Re: BFing in public?

I remember those days- being nervous to breastfeed in public. After BF for a year- I can tell you that you get over it. You have nothing to be embarassed about.

I live in Manhattan, and at first I would go home everytime she needed to eat. I remember panicking one day because we were 30 blocks from home and she needed to eat- so I went up to a total stranger with a baby in Bed Bath and Beyond and asked her if she breastfed (never thought I'd ask a total stranger that)
I told her my situation and she suggested I go tot he Barnes and Nobles across the street. I did- and it was fine (I too was covered up).

Then I started to notice, I see women breastfeeding EVERYWHERE. At a restaurant, WHILE EATING, the park, a store. Most covered up, but some didn't. So then I figured, I am feeding my child in the most natural way possible. If I cover up, what do I have to be embarassed about?

The fact is, there is so much pressure to breastfeed- everyeone knows how beneficial it is. If you are covering up- then you are fine. I breastfed everywhere - restuarants, parks, stores (especially furniture stores) or dressing rooms in clothing stores. I never got funny looks and everyone was always very nice.

Good luck! Feel free to FM if you have any questions.

Re: BFing in public?

I will do it anywhere, anytime. the world has seen my boobs.

I was scared at first, and only going into dressing rooms or sitting in my car.

Then, I realized, I am missing out on a huge benefit of breastfeeding. I am taking the easy great part of it and making it an issue.

My kid would never allow me to have anything on his head or over his face.

The nursing tanks are great, I never want my stomach to show.

Really, if anyone is looking that closely, its their problem, not yours. And honestly, no one looks.

Re: BFing in public?

I cant give any advice, Im chicken. I get embarassed about asking if i can go pump. So far only place i done it with ease besides home was my sil, b/c she was bfing too. Christmas i tried at my sis's in her bathroom and got embarassed by the noise the machine makes and stopped Im such a loser

Re: BFing in public?

Sorry I just wanted to offer I have been EBF DD for 6 months and am still not comfortable BF her out of the house - at my parents home it is fine, and at certain friend's homes I don't mind but I still hate it when we go out. DD stopped taking a bottle for a few months and now takes one some of the time if I pump. - I found Nordstroms has a lounge that is always quiet - but if I can't find an out of the way lounge I have to BF with a cover in the car and I hate that.