What is proper etiquette for breastfeeding in public?

Question

My husband and I are trying to conceive, and when I do have a baby I plan on breastfeeding. But I'm curious as to where women can breastfeed. I mean babies need to eat alot, and if I have to take the baby out somewhere I'll need to feed him/her and I may not be in a place that has privacy. So if I cover myself up can I breastfeed in public? Are there laws to protect breastfeeding mothers?

Answer 1

Here in Australia, most big places - like shopping centres - have parents rooms where they supply chairs to breast feed in, some have a couple of private booths for more shy mothers. But in general there is only really mothers in there that are either changing their baby's or feeding them. Otherwise if you aren't really feeling that confident with it you can try to find a fairly quiet corner with a chair, or try your best to cover yourself up. I find the bonds maternity singlets with the built in bras to excellent. You get all the convenience of a maternity bra built into a singlet. So when you lift your shirt up to feed  your baby your tummy remains covered by the singlet, your baby covers the breast and the shirt covers the top of your breast.

A good thing to remember is its all good and well to think that you can just cover up with a blanket etc, but your baby may not like that, and as your baby grows and gets older they get interested in everything else happening around them and will pull off your breast randomly to see whats happening around them. Which is frustrating for you and can be embarrassing if they pull off at the wrong time! Sometimes for the sake of your sanity its easier to just express and bottle feed.  

Answer 2

Proper etiquette is to nurse your child when he's hungry!  :)

Women can breastfeed basically anywhere.  Most states have at least SOME laws protecting it.  Look up your state here:  http://www.ncsl.org/programs/health/brea...  

There will be the occasional dimwitted trolls who harass you about nursing though, so be prepared!

You can cover up if you want and it makes you feel more comfortable.  Never let ANYONE push you into it; breastfeeding is nothing to be ashamed of.  It's a beautiful, healthful act of love and nourishment.  :)

Good luck!

**There is a cool "cover" that doesn't hide your baby under a big old tent or blanket (heck, I wouldn't want to eat under a hot blanket, so why subject a baby to it??).  It's called the Slurp & Burp, and it helps you make any outfit a nursing outfit!  Check it out:

http://www.slurpburp.com/

Edit:  BARF.  I just read Ann's response.  How uneducated and ridiculous..."bottels" LOL!!!!!

Edit2:  LOL Ann, comparing p**p to breastmilk???!!  You must be kidding me.  Breast milk is alive and miraculous, and is used to treat burn victims and even cancer patients!  Drop me an email if you happen to hear p**p is being used like that...

We are mammals, with MAMMARY glands designed to feed our children.  It's contemporary Western culture that has twisted b*****s' main function into a sexual one alone.  It's appalling that b*****s (mostly massive fake ones) are used to sell cars, beer, Doritos, etc and no one thinks twice, but a nursing mom who is fully clothed and NOT trying to show herself is treated with scorn and disgust.  People like you are appallingly rude and stupid.

Answer 3

you can and should breastfeed in public. Depending on where you live, there are laws protecting you. in my state, michigan, it is not illegal to expose any part of your breast or nipple while breastfeeding.  you dont have to cover yourself up but you can if you want. I did when my baby was smaller but now she would just rip it off her head, she likes to see everything

Answer 4

Depends on where you live as to if there are laws regarding this.  

It also depends on what you are comfortable with.  I, for one, can't STAND people staring at me.  So, while I was breastfeeding my son, I would always to go a private area, usually out to my car, feed him, and then go back to whatever I was doing.  However, the one time that I wasn't able to get to a private area to feed him, I just sat down and covered myself up.  :)

Answer 5

It is all about being discreet about the way you feed and it will take practise to manage it but you can manage it. I found a vest top with a loose blouse over the top worked really well.  Most of the time people will not even realise what you are doing and to be honest if they do then they are looking far too closely.

Answer 6

these are the laws pertaining to illinois:

Ill. Rev. Stat. ch. 705 § 305/10.3 (2005) amends the Jury Act.  Provides that any mother nursing her child shall, upon her request, be excused from jury duty.

Ill. Rev. Stat. ch. 740 § 137 (2004) creates the Right to Breastfeed Act.  Provides that a mother may breastfeed her baby in any location, public or private, where the mother is otherwise authorized to be; a mother who breastfeeds in a place of worship shall follow the appropriate norms within that place of worship. (SB 3211)

Ill. Rev. Stat. ch. 820 § 260 (2001) creates the Nursing Mothers in the Workplace Act.  Requires that employers provide reasonable unpaid break time each day to employees who need to express breast milk. The law also requires employers to make reasonable efforts to provide a room or other location, other than a toilet stall, where an employee can express her milk in privacy. (SB 542).

Ill. Rev. Stat. ch. 20 § 2310/55.84 (1997) allows the Department of Public Health to conduct an information campaign for the general public to promote breastfeeding of infants by their mothers. The law allows the department to include the information in a brochure for free distribution to the general public. [P.A. 90-244]

Ill. Rev. Stat. ch. 720 § 5/11-9 (1995) clarifies that breastfeeding of infants is not an act of public indecency. (SB 190)

  

Answer 7

I swear to GOD there is nothing more annoying than this.  IT IS NOT proper at all.  There are breast pumps and bottels you can use to make bottels and bring with you to feed your baby.  Yes babies need to be prepared for that.  

Edit:

Dear God I made a typo early in the morning.  Sue, me.  But I don't care there are laws.  Just because you are a nursing mother I don't care and I don't think you need to have 'special' rights.   I as a non nursing mother can't whip out my b*****s when I desire but you can becaue you have a baby on it?  I'm sorry but you need to go somewhere private, its nor necessary for me to see it, I don't care its natural, so is taking a dump but you don't do that everywhere.  

Also, back of a movie theather?  GOD leave your baby at home not in a theather, I hate when a crying baby ruins my movie.

Answer 8

You do not need to cover yourself up, but it's OK to keep an eye on the people around you in deciding how discreet to be.  Also, keep in mind that it won't take long until your baby would be a good cover up all on his/her own!  I never hesitated to nurse in public, but I'd at least make an effort to show that I noticed if people were uncomfortable.  But baby is #1 and his needs always came first.  In many states (and several people have already posted links to the laws), the only place you can legally be asked to leave if you are nursing is in someone else's home.  

If you try to nurse only in very quiet, private places, then the few times you may need to nurse in public, your child will be too bewildered and distracted to eat.  

Once your baby is a few months old, you can often manage to wear him/her in a sling or carrier while nursing.  Sometimes it's impossible to even tell what's going on, and everyone is quite comfortable.

Funny story: I figured I could nurse in front of my niece and nephew, who I assumed were no strangers to breastfeeding.  However, my nephew announced that "the baby's eating from Auntie's boobies" and then did need a reminder about how it works. His parents used it as a teaching moment.

Answer 9

You can nurse your baby anywhere you and baby are allowed to go.  The level of discretion you use is up to you, although some state laws only protect you if you're covered.

Many women start out using a blanket or going to the car to nurse.  Eventually, they lose the blanket and just sit and nurse the baby wherever.  A sling is great for one-hand nursing (or hands-free nursing once you get really good with the sling).  Either way, you'll find a way to feed your baby wherever you are.

I usually use the sling or just find a place to sit.  I don't use a cover, but I keep my top over most of my breast.  You can see a half inch or so of breast, but it's far more modest than many outfits I see!

I'm more concerned about hiding my ugly belly, but you probably don't want to think about that yet!  :-)

Ha, ha, Thebaker!  I have nursed in many airports and on several airplanes, crowded and empty!  People far prefer a little bit of breast to a screaming baby!  The only time I've ever been harassed was at the St Louis zoo, and that woman had most of her b*****s exposed and her thong was sticking out, so it was hard to take her seriously!

Answer 10

I cannot quote laws exactly but in Texas where I live I just carried a light blanket and covered up with it.  No one could see anything that they shouldnt.  I am 10 weeks pregnant and will be breastfeeding once again and intend on using the same tactics

Answer 11

If you are out in public and you need to feed, you could go to your car and sit in the back and feed away.

Answer 12

I'm pretty sure there are laws in just about every state protecting breastfeeding moms. I think as long as you use a little blanket to cover up then you can do it anywhere! I've been breastfeeding for 4 months now and you start to care less about what other people think and more about what is best for your baby. If they are hungry now, wherever you are, you should be able to feed them right away and not make them wait just because you are in public. More and more places have nice private areas to nurse, anyway (I know my mall has rooms in the bathroom specifcally for nursing, with a couch, etc)

I know I was nervous about that too at first but you get more and more comfortable with time. The only thing I would reccommend is not doing it in public right away until you and baby are used to it at home/and breastfeeding is well established,  because it can be frustrating to be out in public trying to nurse if the baby is having latching problems, and/or flailing/fussing/knocking the blanket off you, etc.

Good luck!!!!  

Answer 13

Yes, there are laws that say people cannot sue you for accidentally seeing a boob.  I will give you an example of what I did when I had my first child.

My husband was in deployed and I was flying out of state to see his family.  My daughter ate seriously almost every hour or so.  On my connecting flight I had time to sit and feed her before boarding the plane so I sat away from everyone where no one was.  There was no one around me.  Out of no where I swear everyone and their moms were sitting right on top of me staring at me.  I did have a few women give me nasty looks but I was there first and didn't ask anyone to come sit near me.

Feed your baby mama because that is what boobies are for!  Just have a light blanket handy to cover up.

Edit:  For the people who think breastfeeding mama's should go sit in a bathroom stall or in their cars.  I invite you to eat your lunch on top of a dirty toilet or bake to death in a hot vehicle.  Get off your high horse it's just a freaking boob.  That is why we have them.  They aren't s*x objects!  Good grief!

Edit: Belinda, I know!  What I don't understand is what is the difference between the mountains of cleavage, thongs and butt cracks that are being "covered" by today's fashion, lol!

When breastfeeding it's possible to stay almost fully covered, even without a blanket, omg not the top or side of someones boob!  HA!

Answer 14

I also live in Chicago.  For some one who did not breastfeed and have seen others do it in public, I would just suggest that you use a blanket to go over that area and your baby.  As long as you follow that simple rule, no one should have a problem with it.

For the girl who said you don't have to cover up if you don't want to, and there are no laws that say you can't expose your breast or nipple :  Just because your breastfeeding doesn't mean you can just whip out your breast in public for all to see.  There are such things as indecent exposure - doesn't matter if its "your right" to breastfeed or not.  Besides, why the heck would you want people to see such an intimate part of your body anyway?  I certainly wouldn't want to, and if you expose your nipple to the guy walking down the street, you're just asking for nasty comments.

Edit:  I completely agree with Ann M.  I too am tired of these people "I breastfeed, please look at my boob, I have a right to show it to you."  Whatever.  I'm certainly not against breastfeeding in public, but these people need to be aware of people around you if you are purposely exposing your breast or nipple.  Would you pull your pants down and pee on the sidewalk for all to see?  Why not, because it's your v****a?  I see no difference.

Answer 15

The law depends on where you live but in most places the right to breastfeed is somewhat protected.  In some places it is actually a crime to harrass a women while she is breastfeeding.

Also coverups only draw attention to what you are doing, if you are more comfortable using one go ahead.  But I bet at least 1/3 of the time you see mom holding a "sleeping" baby in a position lying across mom's arm they are nursing and you don't even know it.

I can't tell you how many times people come to look at the "sleeping" baby when I am actually nursing.

PS Many, many breastfed babies will not take a bottle at all.  Some will take a bottle and then not nurse properly on moms breast for days causing her pain.  Bottles increase the risks of ear infections as well.

Also why is it ok to see a woman's nipple in an ad or under a see through shirt but god forbid its for 10 seconds because she is having trouble getting the baby latched on or the baby suddenly turns their head.

---------------

http://www.llli.org/Law/Bills18.html

ILLINOIS

Illinois has enacted several significant breastfeeding laws: (1) clarifying that breastfeeding in not public indecency; (2) authorizing a public information campaign; (3) providing for a program in WIC for lactation support, including payment for equipment and services; (4) providing accommodations for employed mothers who are breastfeeding; (5) clarifying a mother’s right to breastfeed in public and (6) exempting breastfeeding mothers from jury duty upon request.

740 ILCS 137/10

Public Act 093-0942, SB 3211, enacted August 16, 2004.

Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Right to Breastfeed Act.

Section 5. Purpose. The General Assembly finds that breast milk offers better nutrition, immunity, and digestion, and may raise a baby's IQ, and that breastfeeding offers other benefits such as improved mother-baby bonding, and its encouragement has been established as a major goal of this decade by the World Health Organization and the United Nations Children's Fund. The General Assembly finds and declares that the Surgeon General of the United States recommends that babies be fed breastmilk, unless medically contraindicated, in order to attain an optimal healthy start.

Section 10. Breastfeeding Location. A mother may breastfeed her baby in any location, public or private, where the mother is otherwise authorized to be, irrespective of whether the nipple of the mother's breast is uncovered during or incidental to the breastfeeding; however, a mother considering whether to breastfeed her baby in a place of worship shall comport her behavior with the norms appropriatein that place of worship.

Section 15. Private right of action. A woman who has been denied the right to breastfeed by the owner or manager of a public or private location, other than a private residence or place of worship, may bring an action to enjoin future denials of the right to breastfeed. If the woman prevails in her suit, she shall be awarded reasonable attorney's fees and reasonable expenses of litigation.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.

http://www.ncsl.org/programs/health/brea...

Ill. Rev. Stat. ch. 705 § 305/10.3 (2005) amends the Jury Act.  Provides that any mother nursing her child shall, upon her request, be excused from jury duty.

Ill. Rev. Stat. ch. 740 § 137 (2004) creates the Right to Breastfeed Act.  Provides that a mother may breastfeed her baby in any location, public or private, where the mother is otherwise authorized to be; a mother who breastfeeds in a place of worship shall follow the appropriate norms within that place of worship. (SB 3211)

Ill. Rev. Stat. ch. 820 § 260 (2001) creates the Nursing Mothers in the Workplace Act.  Requires that employers provide reasonable unpaid break time each day to employees who need to express breast milk. The law also requires employers to make reasonable efforts to provide a room or other location, other than a toilet stall, where an employee can express her milk in privacy. (SB 542).

Ill. Rev. Stat. ch. 20 § 2310/55.84 (1997) allows the Department of Public Health to conduct an information campaign for the general public to promote breastfeeding of infants by their mothers. The law allows the department to include the information in a brochure for free distribution to the general public. [P.A. 90-244]

Ill. Rev. Stat. ch. 720 § 5/11-9 (1995) clarifies that breastfeeding of infants is not an act of public indecency. (SB 190)

Answer 16

The proper thing to do is throw etiquette out the window and do whats best for the baby.  Bottles and meals in the public bathrooms are not what's best for babies

Discretion will help YOU and cause less drama, but is not required.  YES there are laws in every state protecting your right to breastfeed.  Here is a link to the laws for your state:

http://www.llli.org/Law/Bills18.html

Answer 17

Are you in the US?  

Here's a summary of breastfeeding laws in the US:

http://www.ncsl.org/programs/health/brea...

Honestly, you probably don't need to worry about it.  Find a cushy chair or couch, sit and nurse your baby.  You don't have to use a nursing cover, but you're welcome to try one if you feel shy.  

The proper time to nurse is to answer your baby's cues *before* he or she needs to cry.  When you see the rooting, find a good place!  I like coffeeshops--I can get a drink (and maybe a snack) and they usually have nice, comfy seating areas.

I live in Virginia.  While we don't have laws protecting the right to breastfeed here, there is a law exempting nursing mothers from public indecency.  I've never worried about where I nurse.  When the baby is nursing, nothing much is visible, anyhow.  I just lift my shirt enough to latch babe on, then move it back down so that it's near (but not touching) his face.

ETA:  Illinois protects your right to breastfeed your baby.

http://www.ncsl.org/programs/health/brea...

Answer 18

Several states have laws protecting breastfeeding moms.  I know in Florida you can breastfeed anywhere you want.  I was always a little bit shy about just doing it in the open so I always tried to cover up, however my daughter hated being covered when she nursed.  I have nursed in the car so many times, in the back row of the movie theater, in a bathroom with an arm chair, in fitting rooms, sitting at a booth in restaurants, and sitting on the floor in a quiet isle in an Ikea. Before I started breastfeeding I had never know anyone who did it nor had I ever seen anyone doing it like in public.  I always made sure that people couldn't see anything but it was pretty obvious what I was doing, and I felt good about that because maybe it would encourage someone else.