to look back and feel embarassed about all the places I got my boobs out?

[NewNameForBoobThread]

I know I probably am BU.

When breastfeeding my DC, I was always quite clear that I'd feed them wherever I was at the time. It never occurred to me to move, or cover up particularly, even around people who, in retrospect, probably found it very awkward.

AIBU to feel a bit embarassed, and wonder whether I should have been more considerate (e.g., in other people's houses, when they might not have wanted me doing it there)?

Sorry again for the disappointingly-non-risque thread

Thanks so much to everyone who's understood the weird discomfort (especially while realising I am absolutely pro anyone breastfeeding wherever and whenever the hell they want to).

Totally agree with posters commenting that things just feel different when you're breastfeeding. Your whole body and being feels different. So to imagine putting your boobs on public display (and I happened not to be a very discreet breastfeeder as DC were awkward) once you're back in non-breastfeeding mode just feels odd.

I do look backback now and think 'hmmmm' about some of the places/situations in which I BF, for example, I was doing a baptism course which consisted of 4 x 1.5 hour sessions and I just fed when I needed to without moving out of the discussion circle. I do remember thinking that the priest and group leader looked a little uncomfortable, but didn't give a toss at the time!

I think it does feel different post-breastfeeding, but unless you were feeding a 3 year old, I think its very unlikely that anyone would have reasonably not wanted you feeding your DC in their house.

Its normal, natural and healthy to breastfeed your child, so maybe the innate lack of self-consciousness is natures way of allowing a woman to facilitate breastfeeding.

I remember being particularly sensitive to the smell of breastmilk immediately after stopping feeding my three. I never bf for long - 16 weeks for all and never really enjoyed it, but I never ever felt self-conscious. I bf in church many times.

Its a really interesting point - good subject for a masters research project maybe?

You're probably forgetting the intense desire you felt to prevent/ stop your baby from crying, which is very effective at overcoming embarrassment.
HateSpiders it's lovely to actually hear the view of an "Old biddy" on a thread about breastfeeding; usually there are a lot of calls for people to think of the "old people", apparently under the impression that anyone over 70 is an actual Victorian.

It's a fact that some peeps feel uncomfortable when the boobie comes out, but then the baby feels uncomfortable when hungry.
It's a balancing act, but the weight is on the little ones side of the scales

Damn, I thought my good friend Boobs Elaine was posting

It is lovely to see women breastfeeding wherever they want. Most I have seen are so focused on their lo that it just makes me smile I'm weird

I'm still breastfeeding and both interpretations could apply! I bf whenever ds wants it (and it's not subtle as he tells my clothes to go away if they are covering any part of my boob) but I also whack my tits out in the pub drunkenly to show people how big they are now

I don't actually get my nipples out though!

I am mortified as didn't realise more discreet to lift up top rather than pull down. Took a few weeks to sink in residents of Belsize park circa 2007 I apologise.

I really didn't think of my boobs as being on public display when I breastfed, though, at all. Even if the baby comes off for a minute, it's really nothing like flashing.

I promise you, the people people who feel you should be more "discreet" or whatever are just a tiny minority. The vast majority will merely be thinking "Oh hooray, she's feeding him! And now he's stopped screaming! I never knew such peace, bliss!!! Boob away, lovely lady, boob away!"

Ha ha at boob away lovely lady boob away. Brilliant.

I fed everywhere and never got any negative comments, I was almost disappointed as I wanted to stand up for public breastfeeding ;) but there was never any need. I had a couple of comments from the older generation about it being nice to see a baby being fed "properly".

I think the only occasion I cringe about slightly is when DH and I took DD aged 10 days to the cinema - we were sat at the back and DD was basically on my boob the majority of the film, at one point she was asleep in DHs arms and DH nudged me and said quietly "your boob is still out". I'd flopped it over the top for convenience and forgot to put it away!!

I know how you feel OP. I'm still feeding my 13m old and for some reason feel more awkward about it now than I did at the beginning! don't know why exactly but possibly because I hardly ever feed him out in public anymore as it is morning and night usually, so it feels less familiar.

Before I would do it anywhere, on a bench in the middle of the street, in front of mates and colleagues etc. also a tiny baby is easier to hold than a big wriggly toddler.

But I absolutely support everyone else to do it absolutely everywhere, so YABU! I hate the thought of anyone else being embarrassed about doing it. I'm definitely going to get my boobs out today now just to prove i can still do it ;)

I was like that, dont regret it at all.

A senior service man type of "gentleman" was the only person ever told me off. I told him his views were offending me. Interrupting my conversation is rude. Approaching my table with your personal opinion is rude.

I kept turning it back on him until he spluttered imploded hissed at me and walked off in a huff. I enjoyed it tbh.

I always pull down rather than up as ds prefers it. I'm definitely what would be referred to as an 'ostentatious' breastfeeder but not through choice.

YY to pp who said about feeling more conscious as they get older. When ds was a teeny newborn people would smile indulgently and get me a drink of water. Now he's an 18mo there's definitely a bit more (although it's rare I feed him during the day now)

I think that it's because my breasts have become sexual again- not to others, but to me. They have therefore once more become a more private affair. when I was breast feeding that wasn't the case, and indeed I vehemently disagree with the idea of breasts as 'just for sex'

Breast feeding permanently stopped breasts having any sexual connotations for me. I can't bear them being touched in any sort of sexual way.

Sorry should have added the word can't bear it "now" at the end of the sentence.

HOWEVER on thinking about this a bit longer, if I was 26 again with lovely boobs I'd probably do it all again!

I wouldn't ask permission for a moment. I might make an announcement e.g. "just going to feed DD" to allow those that are uncomfortable to go elsewhere - their problem not mine

I fed dd2 in front of our priest in church, at her baptism. Full boobage out. I also have photo's of this, as we're having a good old chin wag.

Meh!

Thank you NorahBone. In days of yore (ie when I was a young woman just after the war) breastfeeding was the absolute norm. I can't remember it ever being seen as 'not nice'.
If anyone is embarrassed by seeing boobs, don't ever go to Africa. The women there often just leave their breasts out permanently; it's cooler that way and their babies are latched on most of the time, being tied on with a cloth in front when newborn, and on the side later. (On the back when about 18 months old) Boobs are nothing out there, and not seen particularly as sexually exciting.