Any bf teachers - opinions needed please

[enjolraslove]

Hi. I need some opinions, not sure I've got it straight. I teach in a secondary school but am currently on leave with my dc2- she is only 3 months and ebf. I have been invited to a really nice event in 2 days with a group of kids and I will have to take dd with me. The kids will love that she is there but I am concerned how the kids would find it if I fed her. It is a small event, I couldn't leave to feed her (and in my head I believe in bf in public etc). I'm not at all ashamed and I think the kids should know about it, but equally I don't want to embarrass them.
What do you think? Shall I make my excuses or will they be ok?

Its a normal part of life. Just take your dd and enjoy yourself

Thank you! That is what my instincts say but nice to have it confirmed!

I would always feed in front of teenagers...it's good for them to see BFing as a normal parenting option, the less fuss made about it the better. Plus this is the generation who had broadband as babies and reality TV at a young age, I'm pretty sure it would take more than seeing the back of a baby's head and a couple of inches of skin to shock them

You would probably be doing them a service, showing them a good breastfeeding relationship. However, I understand your concern about all -round public embarrassment. It's mostly (in my experience) about the flapping boobs bit, before they latch on or after, when they finish. Appropriate clothing (layers, cardigans, bf tops) can all help, as would tucking a muslin cloth in the bra strap to strategically cover your shoulder/DC's head or using a sling. As an experienced mama, I am sure you have your own tricks up your sleeve to avoid awkwardness.

Either way, congratulations on DC2 and enjoy the event.

I'm a secondary teacher and have fed both my babies in front of students when I've taken them in for a visit and also talked about bf with them too. All part of how we normalise for the next generation!

I was a teacher before dd and I agree with everyone else. We're meant to be role models- modelling doing what's best for baby in front of them should be part of that.

Thanks all. We went, it was lovely. I fed her (a lot), kids didn't bat an eyelid. Very proud of them.

Glad you had a nice time