How can I feel more comfortable about breastfeeding in public?

Question

I have a 7 week old baby and I usually pump some milk to make bottles if I am going to be going out. But sometimes she is still hungry after she is done with all the bottles so I try to breastfeed her in public. I have a shall (hooter hider), but it's a little hard to pull my shirt up, pull my boob out and try to get her to latch under the shall-- and then walk around too! When I finally get her on then after a few min. she gets fussy (b/c I am assuming she is uncomfortable b/c I am uncomfortable). What can I do to feel more comfortable to make sure she is happy? And how can I make sure that I can still walk around and get things done all at the same time? Any tips or advice would be great. Also, are there any other things I can use to breastfeed in public besides the shall and sling? Thanks.

Answer 1

I always cover with a blanket while I am breast feeding. Yeah most people will stare but it dont bother me!

Answer 2

Your walking around while breastfeeding? Maybe you should try and find somewhere where you can sit for a few minutes to feed then continue on your way. Maybe attempt to bring some extra breast milk in the bottles. Anyway good luck.

EDIT: Look I wasen't saying don't breastfeed in public geeze. Why did you people thumbs down me? I suggested finding somewhere to sit and feed. Which many other people suggested too. The post already said that they bring bottles so I just suggested bringing more. I don't understand what the problem is.

Answer 3

First of all--it's everyone else's hangup--it shouldn't be yours.

I didn't make an everyday practice of it, but I breastfed in public--at Universal Studios, at Disney (both in public and in their handy nursing rooms), at Busch Gardens, at the mall, at the beach.  I used a shawl or baby blanket, wore a nursing bra and top, and pretty much acted like the Nursing Queen of the World.  Guess what--I NEVER had a negative experience even one time during the 14 months--unless you count my husband being mortified the first few times.  My son was a very heavy feeder too--so it seemed like he was latched on 24/7.  I was uncomfortable at first--like all of a sudden I had these DDDD b***s and I felt like I was giving a free show everywhere I went, but no one seemed to mind.  Really.  Simple as that.

I do wish I had had a sling though.  I see nursing moms use this in public all the time--with it cinched up tight and covering everything, you can walk right through the grocery store and no one but the other moms seem to know you're feeding.  I see this at my market all the time.  It's no big deal.

The only way we're gonna make the general public get over themselves is to act like it's no big deal ourselves.   It's our right and privilege as mothers.  I say:  tell everyone else to back off!

Good luck!

Answer 4

I always wear my maternity bra then a singlet then another top. The top goes up the singlet comes down so that the only area exposed is the bit that needs to be (not that it is actually exposed anyways). You might find it easier if you go to a quiet place (parent's room) to get organised. If you don't have time to stay there for the whole feed, just use it so you can get comfy and let your daughter settle before you go about your business.

Answer 5

I usually go to a private place or a corner, turn around, put him on the breast and make sure Im comfortable before turning around again. If someone looks at me funny I will ask do you mind if I nurse in front of you? I will in no way take my baby off the breast if the person says no, but I do tell them that my baby is hungry and its a law in my state that protects my breastfeeding rights. I also am shy, but my 10 week old will not take bottles or a pacifier... so I have to give him the breast when he's hungry - and that's that. But most of the time people dont even notice you are feeding as long as you dont look down at them. The hooter hider prob makes it a little more obvious though... I just carry a baby blanket and then cover his whole body and head as if he is swaddled like baby Jesus. People then just think hes sleeping... unless he starts making smacking sounds like he did last night LOL!

Answer 6

Relax. It is your right to breastfeed your baby where ever you are legally allowed to be. Keep in mind you are doing the right thing for baby and forget about who might be looking  at your b***s. With that mindset you'll be vastly more comfortable.

Answer 7

practice and company.  there is strength in numbers.

Answer 8

Other than a shawl and sling I would recommend a shirt with buttons that you can un button from the top, and a nursing bra makes things very easy. I have never tried to walk around while nursing however, so I have no advice for that........

Answer 9

Well, the shawl is a great start, but I found walking around & nursing at the same time was really difficult. At that stage (7 wks), I'd only ever go out to get things done right after a feeding, so feeding while out wasn't as much of an issue. Also, one to two errands was plenty to have to do all at once; after that, you risk meltdown anyway (still true at age two).

If I did need to breastfeed, I took the time out to just SIT and RELAX and take the time that was needed to get him settled. Is anything else really worth the need to rush around and cut feedings short? I think you'll both be happier and more content if you just take the time you need with it.