December 2015 Moms
Ozzy453
member
How do you deal with breastfeeding in public?
Ozzy453
member
Yes I am a young mom. Yes I am at sitting in this quiet area breastfeeding. No this is not to me trying to give everyone a preview/sneak peek. No I cant wait until i get home, this isnt about me. My baby doesn't know why we have to wait yet. He doesnt even know that eating, sleeping, and pooping at the same time are not habits he should have growing up - one at a time! Sometimes this feels like someone pulling with pliers. My question to you? methods for breastfeeding? Can you control the urge?
Re: How do you deal with breastfeeding in public?
I think some of the points you raised may be more your thing than the people around you. It can seem like we're being judged if we're already nervous to start.
What do you mean methods for breastfeeding? In public? You could try getting a carrier or wrap. It's more private that way. But the method itself is no different than at home.
I am discreet, or at least I'd like to think I am. Nursing tanks (imho) are the easiest and most discreet way to nurse. I wear them every day.
That being said, I do live in Europe where people aren't so weird about breast feeding. What is it with us Americans and our bodies?? It must be our Puritan roots.
Personally I breastfeed in the car because DD has decided she needs absolute quiet. It hasn't worked out yet that I can try one of the awesome mother's rooms that are becoming more common around town.
It's come up in discussions before but unfortunately breastfeeding in public still isn't a social norm. (There's also censoring telling us breasts and especially nipples are naughty bits not to be seen.) People see anything outside the expected norm and they tend to be shocked. The only thing for it is for women to continue to bf in public.
Previously I just prepared bottles.
But no you shouldn't be making your baby wait. It's not an urge it's a need.
I second the PP about nursing ranks. They keep your belly covered and allow you easy access to your boobs.
You have to do what is best for you and your baby and what you feel comfortable with. If you are comfortable nursing while out and about DO SO. I carry a wallet sized index card with my state's law protecting nursing mother's printed on it and also has a hotline to call with negative or positive comments and where a representative explains the law in case someone really gets all up in my business about it (so far I've never had to use it). Most times if someone is staring at you if you make a point to single them out and tell them how rude they are being they back off and leave you alone. They may say something ignorant and then it is your call whether you want to respond with something witty or just let it go. Bottom line is you're feeding your baby which means you are being an excellent mother.
Might be easier for me to say that since its an offence to ask a nursing mother to leave a public area where I'm from
However I I still can't seem to nurse in front of my inlaws...even with a cover I just feel so awkward about it..that will be the next hurdle I guess.
Ive found people to be very understanding when I need to feed my DD but usually nurse in the car. Last week I has getting my follow up 2hr blood work done as I had GD and they were amazing. Offered me a room half way through so I could nurse even though I said I was ok in the waiting room. I think sometimes people feel insecure nursing so we assume we are being judged etc.
https://breastfeedinglaw.com