Have you seen the latest ads the UK government is running to encourage more women to breast feed in public? An animated advert shows a new mum joining another woman at a table in a cafe before swathing herself and her baby in a bright yellow nursing scarf the size of a curtain, prompting the other woman to put on a pair of sunglasses.
What they’re getting at is that it’s ok to just whip them out in public and there’s no need to cover up.
I’ve never bothered with a tailor made nursing cover when breast feeding in public, mainly because having given birth and had all manner of strangers (ok, medical professionals) peer, poke and man-handle my foo foo I couldn’t give a monkeys if someone happens to glimpse a bit of areola in a coffee shop. If it puts them off their latte then, well, tough tits.
But I totally understand why those who do give a monkeys feel awkward and intimidated at the prospect, so I’m all for a bit of public service encouragement.
Having breastfed two babies in public over the course of three years now (in hair & make up at This Morning next to Sir Terry Wogan was a high point, at a bus stop in the pouring rain is probably the lowest point) I thought now would be a good time to share 5 tips for breast feeding in public:
1. Your favourite underwired bra might be the best one to go with the pre-baby top you really want to wear again but think about the logistics of wrestling a boob out of it and into the baby’s mouth in public. You don’t have to forgo the pre-baby top, just wear a drop-down nursing bra with a drop-down nursing vest under it for easy access (I love Jo Jo Maman Bebe for vests).
2. Look for a chair with a back and arms in the corner or side of the room so you don’t have people all around you and you can sit back and rest your arm comfortably while feeding. Sitting on a stool in the middle of a café doesn’t make for a comfy feed.
3. If you’re in a coffee shop sit as far away from the clatter of the counter and noise of the coffee machine as possible. There’s nothing like hissing steam, the clinking of glass and clanking of plates to interrupt a baby feeding.
4. Take your breast pad out and put it somewhere safe. After shoving it further down my bra and either having it fall out later or realising that I’ve been walking round with an unsightly lump in my cleavage, I now tuck it under the leg of the side I’m feeding on and put it back in afterwards.
5. Know what you’re going to say if someone challenges you. It’s actually against the law for someone to ask you to stop breast feeding in a public place or to go somewhere else to do it. I’ve never been asked to move or stop feeding in public (in fact I often get encouraging smiles and nice comments) but I’ve always got a response planned in my head just in case as there’s nothing worse than knowing you’re in the right and wishing afterwards you’d said this or that. My response would be that if you can eat and drink here, then so can my baby. It’s also worth googling what to say – there are some hilarious suggestions.
How do you feel about breast feeding in public? Is it just like feeding at home or a big no-no?
Public Health England has put together lots of helpful hints & tips on breastfeeding on their Start4Life website, and there’s also a Facebook page featuring videos and breast feeding stories from real mums. It’s worth a look!
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Yeah I was well up for it. I loved feeding my son when we were travelling somewhere (on the train! Don’t drink and drive kids) It helped pass the time and meant he was fed and happy when we arrived at our destination. Being a gobby one I secretly wanted someone to call me out so I could give them a piece of my mind but no one said anything ever. Actually one woman said, ‘now he’s had his lunch you can have yours’ when I gave him a quick feed in the pub once but that was it.
People have only ever said nice things to me too – perhaps I look like the sort of person who would give them a piece of my mind so they wouldn’t dare!
In HK, the number of women who breastfeed is very, very low so it’s rare to see someone feeding in public. I do use a feeding cover (the bebelait muslin cover is fantastic) but only because I can’t handle the staring when I use the cover, let alone without! But, I have also had some older HK women congratulate me for persevering so it’s not all bad.
Once, at a well known hotel, despite having the cover, I was told that I had to move to the toilets. I challenged the staff and in the end was ‘allowed’ to stay. In all honesty, I think it was the member of staff who was in the wrong and not the hotel’s policy.
Whether it’s deemed acceptable or not is very much a cultural thing too – poor you and well done for standing your ground! That probably would have sent me to pieces!x
Of course breastfeeding in public is fine. But I am ashamed to say that I hated it. Not the exposure bit but the fiddliness of trying to get baby to nipple in an uncomfy seat whilst wearing lots of layers. And then being stuck there for 45 minutes whilst his highness took his sweet time. Though I did used to enjoy feeding him in the park on sunny days! #fromtheheart
I’ve been lucky in that both of mine have latched on really easily – those eternal feeds can be a pain if you’re out and about though!
Confession…I’m a bit of an extreme breastfeeder. It’s partly cultural since most of Brazil is still super baby and boob-friendly. Now I’m in Portugal but so far I’ve only had positive comments, if any. Call me controversial but I feel that breastfeeding covers and cloths sometimes make it more obvious that something is going on than just slily whipping it out from under your top? And yes, a comfortable, easy-extraction bra is a must. Thanks for sharing #fromtheheart
I’ve never used a cover or cloth either for the same reason, but I have friends who wouldn’t dream of getting one out without one. I guess it depends on your disposition!x
I struggled with breast feeding in general – it just didn’t work well for me, but hats off to all those women who can freely feed their babies wherever they need to!
I found my other half seemed very over protective when I was attempting to breast feed, even in the comfort of our home, he would pull the curtain if I was sitting near the window, and he seemed really embarrassed when my brother was in the same room.
I’m sorry to hear that – it’s a shame your other half felt that way but I guess everyone deals with it differently x
love this! haha I was always a bit awkward breastfeeding in public but I did it anyway because I had a porker who would cry instead so I always thought – do you want a screaming baby or a bit of side boob with your breakfast haha I am far less modest now than I was ! if i had another one I would probably whip them out left right and centre and who cares :p Great post though! #howtosunday
Glad you like it! I whip mine out anywhere now and couldn’t give a monkeys!!
I m due in three weeks with my first baby and I can’t wait to brestfeed her. Hopefully it all works out for us. As for breastfeeding in public I don’t have a problem with it at all but I will hve to wait till she arrives to see how comfortable I am myself in feeding in public xx #HowToSunday
It’s hard to imagine when it hasn’t happened yet isn’t it! Good luck and how exciting – I hope everything goes smoothly!x
Great tips! Thankfully, I have not been challenged yet. I would probably explore if someone does though – not cool I know but it really does get me. Ummmm – palms together. #HowtoSunday
Yes me too!
Great list of tips! We (me & baby) were never naturals at breastfeeding, it took 8 weeks for him to latch. He was fed expressed breastmilk by bottle during that time and we just continued the bottle feeding when we were out. I half expected judgement for bottle feeding, even though I knew it breastmilk, others didn’t. Nobody ever said anything but I always felt awkward. I kind of feel you’re damned if you do and damned if you don’t when it comes to breastfeeding in public. Info like this is so helpful.
My mum said when she had expressed milk in a bottle when looking after my two she felt the need to say ‘by the way it’s breastmilk’. So sad!x
Great advice! I’ve breastfed both my boys, still breastfeeding my 2 year old, not as often in public any more, but still occasionally. I think I tried using a scarf as a cover once and then gave up after 2 minutes of faffing and fighting over the scarf with the baby! Like you I have breastfed everywhere, in front of anyone, I couldn’t care less, but all I have ever got is smiles and nice comments. I did a get strange look when sitting on a track when A was a newborn, feeding him whilst his big brother threw stones into a big puddle next to me, but if they’re hungry, they should get fed! There are only a few people out there who don’t want to see it and they can just turn the other way! Thanks so much for linking up to #HowtoSunday 🙂 x
I’m glad to hear you’ve enjoyed it too – Little B is 14 months now & I still feed him in public x
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