Breastfeeding in public

[Sunflower1985]

On my rocky road to establish bf'ing I'm feeding my ds on demand, regardless of where I am. Today, for example, saw me walking around Tescos with him under my jumper leisurely sucking away.

Thing is, I can't recall ever seeing anyone do this. So just checking, am I being wildly inappropriate? Where are all the bf'ers?

[ameliaandme]

I find a good nursing top gives me confidence to bf anywhere and an ergo carrier is brill, people can't see unless they really try

[VikingLady]

I didn't start bf DD whilst walking of my own free will - she pulls my top down and hoiks my boob out by herself, and contorts herself so she can reach!

She has always refused to feed underneath anything, and wouldn't feed if I pulled my top up even when she was tiny (I think she was more comfortable seeing my face clearly) so all my tops allow this.

[Xmasbaby11]

I wouldn't bf while walking as I liked to be resting and have DD in a comfortable position. But if it works for you, that's great!

[spanishring]

I did it everywhere except on the bus! I felt self conscious on the bus. Then last week I was listening to some young girls and this is sort of irrelevant but sort of not, she was wearing a ( religious ) headscarf and she was telling her friends that she breastfed on the bus and I felt really happy that she breastfed on the bus ( and silly that I didn't )

[rockybalBOOOOa]

They are there just that 99% of people do it so discretely you'd never notice.

[ilikeFISH]

Your welcome. Hope it helps, it takes a bit of getting your head round instructions so thought it would be easier to show you.

Got to love youtube!

[DaleyBump]

FISH thank you

[BeCool]

"If you are bfing so that few people notice you are being DISCREET.
DISCRETE feeding means that you are feeding baby as a one-off or somehow separately from normal feeding."

Well this wasn't true for me - I never set out to be in anyone's face, but neither did I try to be discreet. I really wasn't bothered about it and I wasn't bothered by what other people did or didn't think about me BF'ing. I fed my babies on demand and was out and about everywhere with both babies, though more so with DD1, so lots of public feeds.

Maybe people did notice and I simply didn't notice them? Of maybe they just didn't notice?

for the record, I have 40E's when not BF'ing. I found using those stretch Bravado bras gave some under boob support even when feeding.

[allbottledup]

Firstly, because I've read the whole thread and this is really irritating me:

If you are bfing so that few people notice you are being DISCREET.
DISCRETE feeding means that you are feeding baby as a one-off or somehow separately from normal feeding.

Anyway, back to the topic - I feed almost everywhere but have got much more confident since I started using a bebe au lait. I know it's less discreet but I have no problem at all with people knowing that I'm feeding, and I feel more comfortable and relaxed with a cover. Baby is therefore also more comfortable and relaxed and feeds are more efficient and calmer.

I'm in awe at the walking feeders, and a bit jealous. My boobs are massive and I have to support their weight during a feed so it's just not an option for me!

[Sunflower1985]

My FIL was for sure the most uncomfortable to feed in front of, but since my ds was born they have been over so often he'd starve if i didn't get over it. Loving these replies and feeling a lot more confident, thank you

[mrsspagbol]

Love this thread!

[LoganMummy]

Chunky - I know exactly what you mean re feeding in front of strangers as opposed to ILs!

Just remembered, feeding in a garden centre, the sheds/summer houses are fab to feed in!

[ChunkyPickle]

I've never managed to walk and feed due to enormo-boobs, but I've sat and fed loads of places (outdoor furniture sections in DIY shops are always good) - most people just don't notice what I'm up to, although a few people have clearly realised and given me a little smile as they walk by.

This is my second, and I've even happily fed in front of DP's and my entire family's now - although it took a deep breath the first couple of times (I don't know why, feeding in front of strangers is so much easier than feeding in front of FIL/Dad/SIL etc.)

[MoominsYonisAreScary]

My friend has a bf apron but she doesnt use it very often. The first time I bf in public was just after it snowed, around march time. It was on a park full of dads with small children. Dont think I was very discrete as was having trouble latching and had to take my coat off in the end.

The only person to bat an eyelid was dp who screached 'your not going to do it here are you' which probably drew more attention to it, he hasnt said anything since i might add!

[MoominsYonisAreScary]

I bf ds4 all over, although I tend to use the baby room in places like tesco as im usually on my own and have ds3 2.7 with me as well who would be running round the place if left to his own devices.

I dont walk around bf so much anymore as ds4 is 8 months now and quite heavy and wriggly! Ive had no negative comments when feeding in public

[LamaDrama]

I express sometimes & take a bottle out with me,

I get this strange urge to shout out really loud " Its all miiiinnne, , I did it this morning"

[ilikeFISH]

Here you go

Not in a boba wrap but you´ll get the idea

[ilikeFISH]

Daleybump

Might be easier to show you

Not a new born obviously but this is a similar way to how I used to breast feed DD (reflux)

But you can also do a more normal bf position, I´ll see if I can find a video of that.

hth

[DaleyBump]

Sorry to hijack but can anyone please give me tips on how to bf in a sling? 34 weeks pregnant with my first and I have no idea how to do it. I can barely work out how to use a sling in the first place tbh. I have a boba wrap if anyone can help?

[FarToGo]

Another anywhere/everywhere here, I fed my daughter in the middle of Covent Garden Piazza last week - no one batted an eyelid!
What helped me was doing the "first time" early on, I think she was a week old and we were at a local pub - I was still off my head on painkillers (post section) and I sat in the garden next to a famous sports star, which had to be pointed out to me incidentally!

Does anyone use those BF aprons? I saw a woman on the train the other day, wearing one, obviously feeding... I think they draw more attention to you.

[LoganMummy]

I will happily BF DD anywhere. I used to get a bit flustered but now I'm firmly of the opinion that needs must, no matter where I am. I'm another one who doesn't really do BFing discreetly - she pops on and off a lot!

In Scotland there is a law to protect parents giving milk to under 2's in public places. Unsure about the rest of UK.

[VikingLady]

I bf walking around - DD is 19m and pulls my top down and helps herself if I carry her on my hip. Very few people seem to really notice.

Also fed at a wake, during weddings and christenings, meetings, on buses, park benches, a beach, and in a checkout queue.

[MikeReepySpooksard]

I bf'd everywhere and anywhere too. You probably have seen people doing it and it didn't even register. x

[ScientistwithoutWhiteCoat]

People don't notice, or don't say anything. I find blokes in cafes are sometmes so desperate to prove they don't have a problem with their customers breastfeeding they end up compulsively offering glasses of water every minute, but otherwise never had any problem. Well there was dd's first feed outside the house, 8 days old and in the cinema. I had problems latching her on in the dark and ended up squirting a small girl across the aisle, in her ear. Her mum told her off for making a fuss and I felt a bit bad but wasn't in a state to do anything (ds age nearly 4 was desperate to see a certain film and I figured I might get a snooze...)

Never managed bfing standing up or walking though, and need to stick my elbow out. Find a cafe with lots of comfy sofas - that's where breastfeeders congregate, if at all!

Actually I managed to bf standing up once, while throwing up with a stomach bug, but that was more because I couldn't figure out how to move ds without getting him showered, but he was quite sheltered under my breasts...

[SatinSandals]

I don't think people notice, I'm sure that I wouldn't now I am long past that stage. I fed everywhere and anywhere and never had a negative comment.