Breastfeeding in public, what to do?

[charlie13032017]

So I had my little boy just over 4 weeks ago and I've been breastfeeding constantly on demand.

I'm starting to go a little stir mad though as I'm scared to leave the house invade he gets hungry and I'm really not confident in feeding him in public..
Another problem, I have to get on a 45minute bus ride tomorrow to get him registered, so I know either when we get there or on the way back he's going to get hungry..
Obviously I'm not going to let him starve but I really don't know what to do..
can I mix feed? And take 1 bottle of formula and give him that if he gets hungry? All my friends bottle feed and I'm the only one breastfeeding, being 20 they're not overly keen on it but I wanted to give it ago and I still seem to be going strong other than th fact of going out in public :(
What do all you breastfeeding Mamas do?
Any advice/support would be highly appreciated

[43percentburnt]

Well done Charlie! You'll be walking round shops feeding next. Cross over Wrap style dresses with a vest top underneath are great. With my first baby I wore tshirts with a shirt over the top.

[43percentburnt]

Try wearing a vest top under a baggy t shirt or jumper or a button up shirt. Practice in front of a mirror. Use a muslin too or a nice scarf. It's very easy and very convenient when you have practised. I fed both my twins when registering their birth!

I have only ever had positive comments.

[BreakfastAtSquiffanys]

Well done Charlie.
Maybe with your support, some of your friends might try breastfeeding if they have another baby

[Frouby]

Aw well done momma.

I am large of nork and fed ds everywhere and anywhere. I did use an apron/cover tho mainly because I have boobs bigger than his head and it was just easier.

I even fed him in a busy pub in front of all dps hairy assed builder work mates too. And had an informal business meeting with him latched on. And I was really self conscious to start with.

If you want a giggle look on you tube for a song called Ruin your day with tits. It actually made me more confident as if anyone had ever said anything to me I was going to play that to them.

But in over 12 months of bfing I only ever got nice comments. Including from a scruffy looking older bloke that sat next to me in a shopping centre when I was really self concious doing a rollup fag. Told me it was lovely to see someone bfing, and his wife had fed all 6 of theirs and there wasn't anything boob wouldn't make better.

[Bubbinsmakesthree]

Well done charlie you sound like a pro already!

[Imscarlet]

It gets easier the more you do it. The two top method worked really well for me. Where I live lots of people breastfeed and others don't bat and eyelid!

[charlie13032017]

Thank you all for your advice and support!!
I did it! Haha
I fed in the registrar office and in a park!
The idea of a loose top/jumper over a vest was a brilliant idea and no one said anything!
Thanks again!

[Peachesandcream15]

I remember being so nervous too!! But i like others above, never had any comments made to me, it was absolutely fine! You will get better at it with practice. And you will get to know which cafes or quiet places that you prefer best for feeding. Good luck!

[CountessOfStrathearn]

I always wear vests under my clothes now so I can pull it down and pull my top up and that works well.

Also, I've never, never, ever had a negative comment for breastfeeding in public and I've fed mine (4DC) for in total (does quick sum) almost 5 years! Hopefully you'll have a similar experience.

[buckyou]

I try to be discrete but don't worry about getting my boob out. No one has ever said anything. Even if the do it just shows they are idiots.

[Cwtchythings]

Ahh OP I just took my DD to be registered today and fed her in the park next door afterwards...I had a vest on that I pulled down, a top over it that I lifted and a scarf on that kind of covers the whole area. I do t think anyone even noticed, and she faffs about a lot on one side before latching on...

I don't know many people myself who breastfeed, so I get that it makes it harder to be confident doing it out and about because it feels like you're doing something unusual! Have you seen the Facebook group "can I breastfeed in it?", I've joined and it has given me some great ideas for outfits that are good for feeding in out and about.

[BreakfastAtSquiffanys]

A baby quietly breastfeeding attracts a lot less attention than a hungry baby crying for a feed. The moment he shows signs of wanting a feed, pop him on and no-one will notice. If you try to postpone feeding him until you get somewhere "safe" you'll have a very unhappy baby and a very frazzled mum, and end up trying to get him to settle into a feed in a pretty public place with people staring.
Loving these stories about lovely Registrairs encouraging feeding in the Office.

[Andromache77]

Just read your update, OP, go for it, you'll see it's fine. Then go have a piece of cake as a reward!

[Andromache77]

By the way, I mix-fed DD due to low supply but never when out and about, it was too much trouble. I breastfed her when on the go and gave her the supplemental bottles at home, always after a boob. If that's what you want it's certainly possible, but try not to leave too much time between feeds or your supply will dwindle, and don't do it out of fear of bad reactions, if someone doesn't like it they can look elsewhere. Breastfeeding is great and once established it's the easiest and cheapest option, as well as the healthiest.

[charlie13032017]

Ah so it's all just a phase then!
I think I'm just gonna bite the bullet and go!
I live in a vest and my bf bra it's so much easier! But I like the idea of wearing a baggier one over the top so I may give that ago! I'm only going to go there and straight back

[amysmummy12345]

Wearing two tops helps, that way you pull your boob out over the one underneath and lift the top one, you hardly have any flesh on show that way. I always try to sit facing a wall to avoid making eye contact with nosey parkers 😁

[PastysPrincess]

Just to add I never had a negative comment and it's your legally protected right to breastfeed your baby. Where ever you can lawfully go, you can lawfully breastfeed.

[Andromache77]

If you have a loose shirt or sweater, you can just pull them up to feed, I never even bothered to get special clothes or used a Muslim, well, maybe once, at the very beginning, and DD hated it.

At first it feels weird to be fiddling with your nursing bra and clothes in public (and I'm much older than you) but you get used to it pretty quickly, plus most people won't even notice or care. Find a quiet corner or better still, a quiet cafe, and relax. I used to feel like a queen, feeding my baby and having a cuppa. Think about it, anyone can feed a baby a bottle, even men, but only you can breastfeed your little one and magically keep them calm and nourished.

[Bananacabana]

Please don't be afraid of breastfeeding in public, it's the narrow minded few that make it awkward but it's completely normal and natural and it gets easier with practice.
When I had to register my DC2 he became hungry whilst there and the registrar had no issues with me feeding him there and then. I've breastfed both DC in total 16.5 months and the majority of people were fine.
Good luck!

[PastysPrincess]

I used to wear a boob tube under a loose top. When it was time to feed I would undo my nursing bra and pull down the boob tube- all still covered by loose top. Then I'd get my baby into position towards my boob and just bring up the loose top as I bring the baby towards me. Then as my baby latched I just let the loose top fall where its natural place would be. No one will be able to see much at all.

[SquedgieBeckenheim]

As others have said - loose t-shirt over vest top. T-shirt up, vest top down and feed. Before the first time I fed in public I had DH take a photo of me feeding so I could see how it looked.
The only comments I've ever had were from MIL. Never had a comment in public.

[Bubbinsmakesthree]

Well done for getting through the first few weeks breastfeeding - it can be tough and you've done all the hard work!

One of the best things about breastfeeding is being able to feed on demand when and where you need to without all the faff of making up bottles of formula.

It can definitely feel daunting initially feeding in public but I really recommend facing your fear and giving it a try - I've fed all over the place (even on the bus!) and no-one has ever batted an eyelid. Frankly, if anyone does give you a look - screw them! You're doing the best possible thing for your baby and you are entitled to breastfeed wherever you like.

If you are feeling nervous you can buy special breastfeeding covers but a big scarf does the same job. Wearing a vest top you can pull down and a t-shirt you can pull up I found the easiest way to keep boobs well covered.

Mix feeding is usually possible, in my experience most babies will take both but there are some that are bottle refusers and on the other hand some who prefer the bottle so much they become breast refusers. If you want to try a bottle don't do it for the first time when you are out in case the baby rejects it.

[kiwiscantfly]

If you can pump enough to feed him (I can't, and I've bf three kids) and he doesn't take the bottle you still may have to try and feed him. My advice is this: either wear a vest top and a normal top so you can pull the vest down with your bra and the other top up, or a proper bf top. Sorry if I'm talking like you're stupid, but when I first started bf in public I was worried about exposing myself, and my dc never like the muslin either.

If you have a mirror you can feed in front of, have a go, you'll be surprised how little boob others see. Also, a baby quietly feeding at his age people often think you're just cuddling him.

Long term if you want to feed in public, and I did I believe you need to get practise it. I took mum to a Costa and we sat and I fed dd there while she distracted me from feeling self conscious. This was six years ago now and it must have worked, because I've fed three dc in all manner of places.

Please go easy on yourself, I totally remember being really nervous for quite some time about this, the phrase fake it till you make it springs to mind, it will get easier and you will feel more comfortable, at least I did anyway. And you never know, in situations like this, especially if my dc were in a sling, they'd sometimes have a power nap and sleep the whole way there and back!

Wow, didn't meant to write an essay, hope I've helped at least a little.

[UnicornButtplug]

I was so nervous before feeding in public, totally understand how you feel. 2 years on and I would whip em out anywhere.

When I started I wore a vest that I could pull down underneath a baggy top I could pull up so very minimal exposure.

Good luck and congratulations on feeding your baby, it will be second nature before you know it. I fed for 2 and a half years in the end and the only disapproval I ever got was from family.

[koalab]

My DD started crying when I was registering her. The registrar asked how I was feeding her and said I was welcome to feed there and then. So that was my first experience of breastfeeding when out and about. I hadn't thought it through though so my outfit wasn't very breastfeeding friendly lol. Definitely wear a vest top under your top then pull that down and your top up. Most people don't realise what you're doing.