Breastfeeding in public

[GlosNewMum]

Hello,

I'm a new mum and would like some advise on breastfeeding when out and about in town. I'm based in Gloucester but wondered if anyone found that any national chain shops, cafes, restaurants had provided a particularly welcoming/ non-judgmental environment when feeding.

I know that everywhere should but it would be good to get some recommendations of places people have felt really comfortable when first starting to feed in public.

Thanks!

I'm not in your region but John Lewis and Costa have been particularly good for me.
Having said that, I've never had anything but positivity when feeding in public anywhere at all.

not from the area but I have never felt uncomfortable anywhere bf in public- except once in a hospital would you believe but to be honest it was my second and I couldnt give a $hit about other peoples opinions.

I second Costa. But I have to say I've only ever had one bad experience when feeding, usually people don't notice or are very nice about it.

Where I live there's a breastfeeding support group that meets up often and gives advice etc, it's called Breastmates I'm not sure if it's regional or if there's a lot of groups but I found going there helped with my confidence and feeding in public.

I'm not in your area but honestly I breastfed my first until he was 2 in public and my second is now 5 months. I can honestly say I have never had a judgey look or comment from anyone but family. Tunnel vision and just get on with it. The more you do it, the more comfortable you will feel.

I don't have any experience in Gloucester but I've breastfed anywhere and everywhere in my local area. I've fed my DD in almost every coffee chain going (and independent ones). I've fed her in all sorts of restaurants and pubs. In the middle of the shopping centre, department stores, national trust sites, public parks etc. The list goes on.

I'm yet to experience any negativity and have always felt comfortable. I appreciate I'm possibly quite lucky but generally no one cares. And to be honest, once you get used to doing it, very few people will even notice.

You can buy cover ups if you want added privacy but me and DD didn't get on with them so I didn't bother.

You could also have a look and see if there are any coffee shops near you that host mum groups because they might feel a bit more welcoming to begin with. I'd say just give it a go anywhere though :)

Congratulations on your baby! I know Gloucester a bit and would recommend Caffè Nero down at the quays (comfy chairs, space for buggy, baby changing facilities), Roots (same as above), Waterstones cafe used to be good but I haven’t been for absolutely ages. I never had any (noticeable) bad experiences when breastfeeding in public- I did it on the bus, in parks, wherever really. Good luck and don’t let anyone make you feel embarrassed about feeding your baby!

Costa is very welcoming to breastfeeding mums. I basically lived in my local one with my second child. I'd sit right in the window too lol.

I never had any issue with public breastfeeding and did it where ever I needed.

Never had anything other than positivity.
Franky and bennys waitress held my food under the lamp to keep it warm whilst I fed for 15 minutes!!!! How kind I almost cried.

I think almost everyone is nice and the very rare occasion someone’s an arsehole it’s told everywhere because it’s such an obscene thing to be weird about

I live nearby and breastfed both my children into toddlerhood and didn't have any bad experiences. I used to meet my NCT group in the Portivo lounge for coffee in the early days and they seemed very welcoming.

Thanks everyone- this is all really useful and has made me feel much more confident x

Bf everywhere never had a problem tbh, I’ve even bf on the bus and one benches no one ever said or done anything (positive or negative) I’ve bf 4 children.

I breastfed most places. In my experience (three babies all breastfed) people taking issue with BFing is actually very rare. It's only because the rare experiences get a lot of attention that it seems like there are a lot of BF unfriendly people and places. The vast majority of negative reactions to Brestfeeding are women's batshit crazy in-laws making snidey comments about it being weird and creepy or a nasty DM who the breastfeeding mum "never really had a good relationship with anyway.".

Don’t know your area OP but as others have said I didn’t have any negative experiences breastfeeding, hope it goes well for you.

For your own comfort, and these were just my personal preferences, I really liked breastfeeding vests from H&M as could be worn under a top or jumper and my torso was covered (mostly for warmth, I had a winter lockdown baby so most of our away from home breastfeeding happened on park benches! But I’d say they helped with confidence too). Also as it’s winter you may already be wearing a scarf, which can be used as a light cover. Again, hopefully you won’t feel the need to cover up, but I found it useful when baby started to get more easily distracted (and for warmth!).

Confidence-wise I think it’s good to know you have that option iyswim? And rather than having to remember extra items like a specific cover, you just wear a blanket scarf instead of a narrower neck scarf.

I know this post is old but in case people search it up for advice. There is a chapel by the blocks called mariners Gloucester, there has never been anyone in there when I've been so it's a nice quiet place to breastfeed ❤️