Breast feeding in public is really hard!

[PRoseLegend]

I am envious of those mothers who can just whip a boob out, have their baby feed happily for 10-15 minutes on both sides, burp twice, and are done.

I have an 8 week old, and we had issues with a tongue tie to start with, and I have flat nipples too do getting a good latch was an issue. After being in incredible pain for 2 weeks I bought nipple shields, saw a lactation consultant, and got his tongue tie fixed. He now latches well off one side (but still needs a shield on the flatter nipple).

Anyway, when I feed in public, it generally goes something like this:
Baby latches onto the good side, fusses and screams when my overactive let-down sprays him in the face, needs burping, screams for food again, try the good side again, scream again, burp again, give up and try the other side, put the shield on, baby feeds happily on the shielded side with slower flow, then I inevitably drop the shield on the ground or milk spills everywhere, my breast is exposed while I'm taking shield on and off, baby screams when we use a cover...
I just feel like I can't win.
Short of staying at home on the couch or hiding in the parents room every time baby needs to feed, what can I do to make things easier when feeding in public?
Any hints or hacks from experienced mums?
Am I alone in finding public breastfeeding such a hassle?

It's practice really, older babies also feed more efficiently so it gets easier all the time.
Top tips are to put a muslin under your boob next to babies face when the spraying happens you can just subtly pop the nipple out and point into the muslin.
You won't anyways need nipple shields either, when baby is bigger they'll be better at latching.
Join a breastfeeding group, doing it in a supportive environment helps.
Also Bshirts are amazingly good to feed in public with, I'm a fan and have all the colours.

That does sound stressful! Well done for getting this far! It will get easier - I found it all very stressful to begin with but it does get easier with practice.

Wearing a loose jumper/top over a vest might make you feel less exposed. I did away with the cover after a while as trying to keep track of that as well was adding unnecessary stress - it was probably more discreet feeding without it. You might find as your supply settles your let down won't be so forceful, so you won't get the face spraying so much.

I jsut didn't care if I inadvertently flashed people - he's worse now at 7 MTHS s wnats to unlatch to gurgle at people walking by or stare. I've never used a cover. Tbh I was so tired and didn't want him shouting that feeding seemed a better option!
Hoenstly it gets easier but not sure if that's just because you start caring less or because baby gets more used to it
Well done for persevering

It gets easier! It also sounds like you have a lot of milk, might be worth getting some local support if it doesn't settle down, in the meantime try to sit back as you feed as opposed to leaning forward , this can help to slow the flow ! You are doing great mamma and I agree it is hard to feed in public!

I also have to use shields when feeding DS and it definitely makes it more of a faff! I was really nervous and self-conscious to start with too but I started off by going to baby groups and built up from there. I bought some proper breastfeeding tops when I started off to make things a bit easier. I also went to pretty much all the cafes in town until I found a couple where I felt most comfortable, with friendly staff and which are large enough to find somewhere where I could feed discretely. But the biggest thing for me was just learning to get on with it: I realised most people are way too busy with their own stuff to pay too much attention to what’s going on on the next table! Good luck