feeding baby when out

[fernie3]

My baby is two weeks now and I havent left the house since she was born as I am so nervous about her needing feeding out. I will have to leave the house at some point though!. The problem is she is wanting feeding every 30 mins during the day sometimes so if I go out I would be having to stop every 30 mins to feed her (which then takes about 3o mins!).
I am also a little nervous of where I am actually allowed to breastfeed - could I sit in say sainsburys cafe? or in one of the baby changing rooms in debenhams for example?

I have a pump but havent been able to get more than a tiny amount out (less than 1oz). We also tried introducing a bottle of formula which ended up with her being VERY sick and since my son had reflux we have decided to avoid that just in case it makes things worse - she is a little sick with BF but the bottle made her very sick.

How to you organize feeds going out? The breastfeeding itself is goign well now so I feel ready to face the world a bit!

You may find that as soon as she's out and about in the pram/sling in the fresh air she sleeps for longer, so you can actually go and do things - just be careful of leakage if you're used to feeding half hourly.

You can breastfeed whereever you want, wherever you feel comfortable. I just try and find a seat somewhere and away i go. It can be quite nervewrackign at first as i found it feels like everyone is watching and judging, but at the end of the day, you're only doing what comes naturally - feeding your baby.

Good luck!

You can feed anywhere you like, Sainsburys cafe would be fine. Have
you got someone wbo could go with you the first time? Your confidence will soon grow.

I took dh with me the first time. Make sure you wear something easy to undo and something to slig over your shoulder whilst you do that boob-out-stick-em-on thing.Some places actively welcome bfing mums - there's a sign in the window. Costa's one of tehm. I also had a stock of retorts ready in case anyone dared to comment. Bit disappointed in teh whole of my bfing adventures no one ever did!

You will probably find it is a lot easier than you think- I certainly did! I used to stop in a cafe or a family friendly pub quite often, but other good spots are benches in quiet areas, sitting on the grass in the park- anywhere you feel comfortable. As others say, wear easy-access clothing and take a friend for moral support the first couple of times if you can. It will soon be second nature.

It's not as bad as it seems, honest - and after you've done it once you won't even think about it. There aren't many places where I haven't BF and nobody has batted an eyelid.

You are "allowed" EVERYWHERE.

If anyone tries to tell you otherwise, they are wrong. If an establishment tries to prevent you from feeding your baby you have the right to sue them.

Hi, I think that most people are worried the first time they feed when out. My advice would be to stay calm and take your time to find somewhere comfortable. If your going to a shopping centre there are usually feeding rooms which you can use if you want. I feed my dd anywhere but still use these rooms if we are looking for somewhere quiet. Shopping centres are easy venues in the early days as they normally have everything you need...cafes, changing rooms, feeding rooms etc. I remember feeling really stressed out when my dd was newborn. She would waken up and literally start screaming for food with no warning. I would panic, stop at the first place to feed and end up getting stressed out and flustered. I quickly realised that it didn't do my dd any harm to cry for an extra couple of minutes till I found somewhere more Comfortable and practical to feed. Take a bottle of water with you in your bag and a book if your going alone. You will feel like everyone is looking at you but really they are not! And usually when they look its because they think its nice to see a breast feeding mum. This has been my experience anyway. Once you have done it a few times you will find you will get more confident and will soon be feeding everywhere! Its hard in the early days when you feed almost non stop, but its just nice to get out for a wee while, even if you are only feeding the entire time. Everyone will be looking at your gorgeous brand new baby, you'll feel so proud

I think we need to print cards that shyer Mums can hand out to people who comment negatively directing them to voice their objections on Mumsnet.

You are allowed to feed everywhere 99% of the population either don't care that you are feeding or think it is lovely, it is just that the minority have great big gobs that mean they punch above their weight in this discussion.

Good idea Morloth!

Is is nerve wrecking the first time you are out. I am now sorry I was not more brave. I often ran back to the car when feeding time came. Then you just get on with it. But do not be surprised that some people will look and look a second time. Some will come over and try to goo and gaa at your baby even while you are feeding. So my advice is get a largish scarf/throw that goes right over your shoulder and right across you and babe at the front. That way you will feel more secure and both you and babe will be cosy.
Good luck

I found nursing / bf vests were ideal for feeding when out and about. They cover the tummy and you can layer them under normal tops. Easier than fiddling about with a bra IME.

You can feed anywhere but can see it would be hard with that amount of feeding. I find it better wearing big cardi and then no one can see anything. You might find that your baby sleeps for longer when out in pram and sling anyway so go out right after feeding, ideally when she is tired.

I agree best to spend extra few minutes looking for somewhere suitable and not get flustered. I actually like feeding in starbucks because sofas are comfy. Also easier IMO if you go with someone the first time. I went out for lunch with my parents when DS2 less than a week old! And wasn't even flustered when they said no space for buggy at table - it was a sofa bench thing and he lay beside me on it with my parents on the other side. I fed him whilst waiting for the food!

Yes starbucks is brilliant...especially because I usually settle down on a sofa with my baby, book and caramel frap, wonderful . I agree that your dc will probably go a bit longer in between feeds when your out and about. My dc loved her pram and would settle for a nap in it when we were out. Agree with mumnwlondon...give your dc a feed then go out right away. Good luck!

Pesonally the only place i was able to BF without any worries was mothercare. But @ the end of the day it's your child thats most important. Mine needed to feed while i was in pizza hut & i did it, because i was half way thru my meal and another encouragemt (a lady not so far from me was also breastfeeding)/ Your child is first oriority and you cannot be sent to prison for feeding your child especially when there are not enough provision / places to do so in this country. THey say breast is best - so under any circumsatnces or anywhere if you prefer to BF then do so. Well i'm only basing it on myt own expeiernce but generally all mums know breast is better. x

A scarf or throw that goes over your shoulder and sort of covers the baby is nice -- mine liked lighter coloured, lightweight fabrics, but they would bat them away as they grew older and found they liked looking at me while feeding. I found that a baby blanket pulled up with my free hand to create a little barrier worked just as well as one lying over the baby. I used to pull up my clothes discreetly (I always wore loose style tops) to get started and then let them drape down over the boob.

If you have your older child with you, be sure he has something to occupy himself with while you sit there feeding the baby, and if he tends to bolt, make sure he's strapped into his buggy or whatever he uses.

I felt like a really brazen hussy at first but I got so used to it it became second nature.

Good luck fernie :o
I have fed anywhere and everywhere and never had any comments other than positive ones - including with the baby in a sling going round tesco, in a directorate meeting at work, and in front of the rays at the sea life centre (think one of the rays had a cats bum mouth).
I really wouldn't feed in a baby changing room because a) they're not usually very nice, spend as little time as possible in them and b) if you;re feeding for ages you will be bored stupid. Big stores usually have chairs near the entrance (for the bored husbands ) I would just use them, In a supermarket there are usually chairs near a pharmacy if they have one, or in the cafe of course,

You can feed absolutely anywhere, and I would say that once she was out and about in the buggy or sling she would probably sleep for a bit longer.

I tend to go to cafes so I can have a slice of cake and a drink whilst DS is having a feed. There are designated feeding rooms in some places if you feel more comfortable with that to begin with.

Take it easy :) And congrats!

Starbucks gets another thumbs up here. Nice and comfy.

John Lewis cafe also good as they're so busy all the time that you just get lost in amongst the hoards of people in there. I fed dd out for the first time there, took dh, found a table in a corner and got on with it. Used a muslin to fling over my shoulder to cover up and had no trouble. In my experience, not that many people tend to notice, and those that do don't really care. It really is the ignorant minority of people who seem to get their voices heard protesting about women feeding their babies in public - and this is far from representative of people as a whole. Good luck - in no time you'll be looking back at this thread and wondering why you left it so long to get out there as it will become 2nd nature to you

I first BF in public in a lovely royal park, even though it was winter .. it was really lovely I was in a herb garden and I could watch people walking by.

So I would say pick somewhere nice if you can.

John Lewis does have some lovely feeding rooms, love the Sloane Square shop - so I would love going there to do the whole , feed, nappy change, feed nappy change, pop out for a look at the baby section, meet a friend for coffee etc.

I once spent from 9am to 7 pm with John Lewis as my base.
Popping in and popping out.

A muslin cover is good for coverage and the baby can breathe through it.

I have only ever had positive comments.

I second muslin squares slung over your shoulder especially if you have a fast let down they can also be used to mop up any shooting milk.

I was as nervous as you when I first started bf dd nearly 7 years ago now on dc3 I do it anywhere I can sit down.
I have also done what sleepy has done and used a store as a base at first until my confidence grew a bit the Mothercare where I used to live had a lovely room with couches and a water dispenser and magazines. John Lewis are usually good too.

I also agree that your baby will possibly sleep longer when out and about. First time I tok ds2 out he was only 3 weeks old and we had just really got the hang of each other and he slept the whole 3 hours I was out for dinner with the other dc's.

It does come with time, plan your day around a few places you think you would feel comfortable feeding don't let yourself get harassed and give it a go you'll be fine

Congratulations on your little one!

I always go to the library - nice and warm, comfy chairs and books to read. It's a very pleasant intermission!

Primark sell vests for £1.50. I wear these under baggy tops, and pull them under my boobs (i.e. so their fabric stops just below bra line). Does that make sense? Then, I can pull the baggy top up and the vest hides my tummy. Someone suggested it on Mumsnet and I feel much more comfortable knowing my midriff is covered.

It gets easier with time. I was so nervous at first, now I feed everywhere and anywhere and haven't had any comments whatsoever.

My DD is five weeks old and I was also worried about brestfeeding in public at first.

Like the other posters I have found that she goes for longer between feeds when out either in the car or in the pram. However I have found that the feeds when she does need them can be quite long so it's definitely worth taking a book or magazine with you to keep you occupied. Don't be silly like I was on the first time out and try to rush her feeds to fit to your schedule or you'll just end up back in the feeding room 15 mins after leaving it!

The john lewis feeding facilities in my experience are very good and I have also used the feeding rooms in mothercare (I think most stores have these) which are more basic but do the job.
I've also fed in my local independent cafes and no one has batted an eyelid.

Don't worry about specialist nursing tops. I've found you can wear any top that is loose or stretchy enough to pull up easily (n.b. this doesn't just mean baggy t-shirts) coupled with a vest underneath which you can pull down and keep your tummy covered works just fine. There's no need to limit yourself clotheswise just because you're breastfeeding :)