BFing in public?

Okay, so I was at such ease the first 4 weeks with bfing. Now that dd is 7 weeks and we've taken her to people's houses and a few other places, I panic when it's time for her to eat. She still won't take a bottle which means I have to feed her regardless of where I am. So far, I have been able to get home to feed her. I'm so nervous about doing it public. I ordered a cover up, but I'm still nervous. Can you help put my anxieties at ease. TIA!

Re: BFing in public?

Can't help you, as I'm the same way. DD was EBF for 10 weeks, and is still partially BF. I have only fed her outside of my house once (in my car at the park)...that's it! I am not really a shy person, but I am so shy about this. And believe me, I think it's fantastic that other women can do it anytime, anywhere, I totally respect that, it's just that I can't do it personally for some reason. And I've only pumped somewhere else twice I think.

Good luck though I'm sure you'll get lots of great advice on here though!

Re: BFing in public?

I used to just bring a light receiving blanket with me everywhere to cover up. Not to say I'd just whip my boob out, but if DD was hungry, I'd feed her anywhere. I just look at it as a natural thing and I am not embarrassed about it.

You just do what you need to do for the good of your child. Don't worry about what other people think. You are a good mom!

Re: BFing in public?

You know what, I felt the same way in the beginning and now I'm like "whatever!" If I'm out in public I will cover up, but at friends houses etc. I'll either excuse myself to another room, or if it's just ladies around, none of my friends mind. At playdates, anything goes with BFing.

I honestly DO NOT care what people think at this point. I'm feeding my child and if they shoot looks, or think it's gross" or "weird" or whatever words they may say, then I feel sorry for their immaturity.

Re: BFing in public?

I tried to avoid it until one day DS refused to take a bottle at Grand Central Station. I used the sling as a cover up and fed him. Now, I am comfortable about it. It is the breast performing the function it was meant to do. The fact that boobies have been sexualized isn't my fault.

Re: BFing in public?

all I have to say is
for BF! I never could bring myself to do it and was always envious of all of you that could. S crew everyone else! Do what's best for your baby and don't worry about what everyone else thinks! You and your DC come first. If they don't understand, then they are the ignorant ones!

Re: BFing in public?

I haven't experienced any anxiety about feeding my DS at other people's houses. Where ever I've gone, they know I BF. At this point, I generally excuse myself to another room, but that's because my DS is a distractable nurser and not because I am modest about it. My DS also won't take a bottle from me so even if I wanted to, that isn't an option.

In the beginning, when I was going out in public, I would think before hand about where I would BF if I had to. One of my first trips was to BRU because they have a mother's room. If you go to Roosevelt Field Mall, Nordstroms has a woman's lounge that a lot of women use to feed their babies (both bottles and BF). If you're in a department store, you can pretend to be trying something on and use a dressing room. I have also used my car many times that there wasn't anywhere comfortable to do it. I've also BFed in the middle of restaurants and in a mall food court. (I don't think anyone even noticed. And if they did they didn't see anything anyway.)

As you BF longer, you'll get more comfortable.

Re: BFing in public?

I was never confortable popping the boob out. I always covered up in public (receiving blanket) or went to my car. Our friends/family always offered me a room for me to BF DS if we went to their house. Or I pumped before I left and gave DS a bottle of BM.

It never was an issue even for me who did not want to "expose" myself.

Re: BFing in public?

Thanks for your responses. I guess I just have to do it and I'll get used to it myself. I think part of the reason I'm so weirded out by it is that I've never seen a woman do it in public. It sux that our society isn't more accepting. Even my OBGYN agreed with that statement.

Re: BFing in public?

Posted by kelly4

all I have to say is
for BF! I never could bring myself to do it and was always envious of all of you that could. S crew everyone else! Do what's best for your baby and don't worry about what everyone else thinks! You and your DC come first. If they don't understand, then they are the ignorant ones!

Re: BFing in public?

I have to give you I understand how you feel and I gave it up which I wish Ididnt.... I wish I could have kept with it I was just sooo nervous and unhappy in public... Please do what makes you happy

Re: BFing in public?

Re: BFing in public?

Posted by Lucky

I used to just bring a light receiving blanket with me everywhere to cover up. Not to say I'd just whip my boob out, but if DD was hungry, I'd feed her anywhere. I just look at it as a natural thing and I am not embarrassed about it.

You just do what you need to do for the good of your child. Don't worry about what other people think. You are a good mom!

Re: BFing in public?

I just breastfed wherever, it didn't matter to me!

One tip is to practice with your cover it front of the mirror. Maybe you'll feel more comfortable when you know nothing is showing.

Re: BFing in public?

I breastfeed now whenever i need to - i carry a lightweight recieving blanket with me and throw it over my shoulder and my ds - i dont want anyone seeing my nips - but hey, if it happens, it happens....my baby's needs are first and foremost!

Re: BFing in public?

Posted by chelle

You know what, I felt the same way in the beginning and now I'm like "whatever!" If I'm out in public I will cover up, but at friends houses etc. I'll either excuse myself to another room, or if it's just ladies around, none of my friends mind. At playdates, anything goes with BFing.

I honestly DO NOT care what people think at this point. I'm feeding my child and if they shoot looks, or think it's gross" or "weird" or whatever words they may say, then I feel sorry for their immaturity.

Re: BFing in public?

Here's my view on it -- I always felt like I was doing a good thing for babies and women every time I breastfed in public. This is a really tough time to be a mom -- health professionals are telling us it's best to breastfeed, but our culture is telling us if we do we have to hide ourselves away and not let anyone see.
I felt like everytime I breastfed in public I was helping to "normailze" breastfeeding.

I've breastfed in stores, on planes, in reastaurants, in other people's homes and no one has ever said anything negative to me. Start with easy places like BRU (they have nice couches in the front of the store) to build up your confidence. I think you'll find it's a lot easier than you thought it would be.

I found that it's easy to nurse discreetly.
I usually wear a nursing shirt and will snuggle a blanket around DS (but never over his head) it provides a nice degree of privacy. You have to do what makes you comfortable, but remember you are doing the best for your baby and if someone else has a problem with it, it's their problem, not yours!

Re: BFing in public?

i felt the same way exactly - and I only nursed her twice in public - with a cover up.

Honestly, I bouth a pretty big cover up - I call it a tent - and retreat to my tent when I need to. I don't like doing it, but always remind myself what I am doing it for. For me the anxiety is only when I am starting to feed her, once she is on, I couldn't care less... I watch her eat and as if I am in my tent. People pass by, some 'try not to look' but I know they can't see anything and its a natural process. I am feeding my baby ... who cares what I am doing it with - a bottle or boob.

I just try not to think about it.. as Nike said:

JUST DO IT

Re: BFing in public?

when i breastfeed in public (mall restrooms, at an eatery..), i don't get eye rolls or anything. most would go about what they were doing. and a few would say 'good job' or 'breastfeeding's the best your baby.' the last time i did it was at a friend's place. it was for thanksgiving with a whole bunch of family and friends. and i breastfed in one of their bedrooms.

during the beginning, it was tough, as you know. i mean, i've never done this before. one pediatrician's appointment i went to... the waiting room was almost full. with men and women with their children. one woman adjusted herself with her baby and started to breastfeed. i was kinda stunned and wowed! kind of like - i CAN do that! so i inched into breastfeeding in public. and to be honest, i still get a bit shy but when ds' screaming 'feed me', gotta do what i have to do..

don't worry! ppl commend you for it!

Message edited 1/3/2008 8:49:50 AM.

Re: BFing in public?

Posted by chelle

You know what, I felt the same way in the beginning and now I'm like "whatever!" If I'm out in public I will cover up, but at friends houses etc. I'll either excuse myself to another room, or if it's just ladies around, none of my friends mind. At playdates, anything goes with BFing.

I honestly DO NOT care what people think at this point. I'm feeding my child and if they shoot looks, or think it's gross" or "weird" or whatever words they may say, then I feel sorry for their immaturity.

Re: BFing in public?

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Re: BFing in public?

I am in the same boat. I can do it with my girlfriends around with a blanket or cover up over me but in public? I try to bring a pumped bottle or go somewhere that has a lounge. I only did the lounge once and I felt so awkward! I know I will get over it soon!! I'm sure you will too.

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When I BF dear son I only did it like two tiems in public the other times I would go to the car. And if i was at relatives houses I would go into a bedroom or something. I know it will feel weird at first if you have to do it in public but once i did it one time I got over my fear. I really didnt care what people had to say.

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I would just drape a light blanket over me when I would BF DS. Honestly most of the time it didn't even seem like people noticed. I remember walking around TRU in the city breastfeeding

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I was like you and would always stress about it if we were out and it's feeding time but I had to get over it and feed DD. I always draped a light blanket over and found a quiet place. No one seemed to care.

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