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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To breastfeed in public without cover?

117 replies

user1495362060 · 13/07/2017 13:18

I have a 2mo whom I breastfeed everywhere without using a cover. I am usually wearing a special dress/ two shirts and/or covering with a muslin so most of the time the only thing ever uncovered is the nipple. However it is obvious I am feeding of course.

I am not English so recently i have been wondering if breastfeeding like this is a normal thing here. I received no reaction from anyone so far. However I also never see anyone else doing it in cafes and such. Some mums I know said they have to go somewhere private to feed. So I was just wondering if people are secretly shocked but not saying anything :)

OP posts:
howthelightgetsin · 13/07/2017 16:36

I am very indiscrete and just wear a low cut top most of the time and pop a boob out. I've walked up and down many roads with my baby in my arms attached to said boob. I've never had a bad comment but I do wonder what age he'll get to before people do start looking surprised or judgemental? (I've never seen someone breastfeed a toddler in public that I can think of for instance.. but maybe I've just never noticed).

CherryChasingDotMuncher · 13/07/2017 16:37

I tried to use a Muslin once when I was wearing a sundress that requires full boob out. DS gave me a right dirty look and chucked it in the floor Grin

SupermanStoleMyPants · 13/07/2017 16:42

I'm sat in a cafe atm, whole boob out, feeding 3 week old Ds. No one gives a crap.

redexpat · 13/07/2017 16:48

Op you should know that the 2010 equality act makes discriminating against bf illegal, although its not criminal. So if anyone working for a cafe or similar asks you to move or cover up, then you ask to see the manager, and inform them.

voobylooby · 13/07/2017 16:54

My little one is 4.5 months and I've so far had no comments. Always coverless. I did almost squirt someone with my let down the other week though, as we were in a cafe and a noise distracted my little one....he might have had something to say! Grin

K425 · 13/07/2017 16:59

I think the only comment I had was when DS was tiny, sharing the peace at church - I was sitting down, someone came along with their hand out to shake hands, realised what I was doing and said "ah, you're a bit busy, peace be with you", and wandered off.

wonkylegs · 13/07/2017 17:08

I don't use a cover and am probably quite blatant with DS2 as I can't be arsed, once they get bigger they are little buggers looking about and fidgeting I just don't understand how you'd do that with a cover.

People probably saw more of my boobs when I was out clubbing at university than they have ever seen through breastfeeding my 2 kids.

I live in a very breastfeeding friendly town (my friend came up from London and was surprised how great it was) - they have an education scheme for local businesses & actively encourage BF but I think rates are generally quite low so you don't see many others feeding when out and about. I am often a bit of a curiosity especially as I also wear him in a sling another rarity round here.
Never had a bad word from anybody whilst feeding.

Goldenphoenix · 13/07/2017 17:09

Yanbu, i fed without a cover.

glitterglitters · 13/07/2017 17:12

Without reading the whole thing nope. Definitely not bu.

Shouldn't need to cover at all, I feed in public... discreetly yes (mainly because I don't want to flash everybody Blush) but baby's need to be fed more than prudes need to be placated Grin

MoodyOne · 13/07/2017 17:15

It's too hot to be undercover , I would literally melt... I just wear a vest and pull it down , DS head is normally in the way so I never really have any issues. And no one has commented on it either x

Natsku · 13/07/2017 17:18

I didn't bother with a cover or breastfeeding tops or the two top method, just pulled up my shirt and latched her on - once she was latched on no one could see anything anyway.

With this next baby I might go full boob out just because I've seen a few other mums do it in my town and am quite in awe of their confidence.

Alanna1 · 13/07/2017 17:18

It's entirely up to you. I never bothered with a cover.

KatnissMellark · 13/07/2017 17:36

I feed without a cover anywhere and everywhere. Have had a few disapproving looks and one couple in their fifties clearly pointing and laughing (how mature!) Hmm but also lots of positive comments and encouragement.

None of my friends use covers.

But all of that is besides the point. Your right to breastfeed in public is protected by law. It doesn't matter what we or anyone else thinks, YANBU

Eminybob · 13/07/2017 18:56

God the worst thing I ever did was try to cover up while breast feeding. DS hated it, refused to latch, we both got frustrated and drew more attention to ourselves!
It took me a few months to be perfectly comfortable feeding without a cover, I just wish I had done it earlier. With the next one there is no way I will cover up or hide.

lelapaletute · 13/07/2017 19:25

@Natsku - as a boob-out-the-top woman I'm in awe of the ladies confident enough to pull up their tops and risk exposing their post pregnancy tummies! Grin mine looks like a relief map of the Hebrides Blush

Winterview · 13/07/2017 19:38

I breastfeed everywhere (DD is now 2!) and have done since she was born. I mainly wear wrap dresses or low cut tops so not very discrete, but I think bf is so natural you should only cover up if YOU want to.

There were times when I used a nursing cover because I felt better covered up (I had one with a stiff neckline so it was like a hands free shawl). Covers are handy if you have a tendency to squirt milk and want to avoid spraying people nearby!

Winterview · 13/07/2017 19:42

I could never get the hang of those nursing tops either, I didn't like trying to fit my nipples through the holes.

I've fed with my whole breast out in restaurants, cafes, buses and walking through the city centre with baby in a sling. Nobody has ever said anything rude. A few strange looks now she's a toddler but I just stare them down!

anchor9 · 13/07/2017 22:08

I only drape a muzzy if it's too bright for my little sir who does not like too much sunlight Smile I know i wouldn't like to be covered up whilst trying to eat, i think a cover suggest shame.., I'm not ashamed of feeding my baby.

I like to think I'm doing my own little bit to normalise breastfeeding. I am a lot more confident when out with company though. i feel a bit vulnerable when I'm on my own, stupidly Confused but no one has ever batted an eyelid.

BertieBotts · 13/07/2017 22:11

I think it's completely normal, the only people I have known to use covers have been American or one friend who always had great trouble getting her son to latch so it was easier all around to use one.

I think you perhaps just don't notice other people feeding as it's not that obvious when it happens :) If you do want to meet other breastfeeding mums specifically, you could look for a breastfeeding café or a La Leche League group near you.

BertieBotts · 13/07/2017 22:12

Sorry, baby café they are called, run by Association of Breastfeeding Mothers.

GivePeasAGo · 13/07/2017 22:33

It's fine. My baby fought every cover I tried. I gave up caring.

GivePeasAGo · 13/07/2017 22:44

I think the most disapproval I got was from my female relatives, who had breastfed, who when I did just pull out a breast tried to arrange a muslin and cardi over my cleavage. My cleavage which was no different when baby wasn't feeding!

Crumbs1 · 13/07/2017 23:31

I can't see where all the fuss about nasty com comes from. I fed all six of mine for around two years each. I don't recall any negative comments at all - and that was 18 - 25 years ago.

Applesandpears23 · 14/07/2017 00:12

Full boob out here at the moment. Much too hot for two tops.

Camomila · 14/07/2017 00:27

Me too, I did the 2 tops thing in winter but it's warm now and I like dresses!