Where do you breastfeed

[Soph88888]

Hi

I have a 2 week old and we have so far breastfed in a park, in pizza express, a pub garden, etc.
I just want to know though where you breastfeed if You aren’t already in somewhere, for example if baby is hungry and you are just shopping? Do you have to go in a cafe and buy something? Are there places you can go and not buy anything?

If I was shopping and baby needed feeding then I'd either go to a cafe where I knew they didn't object (it was a long time ago and the law has changed since) and buy a drink, or go into John Lewis who had a lovely feeding and changing area. Or even sit on a bench on the high Street.

I don’t think you can really go in cafes etc and not buy anything personally. I would find a bench or go back to my car. Or, if nearby, places like library or leisure centre, shopping mall etc would be fine. Even supermarkets often have a seat or bench somewhere that you could use.

I would usually feed in the car before getting out and then time stops in cafes etc. Though I've also fed on random benches around town/in shopping centres and have been offered the use of fitting rooms in clothes shops before (though this was pre-covid, not sure what the situation would be with that now). Some shops have feeding rooms too (John Lewis).

As your baby gets older you'll fall into more of a predictable routine which makes things easier in terms of timing feeds, you can also feed an older baby whilst they're in a sling which is a useful knack to get the hang of.

Look for signs in a shop doorway or window saying “Breastfeed Happily Here” and ask them. They’ll give you a seat & most offer a drink of water and a chat.

I fed anywhere and everywhere really. I tended to scope out possibilities as I arrived at places. I preferred quieter locations for less distractions... But wouldn't feed in a 'feeding room' where the seats were inches away from the nappy bin.

Sorry....that’s a local scheme, I thought it was nationwide (at least Scotland wide). Sorry.

I just find a bench or a patch of grass to sit on. You can feed in some slings too if you've mastered the knack!

I fed anywhere but if I was in a coffee shop I would always buy something. Not sure it's ok to sit in just to feed baby without buying anything for yourself!

As baby got older we needed to be in a quieter place yo feed - he used to get very distracted when he heard noises and talking.

Most cafes are okay if you feed first before buying something. No one wants a screaming baby for longer than needed! The cafes with the ‘breastfeeding friendly badges’ don’t mind if you don’t buy anything but come in to feed, although I always did.

I fed all over the place and would do it standing up sometimes too if there was nowhere I could sit. Most people don’t notice you are feeding and if they do, they don’t care!

Congrats on the new baby.

I didn't BF, but if I was out and went in cafe I'd certainly buy something. Wouldn't have dreamt of just sitting there

JL used to have nice clean areas you could use whilst shopping.

Anywhere and everywhere. I've fed on a bench in a busy shopping centre on Christmas eve (nobody batted an eyelid), in a church (during a visit and a service), in a castle turret (also a visit). If out for the day and intending to eat out myself, then usually asked for a corner table/booth, no need to mention its for feeding. Feeding in the car is an idea, invariably baby was usually completely asleep for this feed, and required a proper meal not long after anyway.

You are legally allowed to feed anywhere in England, though doing it in Starbucks without at least buying a cuppa seems a bit cheeky. That said, there's a lovely indie coffee shop in my village that welcomes bf, I've often seen mums in there in a quiet moment with a glass of water.

Lots of shopping centres and public buildings like museums have feeding rooms.

DON'T be relegated to the disabled loo!!

I'm lucky in that my local shopping centre has loads of benches but also fed in cafes

I breastfed wherever I was really. Nearest bench or grassy place, kids park, spent a lot of time in libraries, in a cafe/ restaurant/ bar etc. Community centre, McDonald's, benches in the mall, theatre foyer, beach. We used to do a lot of UK mini breaks, so I would find myself in places I didn't know so well and improvise. Also bus, tram, tube, aeroplane, ferry. I've sat by fountains, at theme parks, water parks and paddling pools, caravan site, festivals, mountains etc. And also at bus stops, Coach stations, doctors waiting areas, children's centre, everywhere really. All the same places I'd bottle feed, only without the need to make the milk, sterilise etc.

I used to bring a giant muslin and just either sit on it or use it as a cover and could basically do it anywhere.

I would buy something if I was sitting in a cafe to be honest, I'm taking up a table a paying customer could have which is a bit cheeky imo. Other than that, anywhere, that's the beauty of itN

I feed anywhere and everywhere. If I am planning to sit down and feed in somewhere like Costa, I always make sure I buy a coffee to sit with.

I regularly wander round Bluewater but it is now a nightmare if you need to feed because they have removed all seating areas other than at restaurants/coffee shops.

I would feed before going out ideally, as my toddler would run off the min I would try and sit down and feed!!

You can feed anywhere you want really. I've fed whilst walking round Ikea. I just perched on a stack of rugs. You can feed in John Lewis, they have feeding rooms but you can just feed on a chair in the store. In malls there are benches and seats throughout. If I had to buy something every time a young baby needed feeding I'd be skint.
As they get older their feeds are shorter and you can get slings which you can wear, walk and feed on the go.

Just be careful in coffee shops that your drink is not so near as the baby kicks it over.

Especially when it is hot tea and goes all over you ().......