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Covid

Bfeeding in town during covid

25 replies

SodOffCovid · 28/06/2020 20:09

Any ideas how to do this now that no coffee shops or similar are open? I'm assuming all the nursing rooms are shut. I haven't been out yet with my six month old but have got to the point I now need to. DH is working full time.
I've seen online my shopping centre has put tape on benches so I'm not sure where I can feed my baby?

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MrsH497 · 28/06/2020 20:11

Find this a concern as well. Only have a 6 week old so don't really want to have to go out but staying in is making my anxiety about going to shops worse and DH is back at work.

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lljkk · 28/06/2020 21:04

public bench?
You have been out with the baby... somewhere? I hope?

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SodOffCovid · 28/06/2020 21:12

@lljkk I have but never for longer than a trip to the coop. My house flooded in Feb when my son was four weeks old so I spent the time at home dealing with that. The week the house was made safe covid started 😕 so I haven't been anywhere with him. The house was fully repaired last week after the builders returned after lockdown.

I'm keen to get out. As I said, the mall I would go to has appeared to put tape on the benches

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DownWhichOfLate · 28/06/2020 21:17

Could you learn to breastfeed in a sling? Total game changer!

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LaurieMarlow · 28/06/2020 21:21

Bench? Car?

I’d never normally advocate the latter, but needs must.

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Velvetpeel · 28/06/2020 21:22

I’ve bought a collapsing stool. I find somewhere out of the way and feed like that!

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lljkk · 28/06/2020 21:22

I would sit on the ground if I truly needed to ever visit that mall, but I am obviously not that fussy. I hope you find a solution that works for you.

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Deelish75 · 28/06/2020 21:23

The baby change and feeding rooms in my local shopping centre is open. I saw it mentioned on their Facebook page - might be worth having a look/contacting them.

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Camomila · 28/06/2020 21:34

A low wall/steps?
Since lockdown I've only fed DS2 outside in the park on the grass or on a park bench, apart from one occasion in April I had to feed him on a low wall outside A&E (111 sent me to get a hurt food checked out, nothing serious, but obviously couldn't take him inside)

I haven't been to town since lockdown either, I was thinking an out of town retail park might be easiest as a first outing (I have a 5m old)

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Camomila · 28/06/2020 21:35
  • foot
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Mylittlepony374 · 28/06/2020 21:43

Ask in shops maybe? I've asked once before in a shop when I couldn't see anywhere else, they gave me a seat and water and were lovely.
Also in your car if no other option?
I've also, like pp suggested, just sat on floor.
Try and learn to do it in a sling maybe? I could never master that. I did master feeding standing up though and did it at the zoo once. Got some funny looks but needs must.
You will be fine.

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indemMUND · 28/06/2020 21:45

I read that as "bleeding in town during covid" must clean my glasses!

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SpillTheTeaa · 28/06/2020 21:47

Just because it has tape on doesn't mean a breastfeeding mother should be denied feeding her child. Just sit down and feed your baby.

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CostaCosta · 28/06/2020 21:51

I second pp of bfeeding in a sling. It was life changing for me! I used to feed baby on the school run. No one else would have a clue. I felt like supergirl!

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SodOffCovid · 28/06/2020 22:01

Hmm OK maybe I can trial run feeding him in the carrier. I will YouTube some videos maybe. Thanks

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FrugiFan · 28/06/2020 22:03

I would contact the shopping centre to find out what their policy is, if they have feeding rooms etc. Tape on the benches is ridiculous. If my baby was really hungry I would probably just sit on a taped bench but I would prefer not to due to judgement from others.

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SodOffCovid · 28/06/2020 22:21

@frugifan that's a great idea, I will do that thank you. With my first I used to bee line for John Lewis or Marks and Spencer feeding rooms if I didn't fancy or couldn't justify a costa coffee but obviously circumstances have changed. I appreciate this is probably a first world problem in the grand scheme of covid but I don't think I can stay In much longer

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TwoKidsStillStanding · 28/06/2020 22:35

I usually go for a bench (eg on high street or in park); I’ve also fed in the car. Comfiest option if you have to do the latter is to sit in the passenger seat pushed back as far as possible - but we have two car seats in the back.

Are there no benches outside?

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SodOffCovid · 29/06/2020 10:54

No I just called the shopping centre and they have blocked off all benches. M&s have shut their feeding room. I may just sit on the floor

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NeurotrashWarrior · 29/06/2020 12:36

I've had to sit on the floor before. I now embrace these things under Making A Point About the Capitalist Patriarchy and get ready to death stare anyone who makes a fuss. Hopefully someone would actually offer a nicer place to feed :)

I used to take a cushion in a cloth bag to either sit on or rest baby on.

I wondered if the seats around the shoe area in m and s would be an option? Or are they gone?

And, to be fair, mothers who are ff young babies would also have an issue.

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Sharkerr · 29/06/2020 13:08

Standing?

I’d rather stand than sit on the ground but that’s just me lol.

I usually bf while walking around if DH is with me to push the pram, or just stand and feed.

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NeurotrashWarrior · 29/06/2020 13:31

Yes, I always get a better latch when walking about. Not in sling just walking and feeding.

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PotteringAlong · 29/06/2020 13:35

Just sit on the floor! I did it all the time with my 3 and it was fine. Just find an out of the way spot so no one trips over you.

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Iwalkinmyclothing · 29/06/2020 13:43

I fed mine anywhere. DS3 would feed really well in a wrap sling, but I never got that to work with the others. But I fed them walking, sitting on a wall or floor, plonked on any chair I could find, on buses, in shops, basically anywhere I was when they needed a feed. It was very, very rare for anyone to comment and when they did it was usually an older woman saying something encouraging and positive and nice :)

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IcyApril · 29/06/2020 13:54

I would either feed standing or sit on the floor. In fact I sat on the pavement yesterday!

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