to BF my baby in baby-carrier when out and about?

[GoldAlmond]

I've just got him back on breast after a long difficult battle (he was refusing it in favour of bottles!)

He feeds often as he's getting the hang of it again (sometimes he's on for over an hour, or has several short feeds in an hour).
When I go out I put him in baby Bjorn carrier with straps adjusted so he can feed. I wear a top and bra I can pull down so as soon as he starts showing hunger cues I get a breast out and offer it while he's in carrier. Sometimes he takes a while to latch or stay latched and likes to stop and start, so I leave him to it while I get on with my day (whether I'm in Tesco, on bus/train, walking in street, in restaurant etc). I thought I was being discreet (you can't see much unless looking from above or the side as carrier has a high head-rest) but my mum is horrified! She said its socially unacceptable to 'walk around with your breast out' and thinks I should stop and find a discreet corner to BF. However if I did this I would spend most of the day sitting in 'discreet corners'!

AIBU to carry on BF in this way?

[Jesabel]

So long as you still follow all the safety guidelines, keep his airway clear and he can support his own head, it's fine.

[CMOTDibbler]

YANBU. I used to walk round with ds feeding in the sling loads

[MrsMook]

Carry on. I was walking arounda castle when a lady came up to stroke my baby's head. She completely failed to notice him happily latched on and tanking up.

[NotSoFancyNancy]

It might be worth getting a better and easier carrier to feed in. Baby Bjorns are not good for babies hips as they dangle rather than support.
Well done if you can do it discreetly. I could never manage!

[mawbroon]

YANBU.

[Junosmum]

YANBU but unless it's one of the new baby bjorn ergos you should swap to a carrier better for baby's hips. Keep feeding on the go!

[AGrinWithoutACat]

I wandered along the beach this summer feeding DD2 while DD1 and DS charged ahead and no one battered an eye even the older lady who stopped to chat for a few minutes - YANBU

[MusicalFanjo]

Your mum is being ridiculous. If you're comfortable to breastfeed on the go then go ahead. There's no reason at all why you should have to hide away in a corner, unless of course that is what you prefer.

[HodgePodge23]

I breastfeed in the Ergo and Moby all the time. I pull my breast out over my top so I'm pretty exposed too! If people don't like it they can look away.

Also NotSoFancy Hip dysplasia isn't caused by carriers babies dangle from, it's only when a baby is predisposed where those types of carriers aren't recommended. Although I would say carriers such as the ergo look more comfortable for the baby.

[rudolphistheboss]

I have done the same but with a Tula carrier. I find it much more comfortable for me and ds than the baby Bjorn. Might be worth a visit to a local sling library if you find you're carrying baby quite a bit? A different style carrier might be much kinder to your back and baby's hips

[HackerFucker22]

If its an older Bjorn there is a an easy fix to make it ergonomic (just need a decent sized scarf).... save buying a whole new sling. Just YouTube "making baby Bjorn ergonomic"

[SweetTeaVodka]

YANBU at all, I fed my DD in slings and carriers all the time, until she was bigger and I started carrying her on my back. People rarely seemed to notice and never said anything bad if they did. Not sure why walking round feeding should be any more horrifying than sitting down feeding, or is she squeamish about public breastfeeding in general?

I would recommend maybe seeing if you have a local sling library/babywearing group to pop in to to high as there are much comfier options than narrow based carriers like the BabyBjorn which will last you much longer, and they can help you find a comfy and safe way to feed in them. I fed my DD in ring slings, wraps and ergonomic buckle carriers, made life very easy as my DD was a snacker and comfort feeder.

Well done on getting your DS back on the breast, btw. Give yourself a big pat on the back and don't let your mum's comments worry you.

[Blacktealeaves]

Yanbu at all. No need to go into a discreet corner. How silly.

[Sighing]

I remember my eldest merrily feeding away in a sling when a motorist asked for directions. Even with the marginal tilt towards the car she didn't notice (or didn't blink at all). YANBU. Your breast is hardly 'out' if you're worried check in a mirror. But if you can move around it makes sense to save time!

[5madthings]

Yanbu at all. I did the samw with mine but with a ring sling. If I had had to stop everything I needed to bfeed I would never have got anything done.

Sounds like you are doing great and it's working for you and your little one and that's what counts.

I would also recommend looking at an ergo, tula or me tai type carrier that will be more comfortable for you.

[ThatsNiceDear]

YANBU at all.

[SpanglesGalloway]

Yanbu at all sounds like your doing really well. Tell DM that no one can comment on breastfeeding it's the law and whatever works for you and baby is brilliant.

[GoldAlmond]

Thanks :-)

I'll carry on then, it's so handy feeding him in carrier, gets rid of that restricted feeling of being tied to a chair for hours.
I have to pull top down so breast is out the top (too tricky to do one-top up one down with carrier) but I'm sort of shielded by the head-rest so can't see that much unless baby leans right back.

I don't really care if anyone sees my breast, I'm not shy. Just feared I was doing something unacceptable after the way my mum reacted!

[Pyjamaramadrama]

Ya so nbu, good for you for getting him back on take no notice of your mother

[BondJayneBond]

YANBU, it's absolutely fine.

[Feeches]

YANBU. Carry on!

[MinesAPintOfTea]

Keep a close eye on his breathing in their, easy to smother or choke while bfing in a sling.

[Euripidesralph]

In terms of your mother being horrified I do wonder if this is a generational thing my mum would like to be supportive but she struggles to hide her innate belief that it should be hidden and not referred to ..... I'm not judging all women of her generation it's just been my experience with my mum and previously my mil etc...

Times have a changed and to be honest there's a lot more support for nursing in public in general it's far more acceptable now but I think perhaps the older generation sometimes have trouble seeing that

I've found just doing what works for me and not enteri ng into a conversation about it has helped me

My mum found out I nurse ds2 in the car quite often and struggled to hide her belief that it was wrong but I just refused to discuss it and kept repeating that it was my choice

I say carry on with what works .. bf is tough enough without worrying what others think

[Booboostwo]

YAN at all BU. Feeding in a sling/carrier is incredibly practical and keeps the baby happy while you are free to move around.

[wanderingwondering]

I'm just jealous you can do it-I never got the hang of it-would have made life much simpler!