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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 15:29

My worst feeding moments?

Being caught out without a bottle and so being unable to feed the bottle fed DC.

Breastfeeding in public is a doddle compared to having to find a bottle for a screaming baby.

LT2 · 15/09/2022 15:35

I do it but I am a shy person so I'll do it as discreetly as I can with a cover and in the most discreet place I can find. I don't think there's anything wrong with BF but I know there are some weird people out there that do, so I guess I'm always worried if they're about!

OceanbreezeSun · 15/09/2022 15:37

I regularly used to breastfeed in public, right up until dd was 2 ( but it was not often as she didn’t need/want it as much as she got older)

Most people never even knew when I was bf, I didn’t cover up but I didn’t get my whole boob out either. You can be subtle if you want too. Do what you feel is comfortable.

I can honestly say I never got any funny looks, but then again I wasn’t looking around long enough to notice what other people were doing and I wouldn’t have cared if they did have a negative reaction.

Anyone who finds issue with a woman breastfeeding is weird & clearly has some issues. Not my problem!

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AllThatAndMore · 15/09/2022 15:39

I breastfed both my children in public everywhere. I’m still nursing my second born who will be two in November . I’ve never had a negative comment. I get lots of smiles actually. I don’t know if it makes a difference but I’m in Greater London .

Hatscats · 15/09/2022 15:40

Hell yes! The most we feed in public the more it is normalised! 💪🏻

JackandSam · 15/09/2022 15:41

Yes fed in public all the time as was rarely at home. 2 children, both fed for 2+ years.

OceanbreezeSun · 15/09/2022 15:42

Hatscats · 15/09/2022 15:40

Hell yes! The most we feed in public the more it is normalised! 💪🏻

Yes to this!

BusyEve · 15/09/2022 15:42

Not breastfeeding anymore but I did feed DS in public, usually found a quiet corner and was discreet with my clothing. Other than the initial latch there was really nothing to see anyway

PileofLogs · 15/09/2022 15:42

I was feeding everywhere 20 years ago. Sad that this is any sort of issue these days- almost feels like things have gone backwards.

JackandSam · 15/09/2022 15:42

And never had a negative word said or bad look.

allfurcoatnoknickers · 15/09/2022 15:44

I breastfed DS in public all the time and no one ever batted an eyelid - I live in a big city though. I had those two layer tops, so you could never see anything anyway.

DramaAlpaca · 15/09/2022 15:45

I had my babies in the 90s and breastfed in public whenever necessary. I never once got a negative comment.

KiraKiraHikaru · 15/09/2022 15:46

I’ve recently stopped breastfeeding but I did!!

best one I ever saw was a lady in asda pushing her trolley, with twins firmly latched on who were sat in the trolley. I was in awe. Totally amazing.

SpinningFloppa · 15/09/2022 15:46

bf my children, I have 4 never experienced any comments positive or negative (I know some people say that they’ve only had positive comments so just wanted to mention I never received any comments at all from anyone)

notacooldad · 15/09/2022 15:47

I did but it was 26 years ago since I first did and 21 years since the last time I did it.
I never got any comments, I can't remember getting any looks and if I did I wouldn't have cared. I'm not there to manage other people's feelings if they were shocked, hurt, disgusted, whatever.

MamaFoxToBe · 15/09/2022 15:47

I've got a 4 week old and have fed twice in public so far. I've got these tops from Amazon which are really discreet so most people walking past didn't even notice I was doing it. The only comment I had was from a woman praising me for doing it.

amzn.eu/d/8iDw2Br

gogohmm · 15/09/2022 15:48

I fed both of mine for 26 months a piece. They were fed on demand so everywhere! Never had issues though on a couple of occasions pregnant women asked for advice and also had women ask me if it's ok for their preschool aged child about to be a big sibling to look/ask questions which I was fine with. I've since been a breastfeeding mentor

SpinningFloppa · 15/09/2022 15:50

MamaFoxToBe · 15/09/2022 15:47

I've got a 4 week old and have fed twice in public so far. I've got these tops from Amazon which are really discreet so most people walking past didn't even notice I was doing it. The only comment I had was from a woman praising me for doing it.

amzn.eu/d/8iDw2Br

Wish I had seen these when mine were babies!

Flopisfatteningbingforchristmas · 15/09/2022 15:52

Not anymore because my bf child is now 3 so just at home now but when she was little yes. Never experienced a negative comment.

ParanoidGynodroid · 15/09/2022 15:53

I was always very self conscious when bf in public do tried to avoid it. That said, I had just two open displays of disapproval, with 5DC

When I was in Spain recently I saw young mothers breastfeeding as they walked down the street. I was most impressed!
No one seemed to notice or care.

yikesanotherbooboo · 15/09/2022 15:54

I breast fed in public for nearly six years, no one ever commented.I have fed in smart restaurants, on beaches, in church yards ,in museums and art galleries .I would be surprised if many people even noticed.I didn't have any special clothing or covers , I just lifted my top and stuck baby on. Of course they have phases of being fussy and peering around so you do occasionally have to find some where quiet.
When you have more than one little child you just have to get on with things for the sake of the older one; I used to bear that in mind.

MeriPenomause · 15/09/2022 15:55

First two I was so nervous and sure I'd get dirty looks. I had maybe two or so in the 3 and 14 months I fed them both. By the time I had ds I was older and much more sure of myself. I was ready to defend myself and I never needed too. I've seen loads of women bfing over the past few months just whilst I've been out and about so I feel like it's definitely more common than it was when I first started out. X

SingularityCat · 15/09/2022 15:57

I was self conscious feeding my first in public, my second I couldn't care less and woudn't think twice about feeding him anywhere it was appropriate to bring him in the first place. Noone has ever even given me a funny look. I would be so confused if someone had something negative to say - it's just a baby being fed.

Wouldloveanother · 15/09/2022 16:05

I was self conscious and awkward, which probably made it more of an ordeal than it needed to be. I’m very private and didn’t want anyone seeing my boobs. Never really mastered it to be honest. Will see how it goes with my next baby.

Wouldloveanother · 15/09/2022 16:06

Oh just realised that doesn’t answer your question! No, nobody said anything. But I only breastfed her in public a handful of times over 8 months, my usual routine was to go back to the car.