public nursing

allstagg · December 2015

so, i have terrible anxiety about leaving the house with LO. he can feed anywhere between 1hr to every 3 hours, but usually eats every 1hr 45 minutes. he is 10.5 weeks old.

i worry that when we are out (at a restaurant or at the mall shopping for christmas gifts), that LO will get hungry and i will have to feed him. there have been times where i left the restaurant and sat in the car to nurse and left my husband in the restaurant by himself for 45 minutes (he is a very unattentive nurser and falls asleeps a lot so it takes a long time to nurse him).

what are your thoughts about nursing in public if a nursing cover is used? are there inappropriate places to nurse your baby even with a cover such as a restaurant? or bookstore? or anything?

chelseaepley · December 2015

I see a lot of women nursing in public. Myself, I'm not comfortable with it yet since ds is only 3 weeks old and I have trouble holding him to the breast without a pillow or support. But I'm working on it. I don't think there's an inappropriate place to nurse if you're covered. Some women don't even cover but I'm not that woman! But nurse your baby if its hungry!

cararie · December 2015

Absolutely nurse your little one if he's hungry! Legally speaking, you are allowed to nurse anywhere in public that you are legally allowed to be, even without a cover. I know exactly what you mean about feeling anxious to leave the house because of nursing in public fears but you just need to force yourself! I'm still getting comfortable nursing DD in public but we started small with visits to Mom-mom and Pop-pop's house for long enough that we had to nurse several times. Also try practicing with a nursing cover at home so you and LO are used to and comfortable with it before going out in public (in my experience it takes some time to get the hang of situating and latching LO while covered). Finally, many public places are making dedicated mother rooms for nursing and pumping moms... But if not I find fitting rooms to be pretty comfortable places to nurse in privacy! Good luck momma!

sillypuddy143 · December 2015

Are you able to pump so that LO could take a bottle while you are out? Also my LO will never take a bottle from me, so if I'm planning on say going to dinner, I will arrive 15-20 minutes early and feed him In the car before going in. This usually tides him over long enough! Feeding in public does get easier when they are older as well. My son is 4 months and I can get him on pretty discreetly. There was no way though in those first two months, he was just too unpredictable. Good luck!

jenniferamcooper · December 2015

I definitely suggest getting comfortable with BFing in public slowly. Not sure how old your LO is but if your BFing is established I have been reccomending to my friends to buy a giant infinity scary and wear a cardigan and tank top. The combo basically looks like you're holding the baby but also allows you to see the latch if need be. Try it at home first and see how you feel about it, then maybe try it somewhere like a cafe where you can be at the back and face away from everyone.
Once you get the hang of it it's really easy to BF discreetly, most people will think you're holding a sleeping baby.

valerie1132 · December 2015

It's nerve wracking at first but it gets easier! And honestly if it's being discreet that you worry about, think about this-how many times have you noticed a mom nursing in public? I never have! But I would recommend the two shirt thing, one to cover your belly, lift the top one to cover your chest, and baby covers nipple. Also-if you are on Facebook, look up breastfeeding mama talk. That page gives a lot of support and it has really helped me! Good luck!

NurseRieger · December 2015

Medela camisoles are nice for under a sweat or another shirt so if you lift up a shirt your stomach isn't exposed. I use a receiving blanket to cover up with, didn't bother with nursing covers. I'm not crazy about BFing in public so I'd rather pump a bottle beforehand which is good at room temperature for 5 hours so that makes life easier for me.

krissyberb · December 2015

You've gotten some great advice! My LO won't take a bottle from me and won't tolerate a nursing cover. I do the 2 shirt method. I got my nursing tanks at Target. I was uncomfortable at first too, but once you've done it a few times you'll feel more relaxed. I really appreciate the freedom!

jenniferamcooper · December 2015

The two shirt method is great I always wear a cami and a shirt but mostly wore button up or a stretchy one and left my shirt as-is (with a scarf) and kinda popped my boob out as baby was latching. I found pulling up my shirt created bunchy fabric at the top and it was hard to hold up and see my little guy.

Chichigo · December 2015

The appropriate places to nurse your baby in public are: wherever you are with a hungry baby. I nursed my son during his baptism while the priest was anointing his head with oil (I would have delayed a few minutes had I realized, but the priest didn't care.)

I use the two shirt method and add a scarf or cardigan if feeling uncomfortable. I loved nursing with my son in a ring sling when he was tiny. Attending breastfeeding support groups such as La Leche League really helped me feel more comfortable nursing in public. Personally, I don't like nursing covers--i don't think a baby needs to be covered to eat in public. But do what makes you feel most comfortable.

kristyn831 · December 2015

I nurse anywhere and everywhere. It took until he latched well at 8 weeks or so to be comfortable and effortless. I usually just use a receiving blanket to cover myself, the baby doesn't like being covered so I don't use the nursing cover.

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