Breastfeeding abroad

[1dilemma]

OK this is just because I'm curious but I really can't quite remember seeing people breastfeeding except on really rare occasions (I can't even name those I'm just sure I must have)
disclaimer I havn't got away much since having the dcs and I'm quite short sighted
So I thought I'd ask do people BF in public? commonly/rarely? is covering up expected? Do people only breastfeed in certain areas. Thought it might be helpful for people to post there experiences to help others when they travel.
(please I know breastfeeding is normal and you shoudn't have to hide away but like most people I wouldn't want to offend anyone) I'm also really curious there must be lots of places where breastfeeding is the norm but it just doesn't happen in public. Where does everyone go?
AM I just really shortsighted

[iamasurvivor]

i breastfed my dd on holiday in portugal and nobody raised an eyebrow, although it was around the side of the pool at the apartment

[AussieSim]

I've breastfed in Germany (all over), Madrid, Sydney ...

Generally I just find a comfortable seat in a cafe or a park or whatever and pop him on. While travelling it is simple to feed in the car or on the plane. Some big malls here have parents rooms which are quite nice especially when bfing a newborn, although there was a case over here recently when a man came into one of these and felt up a woman bfing a newborn, so maybe it is more secure to do it in a cafe!

I am more of a - pull the top up than down kinda gal. The only time I have felt that I have needed the extra layer hiding bubba and boob were in the early days when the latching was a bit awkward. I've never had anyone take offense. I've been more offended when sitting in a park or cafe in Germany and someone sits down next to you and lights up a cigarette.

[TheBlonde]

I'm trying to think of whether or not I've seen other people bf abroad

I saw a Goth teen breastfeeding in NY state at the mall, she went back to the car to feed

I bf in public happily in the US, Sweden, Norway, Germany. In Sweden I had a granny come up to me and stroke the LO's head too

[HeadHeartorHormones]

Have you actually been on the look-out for bf mothers? I think its something you don't really notice unless you are actually tuned into it. I can't speak for other countries but I know the town where I live is 'rife with it' (pardon the expression), but I only noticed when I started bf myself. Most women with a well tuned baby and accommodating clothing just look as if they are giving their baby a cuddle.

Of course you shouldn't have to hide it - but at the same time its easily done without a song and dance. Are you about to go anywhere nice?

[belgo]

I remember seeing a local indian woman breastfeeding in Gautemala. She made it look so normal. It was only the second time ever that I had seen a woman breastfeeding (I was 22 years old).

I live in Belgium and have bf in public in lots of places without having a problem. I have also seen other women bfing. I only once had a strange look from a man in Brussels that can only be described as a leer.

I felt far more self concious bfing in England, I even went to a special room in Marks and Spencers to bf. This room happened to incorproate the female toilets , and one woman came in, saw me bfing, apoligised and left the room without using the toilet!

[HeadHeartorHormones]

Shame on M&S. I sometimes used the changing rooms if I wanted a bit of peace and privacy - but the toilets - yuck.

[1dilemma]

Oh no HHorH I'm not some kind of pervert only I like to think I might be about to go somewhere then I get to thinking about how to go away with the LO then I get to thinking about feeding...... then it just crosses my mind that I am never really conscious of seeng people feeding then I think why? Is it because they are all in some back room with a big female 'covern' of feedng mamas or is it that like you say you never really notice until you do it yourself!!
I must have BF in Paris presumably on some quiet bench somewhere but am I right in thinking that French women don't really BF in a big way? AM just really curious that's all. Was thinking about going to Morocco or Tunisia at one point and got to wondering how peope BF in Muslim countries just thought it would be good to ask, also keep reading about people who pump for ages like don't lots of Americans go back to work early but at the same time are really big on BF then I start wondering whether they pump or feed when out n about.....
Thanks for the replies
Blonde was feeding once by pond on a common not 1,000,000 miles away in the freezing cold when a granny came up to say ah how lovely. Not completely sure she realised I was feeding even then since she just stood there staring for ages but I was quite new to the process and it was freezing so I didn't dare whip LO off didn't quite know what to say....

[MrsBadger]

I fed dd quite happily in Morocco.
BF is usually seen as a good thing in Muslim countries - the Koran actually mandates feeding for two years - so it might not be as big a deal as you think.
Dressing modestly (long skirts, loose floaty tops) helps a great deal in being perceived as a respectable woman rather than just as a Western tourist.

[berolina]

I live in Germany and bf all over the place. It's fine - there is less prudishness than in the UK (although I would bf everywhere in the UK too ). Oddly enough, though, the younger (25 and under) generation in Germany are becoming pretty censorious of bf in public - possibly because they are increasingly exposed to the sort of sexualised culture that UK youth is exposed to as well.

[orangehead]

I bf in spain and portugal, the impression I got is that it is more acceptable over there than in uk

[1dilemma]

Interesting......

[LIZS]

I bfed dd all over Switzerland - up mountains, in restaurants, shopping centres -as have friends. I think the point is you wouldn't necessarily notice because it is so much more normal that noone would behave in such a way as to draw your attention to it. I felt much more scrutinised doing so in Uxbridge !

[ib]

I'm in France and although bf rates are very low the French don't seem quite as hung up about breasts as the British so the few women who do bf seem to do it in public very unselfconsciously and without causing any raised eyebrows.

[belgo]

I bf while on holiday in Tunisia. Bfing on holiday is so much more convenient then bottle feeding and very relaxing as well.