Breastfeeding position in public (newbie)

[Dulcie6]

I have 3 kids, but have only tried to breastfeed my newest one (2 weeks old).

I’m really not confident doing this outdoors. I feel like I don’t even know what I’m doing in the privacy of my own home, let alone in a cafe.

I’ve got some modesty apron type thing. The only breastfeeding position I’ve done is the ‘cradle hold’. I have managed to do this out in a cafe but she was really heavy to hold and it was a bit of a faff.

What position do you feed in when you’re out in public? Also, if you’re not confident like me - what do you wear so that no one can see your boobs?

Thanks

I always wore strap tops underneath jumpers this time of year so I could lift the jumper up and pull the top down and then my stomach was covered! I don't think I attempted feeding in public that early actually. Once baby can latch without your support it's so much easier! I always just fed the standard hold (sorry don't know what it's called!) Well done you. It's nerve-wracking at first but soon you don't give a shit 🤣

Oh and muzzy on head! You can get really big ones x

Layers are your friend so you lift up and pull down. I also used to wear really lightweight pashminas and would loop it round to include baby. I could see down but no one else could.

Congratulations!

I felt nervous when first feeding in public.
Now iim breastfeeding my third and I really don’t think about any more. I think that not being anxious about it actually makes it a lot leas conspicuous - but it will take a few attempts to get to this point!

Winter is ideal as you can wear comfy high waisted leggings and a big jumper and no one can see anything when you lift the jumper up to latch baby. I found any “coverings” like a muslin just made both me and baby get flustered and I was way more likely to flash someone.

I agree with PPs about layers you can lift one up, pull one down. Or a button down blouse over a vest top so just unbutton a bit and pull the best down.

But I would also think, how often have I noticed a woman breastfeeding in public. For me, it’s not that often. Most people aren’t paying much attention to you, especially if the baby is quiet!

You’ll get quicker at latching her as well (and she’ll get quicker at doing it!) so pretty soon you’ll be able to undo a nursing bra, pull a vest down, lift a jumper and put her on pretty quickly.

Sit in front of a mirror at home to feed and you’ll see how little flesh is actually on show. In a cafe, choose a seat facing the wall if that makes you feel less on show. Is there anyone who could keep you company on your first few outings while you get the hang of things?

I bought nursing tops - I recommend JoJo Maman Bebe or Seraphine ones which you can buy from Next. Really easy to latch and feed baby without showing much.

I was really nervous feeding baby in public for the first time and sat in the corner of a cafe away from people. Also only really use cradle hold. It quickly becomes 2nd nature and I don’t think about it anymore.

I agree with the layers aspect, I gave birth in winter so didn't want my stomach cold while feeding because I had to lift my top up. I use to have thin vest tops on that I could pull down, and a jumper I could pull up.

In terms of confidence, that'll come. By the end of your breastfeeding era you'll be quick as a flash. I never gave a thought to doing it in public, you'll soon realise how few people are actually looking at you.

Mine was always the cradle hold, could never master the rest, we went from taking 40 mins to feed as a small baby to around 3-4 mins as a 6/7 month old. It just becomes second nature for both of you!

Congratulations on your baby and breastfeeding.
My little one is now two and still feeding. I was nervous at first about feeding in public but soon got the hang of it and stopped worrying. I personally didn’t use a cover.

Yes to high waisted leggings to keep your tummy warm or like others suggested a vest top under another top to do one up one down.

No one has ever commented on my breastfeeding except once in a Thai restaurant when he was about 6 months the staff all made a big fuss of baby and one of the older family members who owned the restaurant praised me for feeding him myself. I’ve also had staff in cafes where I have got myself a hot chocolate etc then sat down to feed come over to offer me water or is there anything they can get me which is lovely.

Thanks all! I wish I didn’t care but I feel like I don’t know what I’m doing at all and her latch is not brill so it takes me a little longer to get her on the boob.

I get so flustered putting the apron thing on.

I will definitely try the vest and jumper option!! Genius idea. Thank you!

Honestly, I personally wouldn't bother with the modesty apron or dedicated breastfeeding clothing. If you're trying to be modest I don't think those things help, to me they're just like waving a great big flag saying "Look, I'm breastfeeding over here!"

I just wear a loose fitted top or jumper, and feed in the bog standard cradle hold position. I hold top up a bit but so it's still pretty much covering everything, and bring baby's face up close so they can latch on without me exposing myself. That way to anyone not looking super closely it just looks like you're cradling your baby.

I use these breastfeeding tops, they’re really comfy and very discrete, I find it easier than the layers option (maybe I don’t have the right sort of vests!)

It gets so much easier once baby is a bit older and needs less support latching.

www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B085M2XGL8/ref=sspa_mw_detail_0?ie=UTF8&psc=1&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9waG9uZV9kZXRhaWw&aref=DNH36icOKb&sp_cr=ZAZ

I don't think you'll be as exposed as you think you are. With baby in cradle hold most of your abdomen is covered. I've found wearing shirts easier to latch than dedicated nursing clothes as lots of extra fabric and layers can just get in the way