Breastfeeding Baby In Public … Do You Do It?
The other night I was out for dinner with my family. At the table next to ours sat a large party with three infants under the age of one. One of the moms was nursing, rather awkwardly I might add, and the scene brought back my own memories of nursing.
Breastfeeding in Public is a Personal Choice
Nursing in Public is every woman’s right to do if she so chooses. I know other Moms who nurse literally in front of everyone with nary a cover, as a matter of principle. Should a Mom leave her breast exposed if that is her preference? After all, it’s her right isn’t it?
On one hand there are those who say that nursing is natural, and that it is best for baby, and no one should feel awkward with viewing a nursing breast. On the other hand, there are those who argue that urinating is natural too, yet, we still do so privately. My take on it? I support breast-feeding in public as a mother’s and baby’s right. Nursing with a cover not only meets the objective of meeting our baby’s nutritional needs, it also spares others who may feel uncomfortable at the view. Remember, other people have personal preferences too, as well as religious beliefs that need to be respected up to a point.
Where To Breastfeed
The term “nursing in public” can run the gamut from a public restroom, to inside a car, to out in the dining room of a restaurant like in the opening example. If you’re in a restroom because you’re shy about exposing yourself, please keep in mind that the stall of a toilet may not be the most sanitary, and comfortable place to feed your baby. Try to patronize places that cater to families. As the breast is best movement keeps gaining momentum (at least in the U.S.A.), many establishments are creating family lounges, and family restrooms which have comfortable areas strictly for a Mom to nurse. If a lounge area in the bathroom is unavailable and you still cannot bring yourself to nurse in the open even with a cover, make sure to wash your hands before and after breastfeeding.
Nursing in the Car
To those who still run to the car to nurse (like I did), don’t let others make you feel bad about it. Some moms I came across that were big breast-feeding proponents expressed dismay or mirth at my method of nursing. They either implied that I could do more for the breast is best movement, or that I was a prude. Breastfeeding is not a crusade, at least not for me. I was simply giving my child what I thought was best in a way which I was most comfortable.
For the Moms out there who can and do breastfeed in public, without the cover of a car or a bathroom stall, kudos to you! As long as you and baby are comfortable, there is no reason to let others impose they’re methods on you.
What To Wear
First, the basics of clothing and bra. You can wear any of the following combination:
- Nursing tops designed to both support you without need of a bra, and to expose your breast easily when nursing. Make sure to buy one with wide straps if your cups “runneth over” from lactating. They offer more support than those with thin straps.
- Nursing tops with a nursing bra. The bra provides both support and lift. The nursing tops enables the least amount of clothing manipulation, allowing for quick and easy access.
- Regular tops with nursing bra. I was wearing regular tops a few months into nursing. Regular tops are usually more stylish, and offers a lot more choices, so I opted to go with them early on. I chose tops with loose styles that I could either pull down easily, or pull up without trouble.
- Nursing pads with all of the above. For me this was an essential, as I leaked from one or both breasts during times I wasn’t nursing. A lot of moms do, so don’t be caught unaware.
- Tip: Change them often. When nursing, fold your bra cup, along with the pad, inwards and pull down so you don’t have to take them out if you don’t wish to replace them after every feeding.
More on Nursing Covers
Going back to the Mom I saw in the restaurant, she was nursing with a large blanket, which in my experience is not the most efficient cover to use. To drape yourself, you usually either have someone hold the blanket up while you position baby, or you tuck a corner of the blanket under your chin. Not comfortable at all.
There are blanket options out there made from breathable materials, and are also light and stylish. They are available from places like Amazon.com or from companies like Bebe Au Lait (which I personally used). These blankets have a neck tie piece, usually adjustable, and it keeps one corner of the blanket around your neck, leaving you free to maneuver the rest of it.
Baby Slings
With a baby sling you can either nurse the baby inside or use it as a cover. Most people really won’t notice that the baby nestled in the sling is actually breastfeeding. This may take some practice, so try it at home first.
Your Thoughts on Breastfeeding Baby in Public
Moms, do you agree with public breastfeeding? What methods do you use to pull it off?
Melissa Phinney says...
I do nurse in public, I have no problem with “showing it”, but I do respect that others are uncomfortable about it. If I am in a restaurant I usually try to find a place in a corner, but if not possible doesn’t worry me. I do love nursing tops but can’t afford many, so usually use them for long trips or such. If traveling I usually park at rest stops and nurse in the car. Nurseing covers I believe are not worth the money and inconvienent, they never stay on and all mydaughter does is play with them, it distracts her and annoys me.
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Cat says...
I nurse in public all the time (when he wants it, he wants it!) and have since my son was about 6 months old. Prior to that I wasn’t confident enough. I don’t care about being covered (I usually just tuck the shirt in so nothing important is visible… my son’s 99th percentile head helps here!) But if I’m somewhere crowded or with a more conservative group, I’ll head to a quieter place, if for no other reason than my son will be popping his head up every 5 seconds to see what’s going on.
Nursing covers work OK when they’re tiny, but as soon as they can kick and grab it seems like they stop being useful! Babies want to see MAMA!
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Chris says...
I nurse in public all the time. I am not a huge pronursing person or anything, that’s just how things have worked out. I have two children and with the second (who has learned to refuse a bottle) I just have to nurse on the go to keep up with the older one. I’ve also had to give up the nursing cover. The baby started staring at the pattern instead of nursing. I think it became more distracting from everyone when you could see her under there grabbing at the pattern instead of nursing. Since it’s winter I just wear a nursing tank, shirt and often a cardigan, so everything is pretty much covered and baby eats fast. I try to be discreet, but I also just don’t care if others don’t like my NIP. I’ve got better things to do than worry what others are thinking. Plus, I live in a smaller, liberal, hippy town, so very few people actually care.
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Fran Magbual says...
I nursed my son until he weaned himself at 14 months and I often nursed him in public. I usually wore a nursing bra with nursing top or loose button up top. It worked for us!
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Myra says...
When I got my first child I was very nervous when I had to feed him in public. However, as time past I became less and less ashamed for it.
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Tammy says...
I nurse in public. I have two children. My daughter is one month old. She has a small mouth and it’s difficult for her to get a proper latch. I have a nursing cover (Udder Cover) with a flexible band to hold it out from my neck. This permits me to look at my girl and for her to look up at me. She enjoys nursing and I hope to continue as long as possible.
I do agree with the comments about the covers being distracting. I’m considering cutting the bottom half of the cover so there’s less for her to play with.
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Zhanna says...
I was very frustrated how unflattering and not stylish nursing clothing is. And then I discovered that Victoria’s Secret carries many cotton tops that are perfect for nursing. They don’t advertise them as such, they cater to a different population
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Lacey says...
I have 3 kids. I wasn’t able to nurse my oldest, but I nursed my other 2. My second child was 5 weeks when I started him on formula. With my third child, she is now 2 months and going strong, I nurse her everywhere but discretely. I use a receiving blanket to cover. I think it is great to have so many people for breast feeding now. It makes me alot more comfortable to nurse in public. With my second child I nursed in the car if I had to go out, he is now 5.
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jessica says...
I pump so I can feed a bottle in public if im busy shopping, but there are times where I still have to nurse in public. I don’t mind it and I haven’t had anyone say anything or give me any dirty looks (yet). When im in a restaurant I try to go at a time when it is not packed and I pick a booth that is in a corner and preferably away from others. I ordered a nursing cover that I got for free but for now I use a blanket to cover, which is a pain. Im not shy about showing it, but I don’t want some pervert staring at my chest while I nurse my son (I got hit on a lot while pregnant so I wanted to avoid that conflict altogether). Im waiting for someone to tell me to go do that in a bathroom so I can say “why don’t you go eat your meal in the bathroom?”
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Rachel says...
My daughter is now 10 weeks old and breastfeeding is going great! When I’m away from home and she’s hungry, I just go to the nearest fitting/changing room. They are private, sanitary, and fairly comfortable (a majority have either a stool or chair). I’ve done this so much that I know where the best fitting rooms in town are!
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