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Original poster

Do you breastfeed in public?

103 replies

headintheclouds7 · 15/09/2022 14:27

I've heard lots of stories about mums breastfeeding in public and getting funny looks or being told to leave which has led me to feel slightly anxious when breastfeeding in public, even though it's the most natural thing in the world. Just wondered if anyone else feels the same or does it not bother you?

OP posts:
picklemewalnuts · 15/09/2022 14:31

It was 25 years ago when I was feeding in public. The only time anyone raised an eyebrow, it was my mother! Rude woman.

I'd give yourself some time to get the hang of it at home, then just do what you need to do. You'll soon find out how you feel. If you have a wriggly baby, you may prefer not to.

I was never bothered. I'm quite self conscious, but have no patience at all for anyone querying my baby needing a feed.
I doubt anyone will raise an eyebrow, but if they did then it's about as relevant as someone not liking the colour of your handbag. 🤷‍♀️

BeanieTeen · 15/09/2022 14:33

I’ve personally never experienced anything negative like what you’ve described. I don’t think any friends have so either.

Hungrycaterpillarsmummy · 15/09/2022 14:35

I do but I don't enjoy it mainly because my boobs are large and I have to hold a boob as well as hold the baby.
I much prefer feeding him on my bed.
Never ever had any funny looks though and it is very easy to be discreet if you have two tops on pull one up pull one down and then when baby is feeding pull the top down to cover your breast.

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CassandraBarrett · 15/09/2022 14:35

Yes, any time I need to and pretty much anywhere (eg not just tucked away in a dark corner in a cafe)
Have never once even felt the slightest hint of disapproval from anyone. No funny looks, no tuts, nothing

GorgeousLadyofWrestling · 15/09/2022 14:35

I breastfed all 3 of my Dc - if I hadn’t done it in public, we’d have never gone out. At first with DC1 I did go into the toilets a few times but quickly grew tired of that. I used to use the two vest method I saw on here - vest layered of the other was pulled down whilst the vest underneath covered my stomach so I didn’t feel exposed. I BF’d everywhere!

PinkPlantCase · 15/09/2022 14:36

I breastfeed in public whenever my baby needs to be fed and we were in public, I have always been far more bothered by having an upset baby that needed to be fed than what the people around me think.

DS is over 1 now and though he doesn’t really feed in the day if he hurt himself and needed the comfort I would still feed him when out and about.

I’ve never had anyone say anything bad about it.

threegoodthings · 15/09/2022 14:36

I BF in public and nobody ever bat an eyelid as far as I'm aware. Certainly never had any comments.

People are so absorbed in themselves they're not interested in what you're doing.

BogRollBOGOF · 15/09/2022 14:36

I fed two babies when required for as long as was required (about a year for feeding out and about, longer for times like bedtime which tended to be at home@).

I never had any bother. This was roughly 10 years ago. Slings were great for feeding and getting on with life.

CassandraBarrett · 15/09/2022 14:37

Lol, similar to
@picklemewalnuts
the only raised eyebrow/pointed comment came from my mother

Mrbay · 15/09/2022 14:37

Breastfeeding, quite happy to have a boob out. Changing in communal changing rooms after swimming, a towel must cover me at all times - go figure!

I'm 10 months feeding so far, no negative comments but one bloke having a not so sneaky look, oh and another telling me not to put them away - very odd. I've had multiple women come up to me and congratulate me feeding in public as it makes it easier for other women to follow suit.

Captinplanit · 15/09/2022 14:37

Yes and no one ever batted an eyelid. Apart from some of my own family members who were embarrassed.

I was soooo nervous about it but honestly, a month or so in I couldn’t have cared less.

Hugasauras · 15/09/2022 14:38

Yep, never had any nasty looks or comments. Currently breastfeeding my second baby.

ronniecat · 15/09/2022 14:40

Anywhere and everywhere. As a previous PP said, the most disapproving look came from my mother the very first time.. she got over it very quickly.

Baby girl is 14 months old now so no need for public feeding, we just do morning and night in our home.

Noorandapples · 15/09/2022 14:41

All the time, whenever I need to. I've never had any horrible looks or comments (aside from in-laws) if anything I get a few "aww"s every now and then.

user1498572889 · 15/09/2022 14:41

Both of my daughters breastfed in public. One still is with her second child. She doesnt whip them out in front of everyone but if the baby needs feeding she will do it. No one has looked at them strangely or said anything. Both of them would firmly put people in their place if they did say anything. We were all on a Beach in England recently and there were loads of breast feeding mums.

FlorrieFosdyke · 15/09/2022 14:44

I breastfed two of mine over a total of 5 years. This included bf a 3 year old sometimes in public. I was completely oblivious to any negativity because my focus and attention was always on my babies. My dh said that people had given me looks a couple of times but I was oblivious.

There was one occasion when I had to bf in a restaurant. Our waiter apologised as a couple of middle aged ladies had asked to move to another table because I was bf. I had noticed them or their reaction so would have been none the wiser if the waiter hadn't apologised.

It never bothered me what other people thought. I was caring for my baby and giving them what they needed.

numberthirtytwowindsorgardens · 15/09/2022 14:45

I do. To the best of my knowledge, no one has ever noticed, let alone cared.

Perpop · 15/09/2022 14:46

Breastfeeding a nearly 1 year old anywhere and everywhere. It works for us & no one bags an eyelid!

Suprima · 15/09/2022 14:47

No one has said anything or looked at me oddly. I’ve only had positive comments. Older gentlemen tend to look straight in the other direction quite overtly, but I get they are from a different generation and trying to be respectful.

I feed her everywhere- bus, park, pub, stood up in the queue in primark the other day.

I’m not bothered about my nip being out before and after though.

bengalcat · 15/09/2022 14:48

I did 21 years ago but I usually wore a baggy sweatshirt and stuffed the baby up it so in my view although it was obvious what I was doing there wasn’t any tit on show

RoachTheHorse · 15/09/2022 14:48

I BF both of mine and many times in public. No one ever said a word to me.

I did mention this to a friend once and she said that my 'don't mess with me' vibe is strong. I don't see it 🤣

Change123today · 15/09/2022 14:48

I’m quite a shy reserved person - I shocked myself I think when I look back, just how I was happy to do it anywhere/everywhere! It helped that she wasn’t a fussy/long feeder - I always managed to be fairly discrete and the only time I accidentally flashed a boob was when trying to use one of those breast feeding covers - gave up with them promptly. Never had any judgemental looks - except from my own mother who proper flapped asking if i wanted to go upstairs (basically hidden away) to feed.

shreddednips · 15/09/2022 14:54

Never had any issues breastfeeding in public, the only time anyone has ever treated me differently is when cafe staff occasionally brought me a glass of water without me asking, which is so kind and lovely. I had lots of negative comments from family, especially after the six-month mark, but nothing from strangers.

MrsAvocet · 15/09/2022 14:54

Long time ago for me now but I bf all my children, probably for just over a decade in total and fed them in all kinds of places during that time. I never made a big thing of it but didn't go put of my way to hide it either. I had one complaint to my face in all that time. Yes, occasionally I'd catch a disapproving look or hear a tut, but nothing major. Most of the time I don't think people even noticed, and generally if they did, they didn't care.
I think it's natural to feel a bit anxious at first, partly because it's a new experience and pattly because negative stories get a lot of publicity. After all "Woman breastfeeds in Sports Centre and nothing happens" isn't a headline that's going to sell papers or get clicks is it? So we get a distorted view. Yes, a few people might say negative things, some will make positive comments, but the vast majority actually don't give a toss.

zeerecords · 15/09/2022 15:23

I'm still breastfeeding my 13 month old anywhere and everywhere in public. I didn't think negative comments were a thing until I got my first a few weeks ago from an older women whilst I was sitting by myself in a hospital cafe. I just laughed as she said whilst leaving and I didn't have any opportunity to respond. It hasn't stopped me. It did upset me for a few days that people can be so nasty but don't let it stop you! Try and remember for every mean negative person, there is a nice positive one to counteract them!