12 week old baby won't feed when out and about - any tips please?

[Mymaggie]

My dd2 (12 weeks old) is impossible to take out and about as she won't breastfeed anywhere unfamiliar (i.e. interesting to look at). Cafes are particularly bad as she ends up craning her neck to look at everything, won't feed, gets massively over stimulated and has a melt down. She recently went 5 hours without feeding when we had a family day out, which was really stressful obviously. I feel like i can't go anywhere with her for longer than a couple of hours at the most. Has anyone had this experience and will it pass or does anyone have any tips? I have tried a bebe au lait cover up for the boob to see if she will feed under that but she just screams with frustration as she can't see anything any more!

[startwig1982]

I was going to suggest a feeding scarf but she that doesn't work. Maybe just find somewhere quiet and dull to feed? Or could you take a bottle of breast milk as she'd be able to look around a bit more?

[PragmaticWench]

Had this with my first and got myself completely wound up and almost sick with worry that DD would be harmed from not feeding. Eventually my mother pointed out that DD was actually fine going for a longer stretch without a feed some times.

What I'm trying to say is not to panic, that will only make things worse. Your DD will be okay. The bottle idea is a good one though if you are worried.

[AlexD72]

How do you feel feeding when out? Maybe baby is picking up tension from you. There has been a lot in the press about Mothers feeding their babies in public could you be worried about someone taking offence?
I didn't really like feeding in public. I'm all for breast feeding but I really don't want all and sundry seeing me feed my baby. I was very lucky that where I live there are plenty of places to feed in privacy.
Is baby crying and getting distressed when you are out?

[Littlef00t]

If there wasn't anywhere quiet or private I used to let her bob on and off, being vigilant to be holding my top to quickly cover the delatched boob while she was being nosy. It took 3-4 times as long vs a normal feed in the quiet at home, but it did mean she got used to feeding somewhere unfamiliar and improved slightly over time.

Also, there are some strange places I've bf in the past, when I've had mastitis and needed to be fully exposed, including in the boots examining booth, in a clothes changing room, in a room at the doctors (no appt, just passing, was my regular surgery though). Asked politely and they were always happy to help.