Breastfeeding in public your thoughts?

[Yazza123]

So I strictly breastfeed which has its pros and cons. One con is definitely when I am out with my 3 month old who insist that she will only have the boob it is hard to locate a breastfeeding friendly room nearby so what do you do when you are out and there is no feeding rooms nearby? I know there are discreet covers you can use in public places but is there anybody who openly breastfeeds in public? Surely it’s 2018 breastfeeding should not be an issue to do in public but nearby cafes and shops should have rooms for bf mums.

[PaperdollCartoon]

Just feed openly and if anyone has a problem tell them to stuff it. Women should be able to feed anywhere they like, not sheltered off in special rooms.

[PaperdollCartoon]

You really think cafes should have breastfeeding rooms?

[spugzbunny]

With the right clothes (layers!) you can feed without showing anything. It's the latching on that can be hard but find a quite corner. I've got F cups now and I am manage it without anyone noticing!

[TheMarshwiggle]

Everyone I know who breastfeeds does it in public with no issues. The only time I appreciated a feeding room was when my first baby was very young and we hadn’t really got the hang of feeding yet.

[katmarie]

I have a nice stretchy scarf which I loop over me and ds to feed in public. I have this one in grey, it works very well and I feed happily in public, I've had no trouble yet.

Kiddo Care Nursing Cover Infinity Nursing Scarf for Breastfeeding (Bold Black) https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B013R1OUZE/ref=cmswwrcppapi_pn.QAbQ53JD1T

[S0upertrooper]

I breastfed in 1994 and fed wherever I needed to. I just tucked the baby under my top and I don't think anyone could see my boob. At first I was a wee bit self conscious but I often went out with a friend who had breastfed 3 and she gave me confidence. I was never challenged and I would have kicked off if I had been. Can you join a bf group to meet other mums? I love to see bf babies, go for it!!!

[S0upertrooper]

I don't think cafes should be expected to provide a separate bf room. I think it's acceptable to bf in public.

[lorisparkle]

My 3 ds were all exclusively breastfed. This included on the top deck of an open top bus, restaurants, park benches, etc. The only person who ever negatively commented was my husbands auntie who was put in her place by her husband! In fact when round some relatives they commented at the end that he went a long time without a feed. In fact I had fed him twice and no one noticed!

[91bees]

I breastfeed in public. I normally wear a nursing vest top and a t-shirt or thin top as a second layer, so the only exposure people might see would be a tiny flash of nipple before DS latches.
No be has said anything negative to me, most don't notice. A couple of people have even offered to grab me another drink when I'd finished the first and I'd been pinned down by the baby for half an hour

[windchimesabotage]

Yes I openly breastfed in public with my son and intend to do it again this time with my daughter.
I did use the feeding room in M&S once or twice but mainly because they had a water filter and a comfy chair... not to hide from anyone.

I didnt use a cover either or special breastfeeding tops I just used clothing I could easily pull down.
No one ever bothered me or stared at me. Never had a single problem with it and have seen lots of other women doing it. Most of my friends with children breastfed publicly except for one who sadly could not produce milk.

I regularly see breastfeeding mums just sat at tables having a coffee with friends whilst feeding their babies, in the cafes round here!

I dont think most cafes will be able to provide breastfeeding rooms. Many have 'breastfeeding friendly' signs in the window.
The only places that can really afford entire breastfeeding rooms are big shopping centres and places like John Lewis or M&S.
It would be very expensive for small cafes to provide an entire separate room for a handful of women who may or may not come to the cafe!

[Pandoraslastchance]

I wore two vest tops with middle child. One with longer straps so I could get it down and loft the top layer.

By the time I was bf my youngest I gave no fucks, wore what I wanted and either went over the top or lifted the top.

If you are wanting a cover you could try a pasmina or light scarf.

[Alexkate2468]

I just feed wherever I am. I've honestly never had anybody say anything to me negative to me. Quite the opposite actually. One day a Starbucks worker noticed my baby had fallen asleep feeding on me and kept coming over to top up my cup or check if I needed anything. A little cafe in Keswick brought me juice and cake while I fed, M and S told me to skip a queue and sit down as my baby was crying to be fed, the member of staff sorted my food and brought it to me. I'm willing to bet you'll have more positive instances breastfeeding in public than negative.

[Harebellmeadow]

Absolutely fine (and essential) to breastfeed in public. You also have legal rights to not be discriminated again or to be pushed into the Loos. If you shy away and are shy about it, you also make things not-easier for other mothers in the future.
Please do not ever allow yourself to be pushed into sitting on a public toilet to breastfeed if you seek privacy. Rather buy an American Style tent breastfeeding scarf/cover if you are a bit shy.

[espoleta]

I openly breastfeed in public. I don't think it's realistic to think that all cafes ect will have room specifically for breastfeeding.
I've never had any issues feeding in public, I don't even think people around me even notice.

[Fluffiest]

Yeah breastfeeding in public is fine. I fed DD for a yeah in lots of places and never had any weird looks or comments.

But I do remember shopping once in a shopping outlet with my very little DD who was making feeding cues whilst DH was trying on clothes. A very kind changing room assistant offered me a nice spacious changing room to feed in.

She didn't have to do it and it wasn't to hide me away, it was just a little bit of consideration and I really appreciated it. It was a nice quiet spot to feed in and meant we didn't have to rush on to the nearest cafe.

[ShoeJunkie]

Agree with pp, I've fed both DS whenever and wherever they needed to. Layering up with vest and a top meant I didn't need to show more than I intended.
In my experience the vast majority of people either don't realise or care about what you are doing.

[SomeKnobend]

Just wop a boob out and stick the baby on. His head will be in the way of anyone seeing your boob.

I've fed both ways and bfing while out is by far easier than bottle feeding. Making up formula, heating / bottle, staying out longer than you thought and not having enough formula, it's a fucking nightmare tbh! By contrast, breastmilk comes at exactly the right temperature, you never run out of it, you don't have to have any equipment or prepare anything, it's easy. The only problem is you seem to have a sense of shame or embarrassment about it which is completely unnecessary. Most people won't notice or care, and those that do aren't worth changing anything for.

[StylishDuck]

I BF my first for a year and currently BFing my second. I can honestly say I've never had any negative comments from anyone and I've BF in all sorts of weird places. Most people don't even notice or if they do they don't care. I don't think it's that much of an issue really. I do use BFing rooms if they're available but it's only ever been in shopping centres I've seen them.

[sausagepastapot]

BF wherever you like, covered or not. It's totally fine and totally legal. Anyone says anything untoward, tell them to get stuffed.

[Popadoodledoo]

I feed openly anywhere.

And guess what. I don't cover either

[ISaySteadyOn]

Just feed them. I have bfed 3 and nothing except people bringing me water.

[tigerrun]

I breastfed wherever and constantly in public - I was all set with witty comebacks, put downs and facts should I be challenged....I never got anything but supportive looks and occasionally supportive comments. A non issue IMO.

[PinkbicyclesinBerlin]

I ostentatiously breastfed.

I am the one you read about on all these threads. My breasts were constantly on display just to make all men feel queasy —because until the saw me they thought breasts were just for their own pleasure— and women feel bad about their own breastfeeding experiences.

I flapped the boobs about, I delibrately starved my babies until I headed out and about so as many people as possible could watch me feed. I didn’t stop breastfeeding when other people were uncomfortable, I fed past the first couple of weeks after which everyone knew I was just doing it for myself because there is no good in breast milk after that.

Nah, none of that actually happened, I just fed my baby when it was hungry but I just thought I’d summarise a breastfeeding thread on the first page for everyone’s convenience.

[childmindingmumof3]

I just feed anywhere I can sit down.
When I couldn't sit down (walking round a museum with 5 other children!) I fed with baby in a sling.

[AlwaysOldBeforeMyTime]

I found it terrifying feeding in public at first but honestly once you've done it a couple of times it just becomes normal!

I started by trying to find corner tables etc so I could face away from the main room but once used to it could get baby latched on and feeding away fairly Easily. Never had any comments, and if I felt awkward I'd keep myself busy on my phone so I didn't worry about people looking!