Where / how to BF in West End shops (London) ? What about public transport?

[lowrib]

I'm planning a shopping trip with my little one. It will be my first big outing with my son (3 weeks old). Where / how do you BF in the West End?

My DP will be coming with me, we'll be going on a week day so not so busy, and I've discovered I'm pretty shameless about BFing in public, but this is all new to me! What's the etiquette? Where do you go to BF?

My son is feeding LOTS right now, so I know it might not be the most practical idea, but I'm healing really well, I need to get measured for a maternity bra, and anyway I am going a bit stir crazy in the house!!

Also the journey there involves a 45 minute bus journey. What if he needs to feed on the bus? I can't remember ever seeing anyone BF on public transport. Do people BF on buses? (Like I said I'm pretty shameless, but would like to at least know 'the rules' before I consider breaking them IYSWIM!)

I have BF on a bus - not a London one, but I would have if necessary. The only problem is if you are about to miss your stop (unless you've already mastered the art of feeding on the move)

Mostly you need to look for places where you'd be able to sit down BF or not - e.g. cafes, benches and sofas outside changing rooms all good. Enjoy your trip.

just feed wherever and whenever! the more blase you are about it the less people notice I have found.
ues, you can BF on a bus, people probably won't even notice.
then when you're out and baout just find somewhere to sit down and do it. I find a nice cafe with coffee and cake works best

You can bf anywhere
Not done it on the bus myself but tube certainly

John Lewis has a feeding room but it's not great
Peter Jones one is nicer

I bf in Harrods (in the kiddie cafe) and it was fine!

hi - you have a few options once you are "on the ground." John Lewis feeding room is basic but good for privacy. Another option I discovered recently is the Starbucks on the fourth floor in Selfridges. If you go to the back of the room, it's very private, and there are big comfy chairs. I think there's also a feeding room in the Mamas and Papas on Regents Street.

and yes, i have seen people breastfeed on the bus. Just take a big scarf to cover up if you feel self conscious.

I have fed on a london train and tonight I had to feed in the back seat of my (stationary) car when I was stuck for 1.5 hours due to a traffic accident!! (Not recommended but not sure what else I could do with a screaming, starving baby!) I honestly don't think anyone on the train noticed as people are usually in their own little London bubble/ have their head in heat magazine.

agree re John Lewis and P Jones. The feeding rooms are kitted out with those maternity rocking chairs they sell.

Never tried it on the bus. I think the main issue would be the poo that follows a BF when baby is that small; would you be happy to leave him till you got to John Lewis and its changing station?

I have fed on London Bridge train station while waiting for a train. A few people looked but only for a second. The only real discomfort was that it was cold and the wind was whistling around a bit! I don't thing anyone was offended and most people didn't notice. the suggestions above sound good.

No problem to BF anywhere in the west end, agree with other posters John Lewis has a lovely room, I really like Selfridges they have a baby feeding/changing area with those fancy rocking chairs on the 3rd floor. ones I would avoid unless you really have to are Mothercare the room was large but pretty dirty when I was last there(that was 3 months ago though) Debenhams tiny room for changing with only a tiny stool so not very comfortable I went with a friend also feeding baby and I ended up sitting on the floor so not ideal.

I have fed on London buses and also the underground you just need to be aware of your how far your stop is as it always comes quicker then you expect when you are occupied. I found it helped to get a seat in the drivers carridge as could sit discreetly in the corner not always possible I know, people are really not interested unless you make a real show of it its a lot easier as its so cold pashminas are great coverups. The more you do it the easier it becomes. Good luck

do not bother with feeding rooms in mothecrae / M&P - sit in the display rocke/glider chairs instead

debenhmas is even better as they have display sofas

learnign how to feed on the move (ie clasping babe to boob with one hand and pushign pram with the other) is a skill worth learning, but perhaps not on this trip

The JL room on the 5th floor (not advertised but next to the loos) is nicer than the 4th floor crowded one.

Any dept store cafe. M&S tends to have a comfy chair in a room/loos near the lingerie. My first trip was to JL for nursing bras too - I try to feed before setting off and then get to a bf room or similar, as buses are pretty wobbly, but tubes are easier (and each stop has seats).

Only real problem was once I got stuck on a bus in the City in rush hour - first stop had no-where to sit at all, 15 minutes to the next one, and A was too annoyed to feed by then! No room to feed on the bus even if I could do it standing. And then had to wait ages for a bus I could get on.

oh yes - I've found the public really don't notice, and if they do they much prefer a quiet bfing baby to a screaming hungry one!

Mrs Badger, I like your style!

I BF wherever physically possible. Once sitting on the floor in the middle of Brent Cross Shopping Centre ouside the ELC. I just cant stand the sound of screaming babies!

But to be comfortable and relaxed I would normally head for the nearest John Lewis as others have said, or find a tucked away table in Starbucks - there are always lots of parents in them.

Would agree with what others have said, but if your lo is screaming then just plonk yourself wherever. I have fed on a rush hour train - standing room only, and when I asked if someone could give me a seat so I could feed my baby 4 people jumped to their feet. Anything to shut dd up I think. I very much doubt any cafe will give you a problem, with teeny babies most people don't seem to notice anyway.

BTW if you would like a feeding bra that doesn't look like the product of a Soviet tractor factory, get measured at JL then have a look at HotMilk on figleaves dot com

Hi everyone,

Thanks so much for your great advice

MrsBadger I particularly like your idea - might have to work myself up to that one though!

Also really glad no one has said "the West End with a 3 week old - you must be mad!" it actually sounds quite do-able

have fed dd on london buses, no one bats an eyelid. enjoy the trip

Just to add that I fed on a normal (not underground) train once and I was surprised just how bumpy the journey was when you are trying to keep a baby attached - fine for bigger babies but a newborn might struggle a bit. I guess a London bus would be at a standstill for much of the journey so perhaps not a problem for you