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Infant feeding

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

Original poster

Can I breastfeed in America??????

29 replies

Myfairone · 03/11/2007 22:44

I know this sounds like a ridiculous question but I have had a huge argument with my husband tonight.....HELP!

We are going to America in two weeks time and he is desperate for LO to take a bottle because he says that breastfeeding is not accepted in America.

I have gotten so used to just feeding LO wherever I go I find it hard to believe that I am going to have to battle to get him onto a bottle so that I can go anywhere whilst there.

Can anyone help me with some answers?

OP posts:
mybabysinthegarden · 03/11/2007 22:47

Where exactly are you going?

lemonaidtreasonandplot · 03/11/2007 22:47

Breastfeeding is accepted in America, and extended breastfeeding is more common there than it is here (still not common, exactly, but more common). Many states actually have laws enshrining the right to breastfeed in public.

Where are you going?

mybabysinthegarden · 03/11/2007 22:52

I did it around the northeast this summer with no problem.

Jackstini · 03/11/2007 22:56

Never had a problem, travelled in California, Arizona, Nevada, Georgia, Kentucky, New York....
Also expressed on American Airlines flights a few times with no problem - the stewardesses are lovely.
I found US more accepting than UK to be honest, most states have laws against interupting/obstructing breastfeeding mothers too. Sure you will be fine. How old is your baby? (Extended bfing is also more common there)

KerryMumKABOOM · 03/11/2007 22:58

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Gingerbear · 03/11/2007 22:58

Do you mean in public?
Those awful BF capes were designed in US, but I don't really think you'll need to use one.

Califireworks · 03/11/2007 23:08

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

TheBlonde · 03/11/2007 23:22

Never had any issues myself but only been to the North East with a baby
Fed in public no issues - restaurants, cafes, shops, churches

In the US they recommend breastfeeding for 12mths

Bubblesmum · 03/11/2007 23:37

Echoing the other posters, it is totally accepted to breastfeed in public in US. I live here (NorthEast). Do NOT worry at all. Also brill for the flight, bottles would be such a hassle in comparison.

I've only had people approach me in public to say, how nice to see you feeding LO etc...

Have a great trip!

chipmonkey · 03/11/2007 23:40

Yes you can breastfeed in America but only if you draw attention to your breastfeeding by using one of these Hooter Hiders!

kiskidee · 04/11/2007 01:30

at first i thought this thread was going to be about this story hopefully it doesn't put you off bf in public while there. as the woman told park officials, it is a human rights issue.

alipiggie · 04/11/2007 02:37

Was a similar issue to the story above in kiskidee's post in Denver. This resulted in a mass breast feeding in public. Most of my friends here breastfeed/fed in public but they do tend to cover up the baby with a shawl or light blanket.

mezzer · 04/11/2007 02:38

I bf in the states without any problems. I was more afraid of possible negative reactions to bf in the UK (which I never actually got). I think everyone's afraid that it's "not done" in other countries but I think you'll find that it's ok in most all places, especially if you are "discreet"

mezzer · 04/11/2007 02:42

The hooter hider had me chuckling. How ridiculous! I think a muslin square would be more than enough. I never even went that far. Just refrained from "popping the boob out over the top of blouse" and the like.

twentypence · 04/11/2007 02:57

Has your dh actually thought through how difficult bottle feeding whilst on holiday would be compared with bfing?

I found the UK a lot less bfing friendly than NZ when I went on holiday - that did not stop me feeding ds anywhere and everywhere.

What does your dh think will happen to you if you bf in public?

ExplosiveScienceT · 04/11/2007 03:34

You can breastfeed in the USA, and you don't need to cover yourself up.

ExplosiveScienceT · 04/11/2007 03:34

You can breastfeed in the USA, and you don't need to cover yourself up.

ExplosiveScienceT · 04/11/2007 03:34

You can breastfeed in the USA, and you don't need to cover yourself up.

rica · 04/11/2007 03:38

Changing your DD's feeding from breast to bottle should be based on DD's needs and not on DH's opinion or on a long or short trip to the other side of the world. DD won't understand that he/she is on different continent but will feel it very much that the beloved breast is not available any more and that is not going to be a nice feeling...

seeker · 04/11/2007 07:06

I fed mine in New York, Florida, California and Maine. A slight frisson in a restaurant in Key West, but that was probably because we were the only straight couple there. Apart from that, no problem, only friendly smiles. Even in Disneyland - where bf is probably the only bodily function tolerated!

LazyLinePainterJane · 04/11/2007 08:11

Are you moving there or going on holiday? If it's the latter does he not realise what a huge hassle it will be with bottles on a holiday?

Original poster
Myfairone · 04/11/2007 11:20

Thank you so much ladies. We are just going a one week holiday and Dh is adamant its not accepted there....I am now starting to realise that he is the one with the problem!

OP posts:
NotQuiteCockney · 04/11/2007 11:22

I do think it's slightly more normal to cover up (muslin square, whatever) there, but it's certainly normal to breastfeed.

How old is your LO. Is your DH normally accepting of bf? Is he American?

alarkaspree · 04/11/2007 11:24

I breastfed my over-one-year-old ds on the NYC subway several times, as well as in various restaurants, and no one ever batted an eyelid.

NotQuiteCockney · 04/11/2007 11:28

I would think you're more likely to get comments and odd reactions in small towns than in NYC or Boston or LA or whatever.

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