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Breastfeeding in Public
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Anonymous
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There are nursing bras that pull to the side rather than unlatch. The one I have has less support than the traditional latch kind, but it's much easier to deal with discreetly.
That said, I breastfeed anywhere (a bench on the National Mall watching the kites, a car dealership, two restaurants, and Barnes and Noble, just this last weekend). As one of my friends put it, it takes some time "to get used to whipping your boob out in public," but once you're comfortable, it is SO easy to go places with baby. You never have to worry about forgetting a bottle, being gone too long, etc. I sometimes throw a blanket over us, but my now 5 month old will usually pull it off. I find that a cardigan over a shirt hides pretty much everything. However, I do sort of feel that if others are bothered, that's their problem not mine; I expect them to look away in that case! And I must say, I love noticing breastfeeding moms when I'm out and about. It makes me happy that it's getting more common. |
Anonymous
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There's already been some great info posted here. I wanted to add that BF'ing in public for the well endowed mom (I'm a 36 G/H right now!) can be a bit tricker b/c we tend to be used to using 2 hands and 1 or more pillows. I received some other advice from various sources that I can share:
1. A good nurshing bra is key for well endowed (we need the support); 2. If you don't want to buy nurshing tops, layering is great. One option--take old t-shirts and cut out the breast area, and wear under loose fitting tops. Then your tummy is covered when you lift your shirt and you don't need to fuss with pushing another layer out of the way; 3. Practice in front of the mirror; 4. For added support but hand free, roll a small burp towel under your your breast to hold it in place. |
Anonymous
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I was 36G while nursing, and didn't have trouble nursing in public (just comparing to 17:00 -- so we big-breasted women know it's not necessarily hard). I agree that a good nursing bra is essential, and I also used the trick of putting a rolled up burp cloth under my breast. I always used a pillow at home to support DD, but when out I would use a coat or sweater or blanket or a pillow I had in the car, etc etc etc. Sometimes I would sit and then bend my knees with my feet flat on the ground, so that my upper legs could support baby... if that makes any sense...
Anyway, it can be done! |
Anonymous
| I BF my kid anywhere --I am a pretty modest person but when my kid is crying for food I just don't care. That being said, I usually have a big shawl (or just a regular wide scarf) and I sort of drape myself and the baby in it, so that most of the time people don't even notice that there is a baby in there. Nursing bras are great, nursing tops are a waste. Good luck! |
Anonymous
| I have always used a nursing wrap (I hate the other name for them and refuse to say it) and thought it worked fine. I understand that some people feel they call more attention to the fact that you're nursing your baby. I think it depends on whether you are more uncomfortable with people knowing that you are nursing or with the possibility of people seeing some skin. Personally, I am not uncomfortable with people knowing that I am nursing my son, and if they are uncomfortable, that's their problem. In fact, I kind of like the fact that it helps normalize and promote breastfeeding for people to see it and know it's going on. The prospect of strangers seeing my boob, nipple, and/or flabby tummy on the other hand is much more uncomfortable for me, and a kind of discomfort in others that I can understand, so I prefer to cover up with the wrap. I got the Bebe Au Lait kind, which has a special neck hole with a stiff piece of plastic in it so it sticks out so that you can see your baby (which was always important to me). That said, I have also breastfed in dressing rooms, the nursing room at BRU, nice ladies rooms that have chairs or couches, and, on many many occasions, in the car, as well as in restaurants, malls, and the like. You should do what makes you feel most comfortable, though IMO it's not realistic to never BF in public (if you include the car as public) -- otherwise you would never be able to go out! |
Anonymous
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And keep in mind that you'll more more self conscious and aware then anyone else. I bf'd in public everywhere and anywhere - sometimes even while walking my toddler to the park.
I always felt like I was showing a bit, but didn't really care. Anyhow, another mom recently told me she was so impressed with how discreet I was and tries to be like me! And FWIW, I think cardigans and button-down shirts are harder than ones that you just lift up. You end up showing way more with your shirt un-buttoned. |
Anonymous
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OP, I am also pretty modest, and I found that the easiest activity to do with a breastfeeding baby was shopping. I'm not a mall person, and don't like shopping, but when it comes to getting out of the house, the mall is best, because dressing rooms are the perfect private (mostly)clean place to nurse. Some museums have nursing rooms, but not all.
We're taking a long flight in a couple weeks, and for that, I intend to try the cut-out tank top trick, to hide my tummy, and maybe sew a ribbon loop on to a receiving blanket, so I can hang it around my neck. In my view, whatever steps you can take to ensure your comfort and continued breastfeeding are good ones! |
Anonymous
| One of the most useful item I had was a nursing tank top/cami. I hated having to list my shirt up and so the tank-top was great, b/c my tummy and back was always covered. |
Organicmania
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I found nursing tops to be really well designed to minimize any exposure. That, combined with a nursing cape or shawl worked really well for me. With baby #1, I purchased a shawl whereas with #2 I just bought a really inexpensive colorful scarf at an Indian shop and it's worked great. I actually have a lightweight one for summer and a heavier one for winter.
Motherhood has the best prices on nursing tops - you can often find them on sale for about $10. If you go to Rehoboth Beach, you can stock up at the outlet on sale items with no tax. And they recently introduced an organic cotton line that is also the cheapest I've seen. You can get an organic cotton nursing top there for under $15. Good luck! And I was never given the beady eye when nursing in public! Women around here will actually smile warmly at you! |
Anonymous
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The only time anyone ever really said anything to me, I was five months pregnant, nursing a nine month old. I couldn't hold the baby as close to me anymore. I was sitting down at a bird sanctuary, and another mother made a comment about her kids not having any clue about what I was doing, but she thought I rocked.
I also only ever exposed myself once, at the play area at Fair Oaks mall. My son, who was six months at the time, just unlatched himself rather quickly, because he wanted to get back playing. Only one person noticed, some dad, who turned bright red. |
Anonymous
That's totally true, but only if the button-down is your *only* layer. The way a cardigan/button-down is helpful (SO helpful, in my experience!) is if you wear it OVER something you can lift up. That way the cardigan-button down covers up your side/midriff that might otherwise be exposed. Hey presto -- super modest! 
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Anonymous
| I am still nursing my toddler (almost 2) and could not care less about what people think. If she wants to nurse, I just hide her under my shirt, sweater or one of those hiders that some people were talking about, and nurse her. It has never crossed my mind to bf her in a bathroom -I would not want to eat in a bathroom, she deserves the same respect! Congratulations on your baby and on your decision to nurse. What you are doing for her is wonderful! |
Anonymous
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One other suggestion (not sure if it was already mentioned) is to nurse in a sling. I went to a baby wearing event and was surprised at how easy it was for the moms to nurse their little, and not so little ones, in a sling. I just bought a ring sling and I'm hoping it will work for me and my 4 week old. At minimum it should give me a nice hands-free option for dealing with my 2.5 year old. I just need to figure out how to use it and be confident that I won't drop my little one
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Anonymous
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I've nursed in a moby sling in the Cradle Position and the Hug Hold. You can get a Moby online or through Babycenter in DC. Combining a nursing bra, good top, the Moby, and a shawl (esp on cold days) is generally good.
I've been out and about since my newborn was born 2 months ago and still haven't noticed fellow BF-moms. Sad 
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