Do you breastfeed in public?

[headintheclouds7]

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?

I breastfed both my DD’s in public, no problems at all. Nor did i feel the need to cover, between their little heads and all the layers & muslin no one can see anything anyway. You’ll get used to it in no time and not look back. Good luck on your breastfeeding journey xx

I feed my 6 month old everywhere, I’m not going to worry about anyone else’s opinion on it, my baby is hungry, she is the priority. If they have a problem with it I don’t actually care but nobody has ever said anything and I’ve only ever felt support if I’ve happened to catch a strangers eye while feeding her.

Never a negative comment or look, maybe 4 positive comments in total over 14 months x 2.

Did it in cafes, churches, hairdresser, parks, trains, etc. Never had one of those cover things.

It's no big deal.

Are you in the UK? The only time I've ever thought twice about breastfeeding in public is when I'm overseas

That’s interesting doesn’t the U.K. have to lowest bf rate in the world? so other countries are probably far more accepting of it!

Yes, with both my children, anywhere and everywhere they needed feeding and I could sit down comfortably. Never had a negative comment or any kind of shady looks, but several instances of positive comments and people being helpful eg bringing me a glass of water.

In 1977 I breast fed my 4th child. I'd hoped it would be easier now. For all you young women who breastfeed in public, thank you. Every time you do it, consider this; The young woman across the cafe who keeps glancing your way may be pregnant, and gaining the courage to do the same when her time comes, and is being helped by seeing you.
And the old woman with the resting bitch face on the next table is probably me, thinking how lovely it is to see a Mum breastfeeding in public, but feeling too shy to say anything.

First couple of feeds away fron home were at the local breastfeeding cafe, that wad a nice gentle ease into it. Went on to feed them for 2.5 and 3.5 years egenever and wherever needed and only ever got one disapproving look that I noticed

I did 16 years ago, had a few older ladies and gents smiling at me occasionally, most people would never have realised. I don't recall any specific incident of anyone saying anything negative to me and Dd was 10 mths old when I stopped.

I have breastfed both of my babies in public and have never experienced anyone even looking at me.

@MamaFoxToBe I had the same set! I was sick of the sight of them by the time I was done breastfeeding, but they did the job.

I breastfed all four of my dc in public.

I was all set to be militant, but nobody ever gave me a second glance. I was actually a bit disappointed that I never got the chance to get assertive on the subject.

But then I had dc4. One dayI was feeding on a windowsill facing the tills in Tesco, when an elderly woman stormed up to me waving her walking stick. “I’ve just got one thing to say to you, young lady,” she said “Well done. That’s all I’m going to say.” She then marched off.

Thanks for your responses everyone. It's articles like this that make me feel anxious: www.independent.co.uk/life-style/women/sainsburys-mother-breastfeed-public-baby-b2111190.html?amp

But it's nice to read that most of you have had positive experiences when breastfeeding in public.

It was a very long time ago now, but the only times I was banished to another room to feed my daughter was at my husband’s relatives! Told to move to a cold kitchen or bedroom (it was late autumn) because they ‘didn’t want to see that’!

In public, I’d just wear voluminous tops & pop her underneath to feed, no issues. Lots of awww-ing & support if I’m honest!

It’s one of the most natural things in the world! If you can do it, fabulous (my son couldn’t, my daughter could). People who get offended about something so natural really need to reconsider. It’s a nipple, a breast, a baby ffs.

Yes.
No one cares / notices.
And even if they did, so what?

I had my children over 20 years ago now, and I breastfed both in public without a qualm. Hardly anyone batted an eyelid and on the odd occasion that someone made a remark, or in a few cases offered me someone more discreet (often a glorified changing room/toddler loo - no thanks), I gave them a firm (very firm, if a second time was required) explanation that I was fine where I was Thank You, with a Death Stare if it seemed necessary. Seemed to work.

I do think it can be more difficult if your personality is not naturally extrovert and reasonably comfortable with the potential of having to deal with confrontation. (Which you should never have to of course.)

I was discreet and had front opening tops but was not excessively cautious about it and also did not use one of those shawl covers either, they weren't really a thing at the time and I can't see that it's the best environment for a baby to be feeding in so I'm certain I wouldn't have anyway. Although of course if you really want to try that for your own reasons, do, and if your baby takes to it fine. Your body, your baby, your choices, that's important, I just mean don't feel it's "the done thing" and you need to, it really isn't (or wasn't until recently, from what I can).

*somewhere more discrete

I did with all 3, normally vest down and top up. Never had any negative encounters.

Good grief. Sorry.

*from what I can see

I breastfed anywhere and everywhere and didn't get so much as an second glance. Or should I say, I never noticed if I did.

My in laws were extremely childish about it though and made me go use a bedroom or "yucked" and "Ew'd" at it saying it was weird and creepy. But they're not the brightest bulbs tbf and live by old wives tales and idiotic reasonings. Don't drink milk on hot days or it'll curdle in your stomach, don't lift your arms above your head when pregnant, don't go out with wet hair or you'll catch a cold, baby wipes and sanpro are flushable, A microwaved lemonade and two paracetamols is exactly the same as a Lemsip and antibiotics should be taken with any illness including colds. So I rarely listen to any shit that falls out of their gobs.

Forgot to say that I had a huge amount more positive reactions than negative ones, and no negative ones that were really awful. Personally I enjoyed breastfeeding mine.

PP, your in-laws sound awful and kudos to you for putting up with or dealing with them.

However,

a microwaved lemonade and two paracetamols is exactly the same as a Lemsip,

to be fair, 2 of the flu/decongestant paracetomol preparations and a microwaved lemonade would do much the same job as a Lemsip and taste better. I currently have a cold and might actually try that, Lemsip is expensive (I've used 2 boxes so far), the non-lemon flavours are hard to find, and the lemon ones I find to be yeauch and even worse are the own brand lemon ones. In a big jug, not sure what might happen with the bubbles when microwaving.

Under further consideration, hot lemon barley water might be safer!🤔

Yep. I've never even noticed other people staring or giving me funny looks, and haven't had any negative comments. I really think the vast majority of people do not care.

I'm another who breasted everywhere in public. Only time I got a slightly odd look was when I did it standing up in a queue - post office, massive security queue at an airport! Not critical looks, just surprised. Another vote for getting proper breastfeeding tops that open up though. Much comfier and you can feed without freezing even if it's cold.

I've never had any negative comments or looks (beyond that of my own mother) when BFing in public and I'm "still" breastfeeding my 2.5yr old.

It's either been neutral or positive. Mainly neutral.