Nipple exposure

[Mrsstandard]

Hi,

If I breastfeed in public should I be worried about my nipple being exposed? Will it offend people?

Thanks

[ShadowFall]

Try not to worry too much. Most people won't care about the occasional flash of nipple because it'll be obvious that you're breastfeeding.

Also, once the baby is latched on, any view of the nipple will be blocked, so once breastfeeding's established and you've both got the hang of it, your nipple probably won't be exposed for very long at all.

[Ericadm]

I dont think people should be offended, there are boobs exposed everywhere nowadays anyway! nobody has ever mentioned anything to me or made me feel unease or unwelcome. I feel slightly embarassed for the first few minutes but I try not to think about it and just focus on getting my baby latched. After he is latched there is hardly anything on show. There are some breastfeeding cover you can buy if you prefer but I just find it easier without them.

[Bunbaker]

I managed not to flash at all, but I am not very well endowed. I positioned DD's head correctly and she latched on without any flashing at all. Someone would had had to sit beside me and crane their neck round to see anything.

[CityDweller]

The only time I've flashed badly is when wearing clothes that are awkward to feed it. Trick is to wear two tops (e.g. a t-shirt over a strappy vest-top) - you pull vest top top and unclip bra, then whip up top layer and latch baby on. It'd be very hard for someone to get a decent flash unless they were really staring at you.

And really, don't worry about 'offending' people. They shouldn't be as there is absolutely nothing offensive about breastfeeding. And if they are offended, that's their problem, not yours. You may feel a bit self-conscious at the beginning, but that passes quickly. I've never once had any negative response whilst feeding in public (and DD was a wriggly, pop-off-pop-off-screaming feeder in the early days - so garnered lots of stares, and I've fed in some mighty strange places)

[eagle2010]

Totally agree with CityDweller - people have their own opinions about BFing and they shouldn't be eyeing you up in the first place!

If you practise in front of a mirror you'll see what other people see, and it's mostly just baby's head.

I use a cover where I can see baby - mostly because I have FF cup honkers and I do end up flashing a lot of flesh. Now that DS is almost 6mo, he gets v distracted feeding in public so I tend to go to quiet feeding rooms or spaces and feed him there without the cover.

When you've a hungry baba to feed, nipple flashing worries go out the window! Best of luck :)

[TheScience]

IME as soon as someone realising you are/about to breastfeed, they do everything they can not to look at your breasts

I will admit I don't particularly try to be discreet, but even then nipple exposure is pretty minimal - at most someone might get a flash of some areola if they really look.

[Rhododendron]

On clothing, as well as the "one up, one down" approach, I would also recommend an open cardi (eg. zip up fleece) which makes a good modesty curtain at the side.

Obv try to be discreet but remember that under the Equalities Act 2010 you are legally entitled to breastfeed a child of any age in public, even on private business premises such as a cafe, and without being asked to move or cover up. So just go for it!

You can try draping a muslin over the top of your baby's head when they're very little, but IME they soon want to push it off!

I find that once they're latched on it's fine, and getting them on you need to be careful but it's usually OK. However, the danger is when you've stopped paying attention and they suddenly pop off and launch themselves off your lap! I've only once totally flashed in public ... fortunately it was at a breastfeeding group!!

[Chocolateteabag]

Also useful to have a cushion or roll up your coat to raise up their head to your boob. Means you can hold your boob with one hand (left hand to left boob, right to right) and position babe with the other. That hand is then free to grab cake cover any gaps with scarf.

If anyone was really offended, then why are they looking!