Breastfeeding in Kosovo

[Gawain]

Ok this might have completely given away who I am but please keep schtum.

Basically I have had it arranged that I would go and visit my parents next year since they moved. They now live in Kosova.

But now I'm pregnant. So after discussion with dh we decide I could still go with small baby. That doesnt worry me and I have images of using a sling all week and breastfeeding.
So heres the thing I suddenly realised I don't know what they're like about breastfeeding over there. Its a Muslim country and can be fairly strcit on some things, still have arranged marriages for example but also lax on other things.
Would they be ok at me breastfeeding while out and about? I have no problems with doing it away from people and always keep myself covered anyway but am not sure if its the done thing or whether I might get arrested for exposure.
Obviously theres no point me going if I am to be stuck in my parents flat the whole time. As much as I love them I think I would go mad and I would be sad to have wasted my only trip over there and not seen anything.
So does anyone know what its like over there regarding this? I will try asking my parents when I finally let them know but want to book sooner than that was going to happen.
thanks for reading

[hatwoman]

no idea about Kosova - but I do know that Muslim and conservative doesn't neccesarily = squeemish about b-feeding. I have see women in Gaza who would normally be covered head to toe happily b-feeding infront of men and foreigners. I think you're doing the right thing by making enquiries so to avoid social gaffes which means I'm sure you'll be fine.

[bythepowerofgreyskull]

I think iirc it says in the Qur'an that you should breastfeed to the age of 2 - so I don't think there will be much of a problem - but I don't know specifically about Kosovo

[moondog]

Gawain, it will be fine. I breastfed in v conservative eastern Turkey and it was fine.

[LiegeAndLief]

I have bf in public in Dubai (a bit westernised I suppose but still plenty of conservative Muslim types about) and it was a much more pleasant experience than bfing in the UK. My mum (who lives there) said she had seen fully covered women bfing in public. It's good to check but I expect you will be fine.

[Blandmum]

positively encouraged in the koran

[WelliesAndPyjamas]

I don't live in Kosovo but in a country nearby with a similar/almost culture, in a mainly muslim area. All I would say is to be sensitive to the reactions you get and adjust accordingly. I have never seen women breastfeeding in public places here even though babies are breastfed until they are 2. It doesn't mean that it would be truly awful if you did it but it isn't something women in this part of the world do. They do it at home, but interestingly they don't worry at all about doing it in front of guests. Maybe it is simply a comfort issue or maybe it is a case of public places being for only certain type of behaviour etc.

Hope that helps. I can ask someone here if Kosovo is very different if you want?

[SuperSillyus]

I breastfed in Pakistan with shawl over me. Everyone does it.

[SuperSillyus]

Was mostly at home but fed loads under shawl on a crowded train.

[WelliesAndPyjamas]

Just a further thought to my last post, having podnered on the thread a bit during the morning. I think that people don't breastfeed in public here because they are quite conservative, and nothing to do with their religion, because the same applies to people of other religions here. It would seem breastfeeding is for the home and days are planned around this.

[Gawain]

Thanks people this has been really helpful.
I think I've decided that what it comes down to is if I am brave enough.
I have always been very discrete when feeding before as I don't like the exposure anyway.
I think what I may do is take a pump and a syringe with me and always carry some milk just in case I get stuck anywhere where it really does feel too uncomfortable. Other than that I'll try and remove myself from public as subtley as possible and use my parents as barriers where needed.
I don't know where I will be visiting but a lot of their time is either spent teaching at the university or working with children mainly gypsy children. I think these would be quite easy places/people to work around. I will be having to fit round their lives anyway so its not going to be sightseeing nonstop. We'll also be able to stop off at their friends houses.
I think I've just talked myself into it unless someone comes along and says oh I wouldn't, I think I'll be going.
I must be daft

[WelliesAndPyjamas]

Just go, and enjoy!
And gorge on burek which is um, excellent for milk production