Getting comfy BF'ing in public

[kristi96]

The other day I went out to breakfast with my hubby, my two boys, and my newborn DD. My DD was perfectly fine until my food came. As soon as my food came she started crying and wanted to nurse. Well I didn't feel comfy nursing her at the table so I went to the car and nursed her. By the time I got done nursing her my family was done with breakfast. My hubby said why didn't you just nurse her while you ate your breakfast. I just didn't feel comfortable doing it. How long did it take most of you to feel comfortable with nursing in public?

[ald20051]

my baby just turned 4 months and i have a lil but i still never felt ok about it then i asked at one of my breastfeeding support group meetings and she said that think about it as would you like to eat your food in the car or in a bathroom most likely no but i also think hey if someone says something thats on them because you are doing something really great for your lil one and most of the time people dont say a thing and if they do guess what it is your right and if someone tells you not to then tell them that its your right and they can be sued. just practice and you soon will be better i was the same way and now i am doing it everywhere really

[Mocosita]

I didn't get comfy bf in public till ds was about 4-5 months. It was more him being able to latch on quickly and still being discreet. he's 19 months and we are still nursing, even in public. Most people hardly notice and those who do, usually give an approving nod. Give it some time, you'll grow into it.

[Becca75]

You could try practicing at home in front of a mirror. You'll be surprised at how little you show when nursing! Don't worry, you'll be a pro in no time!

[Peeka2]

Yea, I second everyone else. Very few people acually notice what you are doing. I nursed my ds at our county fair sitting on benches surrounded by people. No one really paid any attention.

[Peeka2]

btw a sling really helps. :)

[Shaunsmom]

Practice practice practice (and some self-confidence really helps). I say self-confidence because if you practice at home...you can talk yourself into bfing in public.

Don't worry about having a blanket to cover the baby's head with. That is truly unnecessary. Most times people around you are unable to tell you are bfing.

It took me about 2 months to be comfortable to nurse in public- if I "had" to. By 3 months, I was happily bfing in public. I was/am more worried about flashing someone my belly flab than exposing a nipple. Weird, I know:)

I did not bf our son in public. It was shameful and I didn't have the knowledge that I do now about it "being okay" to bf in public. I was determined to bf our DD in public and am very successful but it also took lots of practice and talking myself into it.

[smllfry]

I have got to tell you that I am so jealous that your husband is so supportive. I have no problem BFing in public but if my husband is with me he won't let me. If we are shopping and she is hungry I will tell him I'm going to look in another aisle and feed her away from him, still shopping. The sling does help a lot. There are some nice shawls that might make you feel better too.

[kristi96]

I bought a sling rider from Target and I don't see how its even possible to nurse. I have the straps pulled up very high and my DD still hangs down to low for me to nurse. She does love to be carried around in it.

[spooky_bubble_tea]

I got used to feeding my son, Jude in public when he was a little over a month.
He loved to get hungry while I would be grocery shopping, and I couldn't leave the cart half-full to run and feed him in the car so I just fed him there.

I won't say that people don't notice, because I think they do. One of the most common things I get though is people will stare for a second then quickly look away when they realize I'm nursing. I also get some that just blatenly stare, but I have yet to actually get any comments.

My husband is mainly embaressed for me, he doesn't want anyone to see my boobs. He trys to put every reciving blanket he can find over me when we all go out. Haha Jude has been pulling down the reciving blankets though now that he's older.

I just figure that Jude's health is much more important that someone accidentaly seeing my boob.

And I will agree with Shaunsmom, I didn't want people staring at the deflated ballon that had become of my tummy.

[SingingMom]

I bought a sling rider from Target and I don't see how its even possible to nurse. I have the straps pulled up very high and my DD still hangs down to low for me to nurse. She does love to be carried around in it.


A different type of sling would probably be easier to use for nursing. For instance, a pouch sling is usually pretty easy to adjust for nursing. If you're super careful about checking to make sure it's secure, a big pareo tied at the shoulder works really well.
Here's a picture:
http://www.wearyourbaby.com/Default.aspx?tabid=84

Also, a cross wrap is pretty handy. I favor the "big long piece of fabric" wrap, myself, which you can see here:

http://www.wearyourbaby.com/Default.aspx?tabid=180

[michaelsmommy]

I had to say to myself that I will not cover up, I am doing nothing wrong. Eventually I simply didnt care about NIP. Its funny b/c I am a shy person and wont do much that other people see in public but this is one thing I had no problem with.

[Maret00]

I have never had that problem at first I covered up because I wasnt sure of the law but once I figured it out it was all exsposed! I also found some nice shirts at Gap.com that are nursing shirts and have great openings at the breast so it makes everyone happy. I live in Arizona and was not about to hide my baby under a blanket when it was hot and I dont like to be covered.

[rrodemaker75]

I'm blessed with an inability to care what other people think about me nursing my child in public. I'm doing what's best for them and if they don't like it, tough!

Kristi, I'm not sure what kind of sling you have, but I nursed easily in my ring sling. I found lots of advice on the web. Just google "How to use a ring sling" and I got lots of different ideas about how to use it, including how to nurse. It's definetly a saving grace for busy moms!

[zannadanna]

My DD is 3 mos old and because of her refusal to take a bottle and my cabin-fever, I've learned to BF in public. I still won't nurse in a sit-down restaurant. In fact, if I'm in a fast-food type place, I'll find the quietest corner and use a nursing cover ("hooter hider"). Like you, I would have gone to the car if DD couldn't wait for me to eat. It's great that your DH is supportive... mine gets a little uncomfortable. He's supportive of bf'ing in general, just not when he's with me in public. LOL

Good luck... you'll get there!

[GirlsMama]

Everyone is different with their comfort level. I didn't nurse my first daughter in public often, but nursed my second daughter in public all the time, now with my third I rarely nurse her in public. I am big on going out to the car to nurse and I've nursed over 8 years total so far. Nursing in public is fine if you want to do it, but it is not necessary in making you a good mom. :)

[chaosKOSMOS]

It took me a couple of kids to finally be comfortable with BF in public.

With my 1st DS, I was surrounded by other moms who all were in the same mind-set of having to BF in a different room or in a restroom. I thought that was how it was supposed to be, and it never occured to me that anyone else would never use a restroom to eat their food.

With DS2, I thought I had the system beat by just nursing at home, rushing out and not taking longer than 2 hrs, and then nurse as soon as I got home. I would actually get upset if I had to cut things short to feed him in the hot car :(

With DS3 and DD, I just finally said "screw it" and thought if anyone has a problem with me feeding my kids, they're going to get more than an ear full. So now, I just go out whenever, and if DD is hungry, she's eating. Some people do give me funny looks once in a while, but I've been told I give a pretty mean glare, and I'm guessing it works, 'cause as soon as I shoot it, people look away quickly as if they never noticed :D

[Maret00]

I just did it. I covered up at first but after my son learned peek-a-boo at about 4mo and it was a pain tring to keep him nursing so F#$% that and I havent cared since. My mom doesnt care if I nurse but thinks I should cover up I have never been big on covering up. My buber sticker says "Normalize breastfeeding Nurse in public"

[Aleida]

Good idea, Becca75, nursing in front of a mirror first. I will try this next time round (due in Jan....can't wait!)

[Christal32284]

It took me about 2 months to be comfortable to nurse in public- if I "had" to. By 3 months, I was happily bfing in public. I was/am more worried about flashing someone my belly flab than exposing a nipple. Weird, I know:)


LOL
Me too! I figure people are probably more embarrased than I am if they see a nipple. But havin my belly exposed is another story. Thank god for Tank tops!

[br-end-a]

You just kind of have to do it. Dont think about it. DH at first would tell me COVER UP! and would rush with a blanket. But ..nobody is really looking. I started BFing in public at about 4 or 3 weeks I believe because that was the first time I had to. There were a couple time when he was weeks old that I did it in the car before or after a doctors appt but that was flu season so I didnt want him eating in there.

Just forget everyone around you! Even if they look, pride yourself in doing so. Youre doing the best for your baby. Trust me, nobody even stops to look, especially is youre eating, they are interested in food!

[proverbs31woman]

I have got to tell you that I am so jealous that your husband is so supportive. I have no problem BFing in public but if my husband is with me he won't let me. If we are shopping and she is hungry I will tell him I'm going to look in another aisle and feed her away from him, still shopping. The sling does help a lot. There are some nice shawls that might make you feel better too.

My husband has a problem with it as well. If he didn't have a problem with it then I'd definitely pull out the boob and feed my dd in public. I don't see any problem with it as long as your breasts are covered.

[ninejr]

I was/am more worried about flashing someone my belly flab than exposing a nipple. Weird, I know:)


That is totally me, I have a bunch of tank tops that I bought at goodwill and just cut holes in to nurse so that there is alway something covering my tummy.

I started nursing in public from pretty much the very beginning. It took me about 2 months to get good at it. I tried to use a cover but I didn't always have it with me and at about 5 months she started pulling it off anyway. With my second daughter I just started out right away nursing in public and although I have a cover in my diaper bag I rarely use it.

I have nursed in both a ring sling and a Moby Wrap, the ring sling is really easy to nurse in.

[arenalunt]

I'd have to agree with everyone it took me awhile to be able to nurse it public and not care. My husband told me well she is hungry feed her who cares what other people think if they say something they will be the ones in trouble not you, your doing nothing wrong but being a good mommy. Althought he dont want anyone to see my boobs but if im feeding no one will see it anyway. Im like some of you other ladies, more embarrassed bout my belly showing then my boob....LOL

[arenalunt]

That is totally me, I have a bunch of tank tops that I bought at goodwill and just cut holes in to nurse so that there is alway something covering my tummy..
Not a bad idea.....I might have to do that:hugegrin:

[PerfectingMotherhood]

It takes a little while, mostly until you become a pro at nursing your baby and doing something else at the same time, like eating. I covered myself out of decency, but also because my first born got VERY distracted and constantly stopped nursing to look around him, and I had to constantly put him back on the breast. If you're uncomfortable, just cover with a light cloth and enjoy your meal. Your baby will be tasting it at the next feeding!
http://perfectingmotherhood.wordpress.com/

[joseiha]

wow does this sound familiar! when my son was 1.5 months old we drove from california to wisconsin, stayed with family for a month and then moved to illinois(my husband is navy and we were in the middle of moving and holiday leave) needless to say my truck became my nursing spot. I feed so many times in my truck i cant even count. I still do to this day. And they always seem to plan it just right to get fussy right when ur about to eat!!! but i would do the same as you i would go out to my truck and nurse and miss the whole dinning experience. after a while i just knew id miss it all and tell my husband to box it up. this was in the middle of winter in wisconsin too!! i still dont feel comfortable in a resturant. I have no problem with nursing in public or nudity for that matter. to me its just a boob. but i do have respect for those eating. i think its rediculous that nursing is such a foreign idea in america but the reality is, it is. so i never wanted to disturb their meal. it comes to a point tho, your hungry, ur babies hungry, and everyone else is hungry... why cant we all eat together. i say as long as your being respectful about it hten its more than fine. i find wearing a tank top under my shirt covers my belly and my top shirt covers most of my boob. nothings realling showing for more than i min. It does take time to get used to otheers looking at you twice when they realize what you are doing. the more you understand its a natural thing and thats what is suppost to be happening the easier it gets.

[gilsnellie22]

OMG, I can't explain enough how I know exactly what you are talking about. It has been such a struggle for me. My lo is 4 months now and I still get terrified. I have btw nursed her wherever and whenever! In fact the other day she was in my sling at Michaels and started crying. No one was looking and i realized i can kinda hide myself in this sling so yes, I walked around Michaels feeding her. Yes, I was terrified. I panic once in a while and its the craziest thing, she can tell when I am panicky because the more terrified I am the more upset she gets. I have had my up's and down's. Good days and bad. When I feel like I am back to the point where I am ok with it all something silly happens like my brother in law wouldn't be in the same room as me AT MY HOUSE if I was breastfeeding. And it psyched me out to think "what if EVERYONE feels that way OMG" Anyways, I hate to babble but I am so excited I am not the ONLY ONE!