how they choose to feed their child. With/without a cover, at the table, in a car, under a blanket, baring for the world to see. I think it's important that as breastfeeding mothers, heck, as mothers in general we support each other.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with having someone see your breast as your feeding your child. In fact, I would bet that it would be beneficial for teenage boys to be able to see breasts as something other than a sex-toy. I once took a plane ride where the woman breastfed her child the entire time. Walked on to the plane with her breast out and baby suckling, nursed during the flight, and left - again with the baby at her breast. DH and I were a little shocked that a baby could nurse for so long, but no one said anything to her about being inappropriate.

pumpkinwife07 · November 2012

"There is absolutely nothing wrong with having someone see your breast as your feeding your child. In fact, I would bet that it would be beneficial for teenage boys to be able to see breasts as something other than a sex-toy."

I disagree with this. While breastfeeding is natural there is NO reason you need to have both breasts exposed. I believe a mother should have the right to breastfed in public, but you don't need to have them hanging out. And as someone who works with teenagers, I can honestly tell you it wouldn't be beneficial. Teenage boys don't care about breastfeeding, they care about seeing boobs. PERIOD.

pumpkinwife07 · November 2012

"I think this whole "people think BF-ing is disgusting and we have to rise up in protest" thing is way overblown. Almost all my friends BF their kids--some for shorter than others, some using formula to supplement, but BF is, in reality, normal and perceived that way."

This exactly! I wish more people thought this way.

jennyelf · November 2012

I live in a pretty crunchy granola area and have NIP so many places (without a cover as I feel it draws more attention). Apparently I've gotten approving glances from some people (never noticed, was focusing on LO), but no glares or comments so far. I find that w/o a cover and a good nursing shirt, half the people can't even tell what I'm doing. I've had more than one friend come up and pat LO on the head and then figure out that he's eating. Big Smile

kami1977 · November 2012

I'm currently nursing the my second baby and she is definitely not a cover girl. So I mostly nurse her without one. I've never had a negative comment made to me about nursing either of my babies. I did have a waitress come up and touch DD's head before she realized I was feeding her. I think it made her more uncomfortable than anything else.

cfitz16 · November 2012

No, in fact, people usually smile at you. It's a beautiful thing, it's not gross or creepy.

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