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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

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Original poster

Breastfeeding in public- any feedback or thoughts?

37 replies

oremstango · 30/01/2007 18:39

I have an 8-week old and still trying to get comfortable with breastfeeding him in public. I don't want to end up in the disabled toilet every time we're out! Any thoughts on what you found successful for this and reactions you found?

One additional twist is an upcoming leisure trip through work and need to get confident enough to feed around people I work with- ugh.

OP posts:

Kiff · 30/01/2007 18:44

what problems do you have? define more pls.

latch on latch off?

getting started?

big fear of indecent exposure?

large breasts needing both hands to latch?

crying babe?

moondog · 30/01/2007 18:47

Are you comfy and confident at home and around friends/family?
If you are,that's a good start.

Practice in front of the mirror.

Best combination is a tshirt and cardigan,although someone had done a link to a 'belly belt' which is a piece of material that goes round your middle to stop you exposing acres of post natal midriff,which,as you will quickly learn,is the main concern of most people.

BethAndHerBrood · 30/01/2007 18:49

I was a bit uncomfortable at first too. Have large boobs which makes been discreet a bit tricky! I found that making sure my clothes were suitable really helped. Just because you look gorgeous doesn't mean it will be easy to feed!! And I always had a light jacket or cardi with me to wrap around my shoulders which blocked the side view. We have the hang of it now, and I whip 'em out all over the place without a second thought!

The only negative experience was last week. In a cafe and the people at the next table moved when I started feeding. But that says more about them than me, so it doesn't bother me.

shonaspurtle · 30/01/2007 18:51

What I've found is that once the baby is on you can't see anything really.

So the best thing to do is not to faff about trying to keep as covered up as possible and drawing even more attention to yourself, just be really matter of fact about it, get your boob out, latch him on and then adjust your clothes if you want to.

I've not done a massive amount of feeding in public yet but am totally comfortable now at friend's houses etc. Have found that the husbands go to a lot of trouble to show that they're looking you in the eye and not any lower .

My main problem is that I'm still not totally comfortable without a cushion or pillow so it's awkward if I'm just in a cafe or somewhere and the latch can go wrong. Am practicing!

moondog · 30/01/2007 18:52

Beth,maybe they were trying to give you some space and privacy?

DizzyBint · 30/01/2007 18:53

vest or t shirt with cardigan combo worked best for me, not special breastfeeding clothes, never bothered with them. my baby was big so covered most of me, then i kept the vest low, to maybe her nose, so nothing showed at all. never had any reactions that i noticed, but then i didn't look for any.

DizzyBint · 30/01/2007 18:53

oh yes, did get obvious reaction from FIL, he'd leave the room or take his glasses off.

moondog · 30/01/2007 18:55

lol at taking the glasses off!

ProfYaffle · 30/01/2007 19:01

I found the more matter of fact I was about it, the more at ease other people were. I never had a bad experience when bf in public (fortunately).

OldieMum · 30/01/2007 19:06

DS is 6 months old. I have bf-ed him in public many times and have had no problems at all, indeed many encouraging smiles. I second the advice about wearing a cardigan - it makes it easy to be discreet.

TravellingontheClaphamOmnibus · 30/01/2007 19:10

I've never had any negative experiences. But then I glare at anyone who stares at me so maybe I head them off before they start!

IntergalacticWalrus · 30/01/2007 19:13

I find a vest under a jumper combo good also. Lift your jumper up and then your nork of choice of the the top, et voila, no stretchmarky, porridgey abdomen on display.

I let it all hang out tbh, but I have no shame.

IntergalacticWalrus · 30/01/2007 19:14

Over the top of the vest.

Sorry, bad day. Red wine has been consumed

monkeymonkeymoomoo · 30/01/2007 19:15

Second what everyone else says. Layers are the key, a vest that you can pull down and a cardi that pulls up/out means minimum exposure. This time of year its easy not to expose much, a big coat hides a multitude of sins!

Worth conatcting a BF support group, they will give you some ideas of bf friendly establishments. One final point, once you have done it a few times you will become immune to doing it in public and I have found that the overall response to BF women is positive

Highlander · 30/01/2007 19:16

Buy a really cheap gillet. Allows you to maximise top-pulling-up and getting the baby latched on without revealing too much belly/other boob etc etc. Wish I'd known this with DS1!!

Indith · 30/01/2007 19:20

My need for cake in my fav cafe led to early public feeding! IMO feeding shows a heck of a lot less breast than you see down the high street on a Friday night so I don't care. Not had any negative comments at all, actually had someone say 'aw he looks so nice and sated now' after a feed. My main worry is that he latches on and off a lot which sometimes results in jet spray milk but I don't think anyone has noticed yet........

Anyway, go for it and after a couple of tims you will be fine.

SoupDragon · 30/01/2007 19:22

Oooh, a pouch sling like a Coorie is good for this. Takes some practice getting them latched on but then it's very unobtrusive and pretty much hands free. Great for restaurants or people you feel uncomfortable feeding in front of.

meanscottishbint · 30/01/2007 19:23

pashmina scarves are very useful for covering up and a stylish solution too!

SoupDragon · 30/01/2007 19:23

FWIW, I've never had any reactions and I've bf 3 here there and everwhere. I've even fed DD in the front window of Starbucks.

AlanasMum · 30/01/2007 19:24

I was always very squeamish about bfing in public (my own issues), but had to feed a couple of times on a plane I found a shawl or pashmina worked well.

maewest · 30/01/2007 19:39

tbh I found it much more discreet feeding when my boy was small, now he's 6 months he likes to pop off every now and then and have a look round/chat etc, but I just pull my jumper back down sharpish if that happens. Don't think most people notice what you're doing, and any people who have said anything to me have been positive.

With regards to work colleagues, I fed DS at our work xmas party a while back, no probs at all, but found it more comfortable to sit with someone I got on with, but mainly because I wanted to chat to her anyway.

Original poster

oremstango · 30/01/2007 20:32

Thanks so much everyone! My concerns were across the board so appreciate the thoughts. What on earth is a gillet? (Sorry from the US...)

OP posts:

DizzyBint · 30/01/2007 20:33

body warmer. sleeveless jacket basically.

naughtymummy · 30/01/2007 20:52

Anothher thought about the cushion take a squashy bag to stick under your elbow i'm guessing thats what you use the cushion for ??. Agree with others just get on with it no one will notice, rather than faffing about with scarfs etc. Cardis are essential- good luck

adath · 30/01/2007 22:22

The feeding in front of a mirror is a fantastic tip, I did that when DS was tiny and realised that you could see NOTHING not a flash from the front whe I was getting him on and off I of course could see everything becasue I was on the other side looking down.

One way I got round it was basically keep repeating to myself that by doing this I might be making it aseier for just one person to be insoired to do it oo rahter than hiding away. I just decided that there was no way I was hiding to do it so many mothers do and we have no reason to be ashamed.

Start off with baby groups or nfar corners of shopping centre food courts and work out.

after a while though you will be doing it without thinking you get to the stage where you think oh baby needs fed and do it.

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