Breastfeeding and leaving the house

[melonribena]

Hello everyone
After a tricky start I am breastfeeding my 4 week old son and gradually getting to grips with it. He sleeps wellish at night going 3 hours between feeds but in the day feeds pretty much constantly with occasional gaps of an hour or so between feeds.
This obviously creates an issue with leaving the house during the day. We barely do as I am worried he will need feeding literally just after leaving the house or get stranded somewhere when he wants to feed constantly.
Has anyone else dealt with this? I feel trapped and it's starting to get me down. I don't want to go far, just pop to shops etc.
My partner is getting a bit of cabin fever as well.
Any tips would be gratefully received. Thanks

Well done on doing well so far :) Please don't feel trapped inside though. I bet you'll find your ds sleeps far longer in his pram or a sling than he would just indoors. All of mine have. And if he does need a feed, it's really no big deal. A muslion or scarf around your neck means noone can see a thing and I've had nothing but positive smiles from people who know what I'm doing.

My ds always went longer between feeds if I was out walking with him in the sling anyway. You get used to feeding anywhere and everywhere though!

-No need to stay in honestly. Very unlikly little one will need to feed constantly when out and about even if that is what happens at home at the moment. If they do decide they can't wait th+en just find somewhere comfortable to sit and feed them. Maybe think abo t what clothing you were when your out if that's an issue. I found a vestr top and loose top was ideal as could hitch down vest top and took baby under loose top and nobody could see anything at all- not that it really matters if they do but not everyone is comfortable if feeking exposed. well done for getting this far.

firstly, well done with persevering with BF.

i would second the sling idea. my second was still is a constant feeder if we were at home, but i carried her about in a sling and she quickly fell asleep. and if she did need a feed when out then i would feed her. i have to admit with my first i was a little bit shy about feeding in public thinking everyone was staring - but they werent. you get more confident the more you do it and you really cant see anything when you feed anyway - have a practise in front of the mirror and you will see that nothing is on show as it were. i have only ever had positive comments (mostly from old ladies) about me feeding.

please dont feel as though you are trapped in the house - newborn days are hard, can feel relentless at times but are so enjoyable - they really do grow out of this phase very quickly. hope you manage to get out soon!

Have you TRIED going out and had bad experiences, or are you anticipating them? Mine (now 3 months) sleeps away when out in pram, car seat or sling. If I stop moving he might wake up - but then I'm usually in a cafe so can feed him. As has been said earlier, the loose top, vest top underneath combo works really well and if you have a cardigan or a scarf on too you will be invisible. Also some shops (recently I've done this in a big Tescos and a Mothercare) have a feeding room. I also have fed a lot in the car. You could consider expressing and taking out a bottle, but it's a bit of a hassle compared to just getting comfortable with feeding. Try places with lots of children first maybe - a nice park, or a 'child friendly' cafe - people there will not bat an eye. You both need some fresh air!

Thank you everyone, have bitten the bullet and we are in Sainsburys, had a wander round and are now sitting in the cafe! So far so good...!

Well done! Each trip should make the next one easier

Get out girlie! No wonder you have cabin fever! Maybe baby does too so he does nothing else but feed! Honestly you'll be fine. I go out for 5 hours at least a day. If baby needs fed, she'll start to cry so I stop and feed. Baby stops crying and off we go again! Mostly she sleeps tho as in sling or pram! Please for all your sanity get out lol!x

I definitely will! I think I had built it up in my head and was worrying about breastfeeding in public. I'm determined to do something each day and go out on some walks too. Thank you all for your encouragement and honesty!

Same boat here my DD is 4 weeks next week. But I must say she is very good when I look close enough she actually sleeps more then she cries soni was worrying for nothing!

My ds went longer when out and about, alot of the time I think he just fed be because it was there. I second a sling, I use feed and go, ring sling is very discreet. Once you get past say 12 weeks it's soooooo much easier IMO

i could only handle 8 days indoors! i was sooo anxious just about everything when going out though, which makes me laugh now! it gets so much easier, practise makes perfect.

just got to be ready to pull over/find a quiet spot when they get hungry, no big deal as long as you have an understanding partner :)

PS: it's actually harder to get out now she's 5mo in many ways as she's so much more aware - she gets bored now, and v. distracted during feeding! make the most of being able to go out for dinner...

The beauty of breastfeeding is that going out is far easier than with a bottle but our crazy old society seems to have turned it on it's head. You can feed anytime, any place, anywhere just like martini (or am i the only one remembers that...drifts off momentarily...).

Practice feeding in front of mirror, get something you feel comfortable using to cover boob/baby, be confident and go for it. Really you don't get hassle or people staring, and if you do stare back they will be more put off by you !!

I like feeding baby in his carrier as I can keep walking around. Glad you have started going out more, in no time you will wonder what you were worried about!

Need to lose weight!! Arg!! Baby now nearly 8 months and still breast feeding. Hes on solids now as well so not feeding as much.. Still carrying the weight I put on in Pregnancy so feeling very heavy and also very unattractive! Started Weightwatchers, lost a stone but put some back on recently so feeling annoyed with myself. Really need to exercise but fractured my foot when baby was 2 weeks old and is still very tendor. Should go swimming but look far too fat!! Just need a moan ladies if anyone cares to join in?

I would try a ring sling or a large pashmina to cover yourself and your ds during feeding. If you go to a place like Starbucks/Costa Coffee you are likely to come across other breastfeeding mums.

Don't stay in! You and your ds will be fine.